TicketsDec. 20, 2005
PROVIDENCE, R.I.--In its first season as a member of the BIG EAST Conference, the University of Cincinnati baseball team has been tabbed to finish 10th in a poll of the league's 12 coaches. Notre Dame, the defending champions of the conference tournament, were the overwhelming favorites to win the 2006 title.
The Fighting Irish picked up a total of nine first place votes, finishing with a total of 117 points. Pittsburgh picked up two first place nods, taking second in the rankings with 103 tallies. Villanova, chosen in a tie for seventh, earned the last first place marker.
Cincinnati finished its final campaign in Conference USA with a 25-30 overall record and a 10-19 league mark. UC returns 16 letterwinners from that squad, including six position starters.
"I think the results of this poll leave us with something to prove this season," said Bearcat head coach Brian Cleary. "I am not sure that the poll is an accurate depiction of our abilities. We need to enter the spring and let our play speak to that."
Pittsburgh swept the two preseason player of the year awards, with infielder Jim Negrych taking the top position player accolade and Bill Muldowney the pitcher honor.
Cincinnati opens the 2006 season Feb. 10-12, travelling to Florida for a three-game set against 2005 National Runner-up Florida. UC's home schedule begins March 3-5 against Niagara.
2006 BIG EAST Preseason Poll*
1. Notre Dame (38-24-1, 14-9-1)
2. Pittsburgh (33-22, 15-10)
3. USF (33-31, 15-14)
4. Louisville (32-24, 15-14)
5. St. John's (39-16, 19-4)
6. Rutgers (32-21, 12-12)
7. Villanova (28-21-2, 8-16-1)
West Virginia (25-30, 10-15)
9. Connecticut (34-22, 11-12)
10. Cincinnati (25-30, 10-19)
11. Seton Hall (17-35, 8-17)
12. Georgetown (25-31, 7-18)
*indicates 2005 records
All-League Preseason Team
P-Bill Muldowney, Pittsburgh#
P-Jeff Samardzija, Notre Dame
P-Rob Brant, Pittsburgh
P-Tim Norton, Connecticut
P-Casey Hudspeth, USF
P-Dan MacDonald, Seton Hall
IF-Jim Negrych, Pittsburgh*
IF-Todd Frazier, Rutgers
IF-Brett Lilley, Notre Dame
IF-Doug Nelms, West Virginia
IF-Ryan Craft, Georgetown
C-Ryan Carpenter, West Virginia
OF-Stan Posluzny, West Virginia
OF-Matt Bransfield, Notre Dame
OF-Jeff Grose, Rutgers
* Preseason Player of the Year
# Preseason Pitcher of the Year