Ending last season 29-24, 16-11 in West Coast Conference action and just two games shy of first place, the Waves baseball team finds itself third in WCC’s preseason coaches poll released last week.
The five first-place votes were split between three teams in this year’s poll. San Diego holds the top spot with five first-place votes and 77 points, Gongaza rolling in second with three first-place votes and 73 points, and Pepperdine following close behind with two first-place votes and a total of 63 points.
Also earning a place in the poll is Pepperdine’s Ryan Wilson. Fresh off a season in which he gained a 0.63 ERA in 42.2 innings pitched, the left handed pitcher was selected as one of five named to the preseason all-conference team.
Pepperdine is set to open the 2017 season with a Feb. 17 home game against Saint Joseph’s, before hosting the Hawks for a three-game series opening weekend.