Juniata baseball picked to finish sixth in Landmark

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Juniata College baseball was selected by Landmark head coaches and sports information directors to finish the 2012 season sixth in the Landmark Conference, according to the preseason poll released Wednesday. 

Juniata clinched 23 points in the voting, just one point behind no. 5 United States Merchant Marine Academy. Moravian College and Catholic University of America, the 2011 Landmark defending champion, each earned 58 points to tie for first and were the only two squads to receive a first place vote. The University of Scranton, last season's runner-up finished at No. 3 with 41 points. Susquehanna University wasn't far behind with 35 points and the No. 4 slot. Drew University rounds out the poll with 13 points as they finished the 2011 season winning just 13 games overall. 

The Eagles lost the 2011 Landmark Baseball Player of the Year to graduation, but returns 20 players to the roster from last season, including All-Conference pitcher Matt Regan (Downington, Pa./Devon Prep). Juniata finished the 2011 campaign with a 16-21 overall record and a 7-11 league finish.

Juniata opens its 2012 campaign on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Bridgewater College at Jopson Field Athletic Complex. The season opener for the Eagles is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m.

The complete poll is listed below:

LANDMARK CONFERENCE
2012 Preseason Baseball Poll

1. Moravian College – 58 pts.
    The Catholic University of America – 58 pts.
3. The University of Scranton – 41 pts.
4. Susquehanna University – 35 pts.
5. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy – 24 pts.
6. Juniata College – 23 pts.
7. Drew University – 13 pts.

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