Feb. 15, 2011

click here for coaches' Southland preseason poll

CollegeBaseballInsider.com asked college coaches around the country to preview the 2011 college baseball season by sharing their insights on the teams and players to watch in their conferences. CBI compiled their answers to provide a sneak peek for the season ahead. click here for CBI Conference Previews

Today, we take a look at the Southland Conference (seven of 12 coaches responded).

The team to beat is: Texas State

Rank the top three starting pitchers: *Carson Smith, Texas State; Luke Irvine, Northwestern State; Tyler Herriage, Stephen F. Austin

The top closer is: Zach Calhoon, UTSA (pictured right)

The pitcher you least want to face is: Carson Smith, Texas State

The most underrated pitcher is: Tyler Herriage, Stephen F. Austin

The best defensive catcher is: Aaron Munoz, Northwestern State

The best catcher arm is: Aaron Munoz, Northwestern State

The best defensive infielder is: Jace Peterson, McNeese State

The best infield arm is: Kyle Kubitza, Texas State

The best defensive outfielder is: Bret Atwood, Texas State

The best outfield arm is: Lee Orr, McNeese State

Rank the three best pure hitters: Jace Peterson, McNeese State (pictured right); Kyle Kubitza, Texas State; Braeden Riley, Sam Houston State

Rank the three biggest power threats: Lee Orr, McNeese State; Ryan Dalton, UTSA; Trey Hernandez, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi

The hitter you least want to face is: (tie) Bret Atwood, Texas State; and Jace Peterson, McNeese State

The toughest hitter to strike out is: (tie) Braeden Riley, Sam Houston State; and Tyler Sibley, Texas State

The most underrated hitter is: no player received more than one vote

The best base-runner is: Jace Peterson, McNeese State

The best game coach is: Mark Johnson, Sam Houston State

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: (tie) Jim Blair, Sam Houston State; and Jason Marshall, UTSA

*unanimous selection

(photos courtesy of UTSA & McNeese State Media Relations Offices)