Jan. 23, 2002
San Diego - San Diego State University received four first-place votes to headline the 2002 Mountain West Conference preseason baseball coaches poll, marking the third straight year SDSU has been tabbed the MWC favorite.
The Aztecs collected 24 points to capture the top spot in the poll. BYU received two first-place votes and 22 points to place second in the poll, followed by Utah at No. 3 with 14 points, No. 4 UNLV with 12 points, No. 5 New Mexico with 11 points and No. 6 Air Force with five points.
San Diego State posted a 34-26 overall record last season, while finishing second in the MWC regular season at 19-11 and placing second at the MWC Championship.
The Aztecs return four all-conference performers from a year ago, including Taber Lee (Jr., SS), Royce Ring (Jr., P), Carlo Cota (2B, Sr.) and Rory Shortell (P, Jr.). Ring has been tabbed a second-team preseason All-American by Collegiate Baseball while sophomore outfielder Anthony Gwynn received the same honor from Baseball America.
The Aztecs open their 2002 season next week when they travel to Hawaii-Hilo for a five-game series beginning Thursday, Jan. 31. SDSU plays its home opener on Tuesday, Feb. 5, when UC Riverside visits Tony Gwynn Stadium for a 6:00 p.m. start.
MWC Preseason Baseball Coaches PollPl Team (1st votes) Pts1. San Diego State (4)...242. Brigham Young (2).....223. Utah..................144. UNLV..................125. New Mexico............116. Air Force..............5