Jan. 28, 2003

WACO, Texas - Baylor's softball team was picked fourth in the Big 12 Conference preseason coaches' poll, release Tuesday by the conference office. The Lady Bears received one first-place vote and tied Texas A&M with 54 total points. Baylor returns eight position starters and all three pitchers from last year's team that went 46-18 and finished fourth in the Big 12.

Nebraska was the coaches' preseason favorite; the Huskers received five of nine first-place votes and 77 total points. Texas and Oklahoma received two first-place votes each. The Longhorns were picked to finish second with 70 points, while the Sooners were tabbed third with 67 points.

Oklahoma State (44 points), Kansas (32), Iowa State (21), Missouri (19) and Texas Tech (12) rounded out the 10-team poll. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team, and points were awarded on a nine-for-first, eight-for-second, etc., basis.

Baylor and Texas Tech are the first Big 12 teams to see action this season. The Lady Bears welcome Centenary, Florida and Texas-Arlington to the Getterman Classic presented by Compass Bank and Hilton this weekend.

2003 BIG 12 CONFERENCE PRESEASON SOFTBALL COACHES POLLSchool (No. 1 votes)    2002 Record Points 1.  Nebraska (5)   50-14, 11-5   77 2.  Texas (2)      50-13, 17-1   70 3.  Oklahoma (2)   49-16, 14-2   67 4.  Baylor (1)      46-18, 10-8   54     Texas A&M      40-18, 9-9    54 6.  Oklahoma State 29-23, 8-10   44 7.  Kansas     33-25, 7-11   32 8.  Iowa State     19-25, 6-12   21 9.  Missouri       29-33, 4-14   1910.  Texas Tech     13-39, 2-16   12