Jan. 30, 2008

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' baseball team has been picked to place third in the American Southwest Conference West Division by the head coaches, sports information director's and media members for the 2008 season.

Texas Lutheran and McMurry were picked as the top two teams in the Division. TLU has won three straight ASC titles and went 37-10-1 last year. The Bulldogs return Logan Hull, who was named the preseason ASC West pitcher of the year.

McMurry was 29-17 last season and they return ASC player of the year Brent Voorhees, who was named the preseason player of the year this season.

HSU (25-17 in 2007) was picked third and Mary Hardin-Baylor was picked fourth. Concordia, Howard Payne Schreiner and Sul Ross State rounded out the projections.

Defending ASC East champion Texas-Tyler was picked to win the East Division. The Patriots went 37-1 last year. Texas-Dallas, Mississippi College and Ozarks were picked as the other three playoff teams.

HSU opens its season on Feb. 8 when it hosts College of the Southwest.