Long Beach State University Athletics
Dirtbags picked to finish third in Big West Preseason Poll
1/24/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Jan. 24, 2012
Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State was picked to finish in third place in the Big West Preseason Poll, released today by the Big West Conference office.
The Dirtbags were slated just behind Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine, who split the first place votes with the Titans getting the nod from the coaches, and UC Irvine getting the nod from three. Cal State Fullerton was picked to defend its 2010 championship, but were only six points in front of the UC Irvine.
Long Beach State was next with 58 points, just in front of Cal Poly with 54 points. UC Riverside was in the middle with 44 points, while UC Santa Barbara was picked sixth with 37 points. Pacific, UC Davis and Cal State Northridge rounded out the predicted order.
The Dirtbags return 24 letterwinners, including seven starters as Long Beach State looks to continue their improvement from 2011, which saw the team return over .500 and finish in fourth place in the Big West Conference in their first year under Troy Buckley. Second-Team All-Big West infielder Matt Duffy leads Long Beach State, along with starting pitcher and senior Shawn Stuart.
The Big West Preseason Poll is compiled from votes from each of the conference's nine head baseball coaches.
2012 Big West Preseason Coaches Poll
- Cal State Fullerton (6) - 76
- UC Irvine (3) - 70
- Long Beach State - 58
- Cal Poly - 54
- UC Riverside - 44
- UC Santa Barbara 37
- Pacific - 25
- UC Davis - 23
- Cal State Northridge - 18
