Feb.
17, 2009
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San
Diego and Pepperdine Share Top Spot in WCC Poll
San Diego and Pepperdine each garnered 45 points
to share the No. 1 position in the West Coast Conference
Preseason Poll, in voting by the league’s head coaches and
released by the conference office.
The Toreros received four first-place votes,
while the Waves earned three first-place votes. Santa Clara
claimed third place with 35 points. Gonzaga got one first-place
vote and 30 points for fourth, followed by San Francisco, Loyola
Marymount, Saint Mary’s and Portland.
USD
has won the past two WCC championships. The Toreros, under head
coach Rich Hill, reached the title game of the Long Beach
Regional a season ago before falling to eventual national
champion Fresno State. Junior reliever A.J. Griffin and
sophomore starters Kyle Blair (pictured right) and Sammy Solis
will anchor the pitching staff, while junior outfielder James
Meador will guide the offense.
Pepperdine reached the WCC Championship Series in
2008. The Waves, under skipper Steve Rodriguez, earned an NCAA
at-large bid and reached the title game of the Stanford Regional
before falling to the host Cardinal. Pepperdine has one of the
top relievers in the nation in senior Nick Gaudi. Senior
right-hander Nathan Newman was First Team All-WCC a year ago, as
were senior infielders Ryan Heroy and Bryce Mendonca..
WCC Preseason Poll
1. San Diego (4) 45
1. Pepperdine (3) 45
3. Santa Clara 35
4. Gonzaga (1) 30
5. San Francisco 26
6. Loyola Marymount 20
7. Saint Mary’s 14
8. Portland 9
(photo courtesy of USD Media
Relations Office) |