Jan. 16, 2003

LAS VEGAS - For the fourth straight year, San Diego State has been picked to win the Mountain West Conference regular season baseball championship. In a vote of the six MWC head coaches, the Aztecs received five-of-six first-place votes, while New Mexico received one.

The Aztecs collected 25 points to capture the top spot in the poll. BYU earned 19 points to place second in the poll, followed by UNLV (17 points), Utah (12 points), New Mexico (11 points) and Air Force (six points).

After placing fifth in the MWC race three straight years, UNLV was picked third in this year's poll. The Rebels were 30-30 (13-17 MWC) overall last year under first-year head coach Jim Schlossnagle.

MWC Preseason Baseball Coaches PollPl. Team (1st votes)      Points1.  San Diego State (5)   252.  BYU                   193.  UNLV                  174.  Utah                  125.  New Mexico (1)        116.  Air Force             6