FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2009

Southern Baseball picked to finish 7th in MIAA preseason coaches poll

Kansas City, Mo. - The Missouri Southern baseball team has been picked to finish seventh in the MIAA preseason coaches poll as announced by the league office today. Coaches in the MIAA voted on the league's first-ever pre-season poll.

The Lions, coming off of a 19-33 record in 2008, return seven position starters and their top seven hitters from a season ago. Seniors Juan Hernandez and Derek Ezell return after both being named All-MIAA in 2008.

Last year's MIAA Tournament Champ Central Missouri is the preseason favorite to repeat as MIAA Champions this year. The Mules won the 2008 Regional Championship and advanced to the Division II Championship Series.

Emporia State and Nebraska-Omaha were second and third and both were regional selections in 2008. Fort Hays was No. 4 followed by Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western, Southern, Washburn, Pittsburg State, Southwest Baptist and Truman.

The Lions open up the 2009 season at home on February 10 against Northeastern State with a double-header at Joe Becker Stadium at 1 pm.

2009 MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll

   School                    Pts.
 1. Central Missouri (9)        99
 2. Emporia State (2)           92
 3. Nebraska-Omaha              78
 4. Fort Hays State             69
 5. Northwest Missouri State    60
 6. Missouri Western            58
 7. Missouri Southern           52
 8. Washburn                    34
 9. Pittsburg State             33
10. Southwest Baptist           18
11. Truman                      12

Points awarded on an 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. Coaches could not vote for their own school.