Valparaiso University has been picked to finish in fifth place this season in the Horizon League according to the preseason poll selected by the league’s head coaches.

Head coach Tracy Woodson’s squad returns 24 letterwinners, from last year’s team, which saw the Crusaders finish 21-35 overall and 8-13 in Horizon League play in the team’s inaugural season in the conference.  Valpo played well in the Horizon League Tournament, finishing third in the double elimination tournament at the end of the year.

The Crusaders tallied 15 points in the preseason poll to garner a fifth place prediction.  UIC received six first place votes and was picked to win the league title while Wright State was chosen to finish second.  Milwaukee and Youngstown State were selected third and fourth just ahead of Valpo.  Cleveland State was tabbed sixth with Butler picked seventh.

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

Valparaiso will open the 2009 regular season on Saturday, February 21 in Morehead, Ky. with a doubleheader against Morehead State.  First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m.