Feb. 14, 2012

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The LMU baseball team was tabbed as the 76th-best team in the nation according to Perfect Game's Preseason Top-100 list. The WCC fared well in the poll, as eight of the nine conference teams are listed in the Top-100. The rankings were compiled by Kendall Rogers and Allan Simpson.

Reigning WCC Champions, San Francisco, came in atop the WCC players on the list, grabbing No. 48 overall. Gonzaga came in at No. 61, followed by San Diego (No. 63), LMU, BYU (No. 82), Saint Mary's (No. 85), Pepperdine (No. 95) and Portland (No. 98). According to the annual preseason coaches' poll, LMU was picked to finish fourth in the WCC.

Fresh off a national runner-up finish last season, the Florida Gators welcome back an excellent pitching staff and productive offensive lineup. Most importantly, the Gators have the experience and want to win the program's first national title. It's precisely why the Gators headline the Perfect Game College Top 100.

While the Gators lead the way, defending two-time champion South Carolina isn't far behind at No. 3. The Gamecocks welcome back an excellent crop of pitchers, but have some large holes to fill at the plate.

Stanford is nestled between the Gators and Gamecocks at No. 2. The Cardinal reached an NCAA Super Regional last season, and welcomes back an excellent club this spring with top prospect and right-handed pitcher Mark Appel, and third baseman Stephen Piscotty leading the charge.

After the Gators, Cardinal and Gamecocks, Rice, who didn't finish last season in Omaha, begins the 2012 campaign at No. 4 with a very experienced club, while familiar faces North Carolina, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Georgia Tech, Texas and LSU round out the top 10, with Arizona sitting just outside at No. 11.

LMU begins the 2012 season this Friday at home when UNLV comes to town for a game at 1 p.m.

For a complete listing of the Top-100, please Click Here