Creighton baseball picked 2nd in MVC

The Creighton baseball team has been picked to finish second in the Missouri Valley Conference. It is the second straight year the Jays have been picked as the runner-up heading into the season.
The team received 66 points behind Missouri State who received 80 points. Individually the Jays placed three players on the 14-man all-MVC Preseason Team, senior first baseman Darin Ruf, junior centerfielder Robbie Knight and sophomore shortstop Elliot Soto earned individual accolades. The poll and preseason team are voted on by the league¹s head coaches.
Following Creighton in the poll are Wichita State (63 points), Southern Illinois (45), Bradley (39), Indiana State (34), Northern Iowa (33), Illinois State (28) and Evansville (17). Creighton finished third in the MVC last season and returns four regulars from the lineup, including three of four infielders. The team also is able to feature four of its rotation members from a year ago, who helped the team to finish 14th  in overall ERA with a 3.88 mark. Since 2007 Creighton is 11th in the nation with a 3.71 ERA.
The team will open the 2009 season on Friday, Feb. 20, in Huntsville, Texas against Sam Houston State as part of a four-game series. The home opener will take place on March 13 against South Dakota State at the CU Sports Complex.