Diamond Dogs 24th In Preseason NCBWA Poll
Mississippi State’s Baseball Bulldogs have garnered another preseason national ranking, tabbed 24th in the poll conducted by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
Arizona State is ranked first in the NCBWA poll, with North Carolina, Rice, South Carolina and Arizona rounding out the top five.
The Southeastern Conference placed an NCAA-leading seven teams in the preseason top 35. SEC teams featured in the poll include No. 4 South Carolina, No. 7 Mississippi, No. 8 Vanderbilt, No. 24 Mississippi State, No. 25 Kentucky, No. 34 Louisiana State and No. 35 Arkansas. Two of Mississippi State’s 2008 non-conference foes are also ranked in the initial NCBWA poll — Cadence Classic opponent Baylor University (No. 26) and instate rival Southern Miss (No. 34).
In December the Bulldogs were ranked 27th in the preseason “Fabulous 40″ rankings conducted by Arizona-based Collegiate Baseball newspaper.
Mississippi State, with 20 lettermen and four position starters returning from last year’s College World Series edition, begins preseason practice at Dudy Noble Field Feb. 4. The Bulldogs open their 2008 season on the road in Jacksonville, Fla., Feb. 22-24 with a three-game series against first-time opponent North Florida. State then returns to Starkville, opening a 14-game homestand with a Feb. 26 meeting with UAB.
This week’s NCBWA poll has representation by 10 different conferences among the 293 baseball-playing schools in the 2008 NCAA Division I ranks.
Via Athletic Media Relations
