Florida Tech Picked Second in SSC Preseason Poll
By Florida Tech // 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 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.”
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 |