| School |
(1st) |
Pts. |
2006 Overall |
2006 NWC |
| George Fox University |
(7) |
86 |
29-15 |
18-6 |
| Pacific Lutheran University |
(2) |
70 |
23-17 |
13-11 |
| Linfield College |
|
66 |
22-16 |
15-9 |
| Whitworth College |
|
51 |
19-20 |
13-11 |
| Univ. of Puget Sound |
|
48 |
18-20 |
13-11 |
| Willamette University |
|
30 |
17-19 |
11-13 |
| Pacific University |
|
29 |
21-18 |
13-11 |
| Lewis & Clark College |
|
24 |
15-24 |
10-14 |
| Whitman College |
|
10 |
3-35 |
1-23 |
(First-place votes in parenthesis. Points awarded on 10-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis).
George Fox Picked to Win NWC Pennant Once Again
Spokane, Wash. - George Fox University, which has won or shared the last five Northwest Conference baseball titles, is a strong favorite to retain the NWC pennant in 2007, according to a preseason poll of conference coaches.
The Bruins picked up seven out of nine first place votes to total 86 out of 90 possible poll points. George Fox returns three First Team All-Northwest Conference selections from 2006, including shortstop Bo Thunell and outfielder Dan Wetzell. George Fox advanced to the NCAA regional semifinals last season after winning the NCAA Division III Championship in 2004.
Pacific Lutheran University, which returns 2006 NWC Pitcher of the Year Joe DiPietro, is second in the poll with 70 points. The Lutes, who picked up the other two first place votes, also welcome back All-NWC outfielder Justin Whitehall.
Linfield College is third with 66 points. The Wildcats have back All-NWC catcher Drew Van Cleave along with All-NWC outfielder Stew Davis.
Whitworth College (51 points) and the University of Puget Sound (48 points) are in fourth and fifth places, respectively. Neither the Pirates or the Loggers return a regular First or Second Team All-NWC selection from last spring, although Whitworth's Jason Weatherman was a Second Team reliever.
Willamette University (30), Pacific University (29) and Lewis & Clark College (24) were closely bunched in the sixth through eighth places. Whitman College (10) rounds out the poll in 10th place.
PLU, UPS and Willamette have already opened their seasons with non-conference games. Willamette and Lewis & Clark will play the first NWC contests of the season this Saturday (Feb. 10). The rest of the conference game schedule will begin the weekend of March 3rd.