HAMMOND – In a preseason poll, the baseball coaches in the Southland Conference picked Southeastern Louisiana to finish second in conference play during the 2012 season.
A pair of Lions, Brock Hebert and Jonathan Pace, were also named to the preseason All-Conference team.
Southeastern was picked to finish behind Texas State for the second consecutive season. Texas State received 121 points and all 11 possible first-place votes. (Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team).
The Lions accumulated 88 points followed by Stephen F. Austin (84), Texas-San Antonio (82) and Sam Houston State (77 points and a single first-place vote). Rounding out the rest of the conference are Lamar, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Texas-Arlington, McNeese State, Northwestern State, Nicholls State and Central Arkansas.
Southeastern (88 points) was picked to finish third by the conference's Sports Information Directors. Texas State (121 points and 11 first place votes) was again a unanimous number one with Stephen F. Austin (92) receiving the other first place vote.
Following Texas State, SFA and the Lions in the SID poll are UTSA, Lamar, Sam Houston State, A&M-Corpus Christi, UTA, McNeese State and Nicholls State tied for ninth, Northwestern State and Central Arkansas.
A pair of Lions were selected to the preseason All-Conference second team. Jonathan Pace was selected at first base and Brock Hebert was picked at second base.
The two infielders finished one-two in hitting last season for Southeastern. Pace hit .343 with one home run and 39 RBI. Hebert hit .340 with two home runs and 31 RBI.
Six Texas State players were named to the All-Conference teams. Stephen F. Austin and UTSA each had three players earn preseason all-conference honors, while McNeese State, Nicholls State and Northwestern State each had two selections. Central Arkansas, Lamar, Sam Houston State and UT Arlington had one each.
Preseason Banquet and Alumni Game
The Lions will host their annual spring banquet Friday at 6 p.m. in Twelve Oaks on the Southeastern campus. Individual tickets are $25 and will allow fans the opportunity meet and dine with the team. Tickets will be available at the door.
At the banquet, Artigues will present the inaugural Lion For Life Award to former Southeastern baseball player and head coach Greg Marten. The award goes to the Lion baseball alumnus the coaching staff feels best represents the program through community involvement.
To wrap up the weekend, the Lions will host an alumni game Saturday at 1p.m. Admission to the game is free and will feature Lion baseball alumni squaring off against the 2012 squad. Free hot dogs will also be available.
Information provided by SLU Athletics
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