RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference released its 2022 baseball preseason poll on Tuesday and Oklahoma Baptist was picked to finish in second place.
OBU received 104 votes, which included a single first-place nod. Southern Arkansas was named the preseason favorite as it tallied 113 votes with seven 1st-place votes. Checking in at third was Arkansas Tech (103 votes).
Third-year head coach
Chris Cox brings a roster of 30, including 16 new faces, into the diamond this spring.
Two of those newcomers were past MLB draft picks: Right-handed pitcher
Jake Hamilton was selected in the 21st round of the 2019 draft by the Texas Rangers and first baseman
Dan Pruitt was chosen in the 38th round by the Detroit Tigers in 2019.
There are a few other newcomers to keep an eye on as well. Third baseman
Trey Furrey; catcher
Troy Shields and pitcher
Garrett Kellogg-Clarke.
The Bison also return senior outfielder
Walker Keller and junior pitcher
Tyler Frank among others. Keller was an All-GAC Second Team selection in the spring after posting a .354 average with 11 doubles, 11 homers and 40 runs batted in. As for Frank, he tossed 28.2 innings in 13 appearances and notched 34 strikeouts.
OBU's season starts the weekend of February 4 when it takes part in the Central Oklahoma Festival. The season opener comes against UCO at noon that day in Edmond.
2022 GAC Preseason Baseball Poll
1. Southern Arkansas
2.
Oklahoma Baptist
3
. Arkansas Tech
4. Arkansas-Monticello
5. Henderson State
6. Northwestern Oklahoma State
7. Southwestern Oklahoma State
8. Harding
9. Southeastern Oklahoma State
10. Ouachita
11. Southern Nazarene
12. East Central
