WICHITA, Kan. ? The Wichita State baseball team has been voted third in the annual Missouri Valley Conference baseball preseason coaches poll, announced Feb. 3 by the league office.

The Shockers, which accumulated 63 points, including one first-place tally, are behind first-place Missouri State, who had eight first-place votes and 80 points and Creighton, who had 66 points.

Wichita State also earned one preseason all-Valley honor as junior Ryan Jones was named as one of the outfielders.

The Shockers open play on Fri., Feb. 20 against Temple in Fort Myers, Fla.

Valley Preseason Poll
1. Missouri State (8) 80
2. Creighton 66
3. Wichita State (1) 63
4. Southern Illinois 45
5. Bradley 39
6. Indiana State 34
7. UNI 33
8. Illinois State 28
9. Evansville 17

Preseason All-Valley Baseball Team
1B Ben Carlson, Missouri State
2B Scott Elmendorf, Southern Illinois
3B Brayden Drake, Missouri State
SS Elliot Soto, Creighton
C Mark Kelly, Southern Illinois
DH Darin Ruf, Creighton
UT Brett Douglas, UNI
OF Ryan Jones, Wichita State
OF Robbie Knight, Creighton
OF Colby Luttrell, Bradley
SP Tim Clubb, Missouri State
SP Ryan Copeland, Illinois State
RP Bryant George, Southern Illinois
RP Kori Jensen, Bradley