Valparaiso University has been picked to finish in third place this season in the Horizon League according to the 2012 preseason poll as voted upon by the league’s head coaches.

Head coach Tracy Woodson’s squad returns 16 letterwinners from last year’s team, which saw the Crusaders finish 25-32 overall and 14-10 in the Horizon League. The Crusaders finished runner-up in the Horizon League Tournament after posting a fourth place finish during the regular season

The Crusaders tallied 16 points in the preseason poll to garner a third place prediction, just three points behind second place UIC.  Wright State was tabbed to defend its league title from last season, earning five of the six first place votes.  Milwaukee was picked to finish fourth behind Valpo while Butler and Youngstown State rounded out the poll in fifth and sixth respectively.

The voting, done by the league’s head coaches, awarded five points for a first place vote through one point for an fifth place vote.  Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Valparaiso will open the 2012 regular season on Friday, February 17 in Murray, Ky. to begin a three-game series with Murray State.   First pitch in the opener is set for 2 p.m.