Jan. 22, 2008

With exactly one month until the 2008 season opens for Mizzou Baseball, the Tigers have received a No. 6 ranking in the Baseball America Preseason Poll, which was released by the publication on Tuesday. The Tigers are the highest ranked Big 12 Conference team in the poll.

UCLA received the top spot in the poll, followed by Arizona, Vanderbilt, Mississippi, North Carolina and Missouri. Other Big 12 teams in the poll include Baylor (No. 15), Texas (No. 16) and Texas A&M (No. 21).

In 2005, Mizzou was ranked No. 10 in Baseball America's Preseason Poll, it best preseason ranking prior to this year's No. 6 mark.

The Tigers ended the 2007 season ranked No. 24 after compiling a record of 42-18. They return six of their position starters and eight pitchers from a year ago. Missouri is one of just 18 teams that have advanced to the last five NCAA Tournaments, hosting an NCAA Regional for the first time in school history last year.

Mizzou will open the 2008 season at the Stetson University Tournament in DeLand, Fla. Feb. 22-24 with its season opener against Connecticut on Feb. 22. The home opener is March 4 against Western Illinois at 6:30 p.m. at Taylor Stadium.

2008 BASEBALL AMERICA PRESEASON TOP 25
1. UCLA
2. Arizona
3. Vanderbilt
4. Mississippi
5. North Carolina
6. MISSOURI
7. Oregon State
8. Michigan
9. Arizona State
10. Miami, Fla.
11. San Diego
12. South Carolina
13. Long Beach State
14. Rice
15. Baylor
16. Texas
17. Virginia
18. Fresno State
19. Louisiana-Lafayette
20. Wichita State
21. Texas A&M
22. Tulane
23. Clemson
24. East Carolina
25. Old Dominion