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2004 Preseason Poll

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Brett Hayes
Nevada
Jeff Niemann
Rice
DENVER - For the eighth year in a row, Rice has been selected to win the 2004 Western Athletic Conference regular season baseball crown in a vote by the leagues six head coaches. The coaches also voted on a preseason all-WAC team, and Rice led the way with five players making the team including the preseason Pitcher of the Year, junior Jeff Niemann. Nevada had four players on the team including the preseason Player of the Year, sophomore catcher Brett Hayes.

Rice received 25 points and five first place votes after winning last year's National Championship with a 58-12 record. The Owls won the WAC regular season last season with a 25-5 mark and made its fourth trip to the College World Series in seven years. Fresno State was picked second with 19 points, followed closely by Nevada with 18. Hawaii was fourth with 13 points while San Jose State received 10 and Louisiana Tech five.

The preseason all-WAC team included five Rice players: senior outfielder Chris Kolkhorst, senior outfielder Austin Davis, junior shortstop Paul Janish, junior starting pitcher Jeff Niemann and junior starting pitcher Wade Townsend. Niemann was picked as the preseason Pitcher of the Year after posting a 17-0 record with a 1.70 ERA last season. Nevada had four players make the team: junior outfielder Chris Gimenez, junior outfielder Jacob Butler, senior first baseman Erick Streelman and sophomore catcher Brett Hayes. Hayes (last year's WAC Freshman of the Year) was chosen the preseason Player of the Year for 2004. Hayes ranked second in the WAC last season in batting (.365) and RBI (63). He also hit eight home runs and stole eight bases. San Jose State had three players on the team in senior third baseman Kevin Frandsen, junior starting pitcher Matt Durkin and senior reliever Jose Amaya. Hawaii and Louisiana Tech each had one player make the team in relief pitcher Clary Carlsen and second baseman Brandon Haygood, respectively.

The 42nd year of WAC baseball begins Friday, January 30 when Hawaii hosts Texas in a three-game series.

2004 WAC Baseball Coaches Poll
(Points awarded on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis as coaches not allowed to vote for their own team)

Rk. Team 1 2 3 4 5 Total
1. Rice 5 25
2. Fresno State 1 3 1 19
3. Nevada 3 2 18
4. Hawaii 3 2 13
5. San Jose State 1 3 1 10
6. Louisiana Tech 5 5

Preseason All-WAC Team
OF Chris Kolkhorst, Sr., Rice
OF Austin Davis, Sr., Rice
OF Chris Gimenez, Jr., Nevada
OF Jacob Butler, Jr., Nevada
1B Erick Streelman, Sr., Nevada
2B Brandon Haygood, Jr., Louisiana Tech
SS Paul Janish, Jr., Rice
3B Kevin Frandsen, Sr., San Jose State
C Brett Hayes, So., Nevada
SP Jeff Niemann, Jr., Rice
SP Wade Townsend, Jr., Rice
SP Matt Durkin, Jr., San Jose State
RP Clary Carlsen, Sr., Hawaii
RP Jose Amaya, Sr., San Jose State

Player of the Year
Brett Hayes, So., C, Nevada

Pitcher of the Year
Jeff Niemann, Jr., Rice