LCU Tops First Place Votes

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 27, 2011) - In an odd-looking coaches’ preseason poll, Oklahoma City University is picked to win the Sooner Athletic Conference baseball title for 2012 despite Lubbock Christian University receiving the most first-place votes.

While Lubbock Christian had seven of 11 first-place votes, Oklahoma City won the balloting with four first-place votes and six second-place votes for 94 points to Lubbock Christian’s 93. LCU received no second-place votes.  Oklahoma Baptist is ranked third in the poll with 84 points, followed by Rogers State with 75 points. Science and Arts of Oklahoma is tied with Wayland Baptist for sixth at 57 points.  Oklahoma Christian is ranked eighth in the poll at 47, followed by Northwestern Oklahoma State at 38, Southern Nazarene at 28, Mid-America Christian at 17 and St. Gregory’s at 15.

The Stars won the league regular season title last season at 26-4, finishing the season with a 47-12 record. Lubbock Christian had 50 wins in 2011. Rogers State won the conference tournament.  OCU, LCU, Rogers State and Oklahoma Baptist all reached the NAIA postseason with the Stars, Chaparrals and Bison all making it to the NAIA World Series in Idaho, where LCU finished as the runner-up.

School              Points   2011 Poll          2011 Finish

1. Oklahoma City (4)      94         2          1

2. Lubbock Christian (7) 93         1          3

3. Oklahoma Baptist      84         4          2

4. Rogers State             75         7          4

5. (T) USAO      57         8          T-6

5. (T) Wayland Baptist   57         3          T-6

7. Oklahoma Christian    47         9          5

8. Southern Nazarene     28         6          10

9. Northwestern OSU     38         5          T-9

10. Mid-America Christ.  17         10         T-6

11. St. Gregory's           15         11         11