WICHITA, Kan. – The Wichita State baseball team has been voted first in the annual Missouri Valley Conference baseball preseason coaches poll, announced Jan. 29 by the league office.

The Shockers accumulated 56 points and six first-place votes in the poll.  Missouri State was picked second in the poll with 55 points and two first-place votes, while Illinois State was picked to finish third with 46 points.

Four Shockers earned preseason all-Valley honors including junior first baseman Casey Gillaspie, junior catcher Tyler Baker, senior outfielder Garrett Bayliff and senior relief pitcher Aaron LaBrie.

Baker was a first team all-Valley selection in 2013, while Gillaspie and Bayliff were second team selections and LaBrie was honorable mention.

The Shockers open play on Fri., Feb. 14 against SIU Edwardsville at 3 p.m. at Eck Stadium.

Valley Preseason Poll   

1. Wichita State (6)	56
2. Missouri State (2)	55
3. Illinois State	46
4. Dallas Baptist	44
5. Southern Illinois	28
6. Evansville	25
7. Indiana State	23
8. Bradley	11

Preseason All-Valley Team

1B – Casey Gillaspie, Wichita State

2B – Chris Godinez, Bradley

3B – Brock Stewart, Illinois State

SS – Jake Welch, Southern Illinois

C – Tyler Baker, Wichita State

UT – Jake Mahon, Evansville

DH – Greg Partyka, Bradley

OF – Garrett Bayliff, Wichita State

OF – Kevin Kaczmarski, Evansville

OF – Tate Matheny, Missouri State

SP – Jon Harris, Missouri State

SP – Dan Savas, Illinois State

RP – Aaron LaBrie, Wichita State

RP – Jeremy Rhoades, Illinois State                           

-Wichita State-