Baseball picked second in SEC West

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Arkansas was picked to finish second in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference by the league’s coaches, as announced on Tuesday afternoon by the league office.

The Razorbacks received 49 points overall to come in second. LSU was tabbed as the division favorite by the league’s coaches, picking up 63 points overall. Rounding out the order of predicted finish in the Western Division were Auburn (46 points), Ole Miss (40 points), Alabama (33 points) and Mississippi State (17 points).

In the Eastern Division, Florida was the runaway choice to win the division title. The Gators received 66 points overall. Florida was also picked to be the overall league champion. Vanderbilt was picked to finish second, picking up a total of 55 points. South Carolina (48 points), Kentucky (33 points), Georgia (26 points) and Tennessee (17 points) rounded out the predictions for the Eastern Division.

Points were compiled on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 bases 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.

Arkansas, ranked 24th in a pair of preseason polls, is coming off a 43-21 season in 2010, including a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals. The Razorbacks return 13 letterwinners and four starters from last year’s squad.

Arkansas opens the 2011 regular season this weekend with a three-game series against Delaware State. The series opens on Friday at 3:05 p.m. First pitch on Saturday and Sunday is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Tickets for all Arkansas baseball home games may be purchased by calling 1-800-982-HOGS (4647) or by visiting the online ticket center at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

2011 SEC Preseason Coaches PollEastern Division1. Florida, 66 points2. Vanderbilt, 55 points3. South Carolina, 48 points4. Kentucky, 33 points5. Georgia, 26 points6. Tennessee, 17 points

Western Division1. LSU, 63 points2. Arkansas, 49 points3. Auburn, 46 points4. Ole Miss, 40 points5. Alabama, 33 points6. Mississippi State, 17 points

SEC Champion: Florida