SANTA CLARA, Calif. - For the second straight season, the Santa Clara baseball team was selected to finish third in the 2009 West Coast Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll, it was announced Wednesday.

San Diego and Pepperdine tied for first place with 45 overall points, but the Toreros received four of the possible eight first place votes and the Waves received three votes. SCU earned 35 overall points for third place, while Gonzaga was chosen to finish fourth and received the final first place vote.

Coming off one of the best seasons in under the direction of head coach Mark O'Brien with a 33-22 overall record and a 13-8 WCC mark, the Broncos return six all-conference selections in 2008 WCC Freshman of the Year and All-American Thain Simon (9-2, 2.59 ERA, 71K), unanimous first team honorees Brady Fuerst (.332, 15 2B, 5HR), Tommy Medica (.342, 15 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR), Jon Karcich (.351, 14 2B, 12 HR) and Nate Garcia (7-3, 3.65 ERA, 75K), and honorable mention Matt Long (.303, 11 2B, 5 3B, 11 HR).

2009 WCC Baseball Preseason Poll
1. San Diego - 45 (4)
1. Pepperdine - 45 (3)
3. Santa Clara - 35
4. Gonzaga - 30 (1)
5. San Francisco - 26
6. Loyola Marymount - 20
7. Saint Mary's - 14
8. Portland - 9
(First place votes)

The Broncos open the 2009 season at the N.C. State Tournament in Raleigh, N.C., on Friday, Feb. 20 against the Musketeers of Xavier. First pitch is scheduled for 8 a.m. PT. Santa Clara opens its home scheduled on Wednesday, Feb. 25 against California. Game time slated for 6 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium.