With six returning starters and all of its starting pitching back, Illinois State was picked fourth today in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll. In addition, Redbird junior outfielder Jeremy Pickrel was named to the preseason first team squad. The voting was done by coaches throughout the league.
Last year Illinois State finished tied for sixth at 23-29 (14-17), however they missed out on the conference tournament due to the tie-breaking rule. The Redbirds were arguably the hottest team down the stretch, as they won 10 of their last 16 games. With the way they finished up in 2003, and the returning firepower they have coming back, head coach Jim Brownlee feels that the fourth place pick is pretty accurate.
I think its pretty realistic to have us at fourth, said Brownlee, now in his second year. The coaches know whats coming back in this league and we have a good amount of pitching and offense back. But it doesnt mean a whole lot right now.
Pickrel, a junior from Henderson, Ill., led the Redbirds in nearly every offensive category in 2003. Last month he was named preseason all-Missouri Valley Conference by the publication Baseball America.
Its great to see Pickrel get recognized like that because hes worked so hard, Brownlee said. At the same time, I think Kyle (Bloom) may have got slighted a bit because I think he is one of the most outstanding pitchers in our league. I guess that just gives him something to prove.
Wichita State was picked as the preseason No. 1 team in the conference. The Shockers will visit Redbird Field April 9-12 for a four-game series.
Illinois State opens up their schedule Friday, February 27, when they play a three-game series at Louisville. The Redbirds open up at home with a three-game series against Central Michigan on March 19.
2004 Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Wichita State (7), 81
2. Southern Illinois, 74
3. SMS (1), 72
4. Illinois State, 56
5. UNI, 53
6. T-Creighton, 43
T-Indiana State (1), 43
8. Evansville, 41
9. Bradley, 22
2004 Preseason All-Valley Baseball Team
1B Logan Sorenson, Wichita State
2B Tony Roth, Creighton
3B Brooks Colvin, SMS
SS PJ Finigan, Southern Illinois
C Dan Puente, Bradley
DH Erik Lis, Evansville
OF Drew Moffitt, Wichita State
OF Phil Napolitan, Wichita State
OF Jeremy Pickrel, Illinois State
SP Mike Pelfrey, Wichita State
SP Collin Walker, Bradley
RP Steve Grasley, Creighton
RP Joe Thatcher, Indiana State
