Jan. 31, 2008

Elmhurst, IL − After winning its record 10th straight league championship a year ago, Oral Roberts was selected to claim its 11th consecutive Summit League title in 2008 as voted on by the league's eight head coaches.

The Golden Eagles (49 points) were a unanimous selection after garnering seven first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams). Western Illinois (40 points) finished second in the voting, while Centenary (35 points) came in third with the final first-place vote. League newcomer South Dakota State (31 points) was close behind in fourth, while Southern Utah (25 points) was selected in the fifth slot. Oakland (21 points), North Dakota State (15 points).

After suffering an injury plagued 9-37 season in 2007, it came as no surprise that the IPFW baseball team was picked to finish last with a point total of eight.

"Based on last season's results, the polls appear accurate," IPFW's ninth year head coach Billy Gernon said.

"We deserve our 8th place pre-season selection after a disappointing 2007 campaign. The 2008 season brings hope and opportunity our program has not seen or
experienced for seven years, and we are excited about being a member of the Summit League. The recruiting emphasis we placed on our battery was intended to assist us in achieving the goals we have set for our program."

For the complete 2008 Summit League Preseason baseball release, click here: 2008 Summit League Preseason Baseball Poll