Jan. 13, 2003

Los Angeles, Calif. - The Loyola Marymount baseball team has been selected by the West Coast Conference coaches as the favorite to win the West Division in the WCC Preseason Poll, after placing third last season. The Lions received three first place votes, along with Pepperdine, who is the preseason favorite to win the WCC and the Coast Division.

San Diego, the defending WCC champions, received the remaining two first place votes and tied LMU with 40 total votes.

The Lions have won the league on six occasions, including three times in the last five years. LMU returns seven of its nine starters from a year ago, including first-team All-WCC tandem Sean Smith (second base) and Billy Lockin (shortstop). The Lions also return 10 pitchers from last year's staff including aces Josh Muecke, Vince Cordova and Justin Abreu.

The Lions will host their annual Alumni Game this Sunday at 2 p.m. LMU's first official game will be Feb. 7, when the Lions travel to No. 25 California-Berkeley.

2003 WCC Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll
Place School (First Place Votes) Points
1. Pepperdine        (3)           45
2. Loyola Marymount  (3)           40
2. San Diego         (2)           40
4. Santa Clara                     33
5. Gonzaga                         26
6. Portland                        14
6. San Francisco                   14
8. Saint Mary's                    12


West Division
1.	LMU
2.	San Diego
3.	Portland
4.	USF


Coast Division
1.	Pepperdine
2.	Santa Clara
3.	Gonzaga
4.	Saint Mary's