CINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati baseball team was picked seventh in the 2011 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches’ Poll, the conference announced Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Cincinnati tied with Notre Dame for seventh in the poll after receiving 56 points, while Connecticut led the way with 117 points, followed by St. John’s (107) and Louisville (105).

If the prediction holds true, it would be the second consecutive seventh-place finish for the Bearcats, who ended the 2010 season with a 13-14 mark in BIG EAST play and a .500 record overall at 29-29.

The Bearcats will have 15 new players and 16 returning letterwinners in 2011, including RHP pitcher Andrew Strenge, shortstop Chris Peters and outfielder Justin Riddell.

Last season Strenge, a sophomore from Yardley, Pa., set a BIG EAST record with a 0.62 ERA in BIG EAST games as a freshman. Overall, he went 7-1 with a 1.93 ERA to lead a strong Bearcat staff.

Peters, a senior from Tipp City, Ohio, finished second on the team a .294 batting average and 15 stolen bases in 2010, while posting 12 doubles and 27 RBI.

Riddell, a senior from Lexington, Ky., led the Bearcats last year with a .313 batting average, hit eight home runs and drove in 29 runs in 53 games. In conference-only games, he increased his average to a team-high .360.

The Bearcats begin the 2011 season on Friday, Feb. 18, vs. Ohio State in the BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge in St. Petersburg, Fla. Their first home game of the year is Friday, March 4, vs. Youngstown State at Marge Schott Stadium.

2011 Preseason BIG EAST Baseball Coaches’ Poll
1. Connecticut (9) 117
2. St. John’s (2) 107
3. Louisville (1) 105
4. USF 87
5. Pittsburgh 82
6. Rutgers 75
7. Cincinnati 56
Notre Dame 56
9. West Virginia 38
10. Villanova 31
11. Seton Hall 25
12. Georgetown 13

http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-baseb...11aaa.html

Man I sure hope we do better than 7th.

Speaking of baseball, doesn't TCU have a pretty decent baseball team? I wonder where they will fit in when they play other BE teams.

(01-05-2011 04:27 PM)cinbinsportsfan Wrote:  Speaking of baseball, doesn't TCU have a pretty decent baseball team? I wonder where they will fit in when they play other BE teams.

Pre season #1 in some publication. They have a very strong baseball program and will fit in very nicely against every team. Would like to see them agaisnt UCONN this season before that team leaves or UofL.

Safe to say - Big East baseball has been upgraded with the addition of TCU.

will the baseball team get to use the bubble for practice?

(01-05-2011 10:16 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  will the baseball team get to use the bubble for practice?

Yes, and I think it will really help get this team ready early.