Arkansas picked to win SEC by league coaches

FAYETTEVILLE – The top-ranked Arkansas baseball team was picked to the win the Southeastern Conference Western Division and the overall SEC title by the league’s coaches, as announced on Tuesday by the conference office.

The Razorbacks finished with 90 points overall, 15 points more than LSU, which had 75 points to finish second. Arkansas had 12 first place votes in the Western Division and nine votes as overall conference champion. Mississippi State was projected to finish third with 59 points, while Ole Miss was picked fourth with 54 points. Texas A&M was fifth with 51 points, Alabama was sixth with 26 points and Auburn was seventh with 24 points.

In the Eastern Division, Vanderbilt was picked to win the division title with 89 points. Florida was picked second with 67 points, while Kentucky and South Carolina tied for third with 59 points. Georgia was projected fifth with 41 points, Tennessee was picked sixth with 29 points and Missouri was picked seventh with 23 points.

Points were compiled on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis for each division. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. Each coach also voted for one team as an overall conference champion.

The Razorbacks enter the 2013 season as the nation’s preseason No. 1 team in the three polls. Arkansas returns 17 letterwinners from the 2012 team, including five position starters and 10 pitchers. Last season, the Razorbacks finished with a 46-22 record and advanced to the College World Series for the seventh time in program history, finishing in a tie for third.

Arkansas opens the 2013 season on Friday when it hosts Western Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Season tickets for Arkansas’ 34-game home schedule are now on sale. Season tickets are $190 for adults and $140 for University of Arkansas staff, youth and senior citizens. Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-982-HOGS (4647) or by visiting the online ticket center at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

2013 SEC Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll
Western Division
1. Arkansas, 90 points (12 first place votes)
2. LSU, 75 points (1)
3. Mississippi State, 59 points (1)
4. Ole Miss, 54 points
5. Texas A&M, 51 points
6. Alabama, 26 points
7. Auburn, 24 points

Eastern Division
1. Vanderbilt, 89 points (12)
2. Florida, 67 points
3. Kentucky, 59 points (1)
    South Carolina, 59 points (1)
5. Georgia, 41 points
6. Tennessee, 29 points
7. Missouri, 23 points

SEC Champion: Arkansas (9), Vanderbilt (3), Kentucky (1), LSU (1)