ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, SportsAlabama Baseball Picked to Finish Third in SEC Western Division

Alabama Baseball Picked to Finish Third in SEC Western Division

The Alabama baseball team is picked to finish third in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference preseason coaches poll, as announced by the conference on Monday. The Tide finished tied for second in the SEC Western Division a year ago with a 14-16 conference record.

Alabama is coming off a 35-28 campaign in 2011, advancing to the NCAA Tallahassee Regional, and return 21 letterwinners and six starters from last year's squad. Third-year head coach Mitch Gaspard has guided the Tide back-to-back second place Western Division finishes in his first two years at The Capstone.

UA's top returning player, two-time All-American and Gold Glove Award winning outfielder Taylor Dugas, returns for his senior season after leading the Tide with a .349 batting average and eight home runs last season. Senior shortstop Jared Reaves will anchor the infield, after leading Alabama with 47 RBI and 22 doubles a year ago. 

The Crimson Tide's season and home opener is set for Friday, Feb. 17, at 6:05 p.m., when UA hosts the Florida Atlantic Owls in the first game of a three-game series at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. 

To purchase season tickets for the 31-game, 2012 Alabama baseball home schedule, call the ticket office at 1.877.TIDETIX or log on to www.RollTide.com.

2012 SEC Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll

Eastern Division

Team                                   Pts.         2011 SEC Finish

1) Florida                              66           22-8 (T1st)

2) South Carolina                 56           22-8 (T1st)

3) Georgia                             42           16-14 (4th)

4) Vanderbilt                         40           22-8 (T1st)

5) Kentucky                           25           8-22 (5th)

6) Tennessee                        18           7-23 (6th)

Western Division        

Team                                      Pts.          2011 SEC Finish

1) Arkansas                             64               15-15 (1st)

2) LSU                                     58               13-17 (T5th)

3) Alabama                             38               14-16 (T2nd)

4) Mississippi                          34               13-17 (T5th)

5) Mississippi State                33               14-16 (T2nd)

6) Auburn                               20              14-16 (T2nd)

SEC Champion: Florida