BIG WEST CONFERENCE COACHES’ POLLS : Long Beach Team to Beat in Baseball

Cal State Long Beach, which went to the College World Series last year in Dave Snow’s first season as coach, has been chosen to win the Big West Conference baseball title in a poll of coaches.

Cal State Fullerton, coming off its worst record in 15 years, was picked to finish fifth. UC Irvine was chosen seventh.

Big West Conference

Baseball Coaches’ Poll

Team (first-place votes) Points 1. Cal State Long Beach (4) 58 2. Fresno State (1) 56 3. San Jose State (3) 45 4. Nevada Las Vegas 39 5. Cal State Fullerton 34 6. UC Santa Barbara 31 7. UC Irvine 17 8. Pacific 8

Fresno State, the runner-up to UCLA for the National Collegiate Athletic Assn. softball championship last year, is a unanimous choice to win the Big West Conference title in a poll of coaches.

Cal State Long Beach was chosen second, and Cal State Fullerton, led by returning All-Americans Missy Coombes and Carey Hess, was picked third.

Big West Conference

Softball Coaches’ Poll

Team (first-place votes) Points 1. Fresno State (10) 100 2. Cal State Long Beach 84 3. Cal State Fullerton 82 4. Cal Poly Pomona 72 5. Nevada Las Vegas 57 6. San Jose State 45 7. Pacific 32 8. UC Santa Barbara 31 9. Hawaii 20 10. San Diego State 12