2017 WCC Preseason Poll/All-WCC Selections

On the heels of a season for which he was named first team All-West Coast Conference, senior Phil Caulfield has been tabbed a 2017 Preseason All-WCC pick headed into the new year.

Caulfield, who hit .309 overall in 2016, caught fire in WCC play, hitting .379 with 17 runs scored, two doubles, two triples and 14 RBI in 25 games played against conference foes. The native of Burlingame, Calif. swiped four of his eight total stolen bases in WCC play, while also hitting safely in 11 of his final 12 WCC contests. Overall on the year, Caulfied appeared in 47 games (40 starts) and finished second on the team in average. Caulfield scored 27 runs, drew nine walks and six hit-by-pitches, and stole eight bases.

In addition to announcing the Preseason All-WCC picks, the conference office also announced the results of the Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll. The Lions are picked to finish seventh in the standings, as San Diego earned five first-place votes to edge Gonzaga for the top spot. The Toreros were also picked to win the conference last year.

All told, eight of the 10 WCC schools are represented on the preseason All-West Coast Conference team, led by defending champions Gonzaga, which placed two position players and a pitcher and Saint Mary's, which had a position player join two pitchers on the preseason list. BYU, San Diego and San Francisco each placed a pair on the team.

The 2017 season begins on February 17 as the Lions hit the road for an opening weekend series at 2016 College World Series qualifier UC Santa Barbara. LMU will host Tennessee on Wednesday, February 22 in its home-opener from Page Stadium at 6 p.m.