Feb. 1, 2011

Fresno State is favorite in tight WAC preseason poll

Having won four of the past five regular-season titles, Fresno State was picked to continue that success as the Western Athletic Conference released its preseason poll as voted by the league’s head coaches.

The Bulldogs garnered four first-place votes and 32 points to edge second-place Hawaii. The Rainbows, last season’s WAC Tournament champs, picked up two first-place votes and 30 points. Nevada received the other first-place vote and took third, followed by San Jose State, New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech and Sacramento State.

The WAC will begin its 49th year of baseball on Friday, Feb. 18, as all seven teams will be in action. Conference series start April 8. The six-team WAC Tournament will be played May 25-28/29 at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz.

WAC Preseason Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2010 WAC, Overall Records)

1. Fresno State, 32 (4) (16-8, 38-25)
2. Hawaii, 30 (2) (12-12, 35-28)
3. Nevada, 25 (1) (14-9-1, 36-22-1)
4. San Jose State, 24 (9-15, 23-37)
5. New Mexico State, 16 (14-9-1, 36-23-1)
6. Louisiana Tech, 14 (11-13, 27-30)
7. Sacramento State, 6 (7-17, 18-35-1)