A sign of depth in the conference’s baseball season this year is the fact that the league coaches gave four teams in each division at least one first-place vote. USI earned nine first-place votes in the East, followed by Northern Kentucky (4), Indianapolis (2) and Saint Joseph’s (1). In the West, Quincy earned nine first-place tallies, while Drury (4), Missouri S&T (2) and Rockhurst (1) split the remaining seven votes.

Despite the differential in first-place votes, Southern Indiana just edged Northern Kentucky in total points, garnering 109 markers to 108 for the Norse. NKU enters the season ranked second in the East, followed by Indianapolis (87), Saint Joseph’s (76), Lewis (67), Bellarmine (59), UW-Parkside (34) and Kentucky Wesleyan (28). 

Quincy earned 114 total points as the clear favorite in the West, ranking ahead of Drury (102), Missouri S&T (94) and Rockhurst (84) in the top four. William Jewell (55), Missouri-St. Louis (53), Maryville (38) and Illinois Springfield (28) round out the division.

Southern Indiana has posted four consecutive divisional titles, although last season marked the Screaming Eagles’ first campaign in the East. USI captured three consecutive GLVC West Division titles from 2008-10. The Eagles, who finished 2011 with a 37-19 record overall, is led by defending GLVC Coach of the Year Tracy Archuleta and senior shortstop Brad Vance, a Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American. Vance, a three-year starting infielder for the Eagles, had a career-high .314 batting average with a team-high 54 RBIs, 44 runs scored, and 20 doubles in 2011. The 2011 first-team All-GLVC and NCBWA All-Midwest Region performer also was second on the team with four home runs.

Quincy finished the 2011 season with a 35-20 overall record, captured the 2011 GLVC Tournament title, and advanced to the NCAA Division II national tournament for the first time since 2006. Josh Rabe is in his second season as head coach of the Hawks. In his first season at Quincy, Rabe saw Brian Thompson finish his junior campaign as a Daktronics All-America honorable mention selection. Thompson was the anchor of the Hawks bullpen in 2011, appearing in 21 games and recording 16 saves in 17 chances. He held a 1.52 earned-run average with 21 strikeouts in 21.3 innings pitched while limiting his opponents to a .188 batting average. Thompson's 16 saves led all of NCAA Division II and set a new program single season record last year.

The 2012 GLVC baseball season will feature 16 teams for the first time as William Jewell enters its first year in the league, although the Cardinals will not be eligible for the conference tournament.

The top three teams from the East Division, the top two teams from the West Division and three wild card teams will earn a berth to the 2012 GLVC Baseball Tournament on May 10-13, which will be held primarily at Bosse Field in Evansville, Ind. Select opening-round contests will take place at the Southern Indiana Baseball Field.

The complete 2012 GLVC Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll follows. Coaches are prohibited from voting for their own team in the poll.

 

WEST	TEAM	PTS	(1ST)
1.	Quincy	114	(9)
2.	Drury	102	(4)
3.	Missouri S&T	94	(2)
4.	Rockhurst	84	(1)
5.	William Jewell*	55
6.	Missouri-St. Louis	53
7.	Maryville	38
8.	Illinois Springfield	28