FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
Oklahoma has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2013 Big 12 baseball regular season. In a vote by the league’s head coaches, the Sooners earned six first-place votes, totaling 62 points. League newcomer TCU tallied the remaining three first-place votes and 55 points for the second place spot.
This marks the second time the Sooners have been tabbed to win the Conference’s regular season title. In 2011, OU also received six first-place votes. Oklahoma has never claimed a Big 12 title and has won the postseason crown on just one occasion – at the inaugural event in 1997.
Oklahoma posted a 42-25 mark last season and reached its third Super Regional in program history. OU is looking to make its sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 36th overall. The Sooners have reached the CWS on 10 previous occasions, winning national championships in 1951 and ‘94. Their last appearance came in 2010.
OU enters the 2013 season ranked No. 14 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, No. 16 in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll, No. 17 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, No. 19 by Baseball America and No. 20 by Perfect Game.
Following TCU, Texas was voted to finish third with Baylor (fourth) and Oklahoma State (fifth) following and Texas Tech earning the No. 6 spot. Kansas State, Kansas and West Virginia round out the poll.
The Big 12 baseball season begins on Friday, Feb. 15, with conference play kicking off the weekend of March 15.
2013 BIG 12 BASEBALL PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL
1. Oklahoma (6) 62
2. TCU (3) 55
3. Texas 48
4. Baylor 47
5. Oklahoma State 38
6. Texas Tech 28
7. K-State 20
8. Kansas 18
9. West Virginia 8
