Florida Tech Picked Second in SSC Preseason Poll

By  //  January 17, 2014

Panthers right behind preseason favorite Tampa

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA — The Sunshine State Conference released their 2014 preseason baseball poll on Thursday. The Florida Tech Panthers were selected by SSC head coaches to finish second in the nine team league.

The Panthers were picked by SSC head coaches to finish second in the SSC Preseason Poll.
The Panthers were picked by SSC head coaches to finish second in the SSC Preseason Poll.

The Panthers are coming off a trip to the NCAA South Regional last season with an overall record of 32-19 and 14-10 in league play. The squad received 46 total points in the poll.

“It is obviously an honor that our conference thinks that highly of us,” said head coach Greg Berkemeier.

“It is just a preseason poll and we know we have a great challenge ahead of us.  Any number of teams can win and we will have to be ready to play every day.”

Greg Berkemeier
Greg Berkemeier

Tampa garnered eight of the nine first place votes and 64 points, as the defending NCAA Div. II National Champions were picked to win a third straight SSC title.

Barry and Lynn were tied for third in the poll each with 42 points. Lynn did receive a first place vote in the poll. Nova Southeastern was right behind Lynn and Barry picked to finish fifth with 41 points. Following the Sharks was Florida Southern with 34 points. Saint Leo was picked seventh with 31 points followed by Rollins with 16 and Eckerd with eight points to round out the poll.

The Panthers begin the 2014 season two weeks from Saturday on Feb. 1, as they host North Alabama in a three game series at Andy Seminick-Les Hall Field.

SSC PRESEASON POLL

Rank School (1st Place)
Points
 1.  Tampa (8)  64
 2.  Florida Tech
 46
 3t.  Barry  42
 3t.  Lynn (1)  42
 5.  Nova Southeastern  41
 6.  Florida Southern  34
 7.  Saint Leo  31
 8.  Rollins  16
 9.  Eckerd  8