Feb. 11, 2014

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Three UNLV players were named to the 2014 Mountain West Preseason All-Conference Baseball Team, the league announced Tuesday. Senior Patrick Armstrong, junior Erick Fedde and sophomore Joey Armstrong all earned their first conference preseason honors, which were voted on by the league's coaches.

Patrick Armstrong, a designated hitter/utility player selection, led the Rebels last season in batting average (.373) and is the top returning hitter in the Mountain West. He hit seven home runs, 15 doubles and drove in 40 runs during his first year in the league. Armstrong was also a member of the 2013 All-MW First Team.

Fedde, one of two pitchers to earn the preseason honor, struck out a team-high 83 batters and sported a 7-3 record with a 3.92 ERA in 2013. He was also named to Baseball America's Preseason All-America Second Team earlier this spring.

Joey Armstrong, who was one of two sophomores selected by the coaches, will move to center field this season for UNLV and was selected as an outfielder on the conference's preseason list. Armstrong hit .324 during his freshman campaign and is the only returning Rebel to have played in every game in 2013.

The conference also announced its annual preseason poll. Defending MW regular season champion, New Mexico, and defending MW tournament champion, San Diego State, were picked as the co-favorites. Each team earned three first place votes and totaled 43 points. The Rebels also garnered a first place vote and were picked a close third with 40 points. Fresno State was slated fourth with 25 points, Nevada, Reno was picked fifth with 19 points and Air Force was picked sixth with 14 points. League newcomer San José State rounds out the list in seventh with 12 points.

Perfect Game also unveiled its preseason all-conference team earlier this week. Fedde and Pat Armstrong were selected by PG as well as junior T.J. White, senior Matt McCallister and sophomore Brayden Torres. Fedde was also named the preseason pitcher of the year by PG.

The Rebels are slated to finish second, behind Fresno State, according to PG's poll. New Mexico and San Diego State were picked third and fourth, respectively, while Nevada, Reno, San José State and Air Force round out the conference.

The Rebels will open their 2014 season against Central Michigan at 6:05 p.m. PT on Friday, February 14 at Earl E. Wilson Stadium. UNLV Athletics is implementing a new system for the baseball season where fans can purchase their tickets to a home game online and save money. Visit UNLVtickets.com to purchase a ticket for just $5 and select the "Free Will Call" option. The deal expires three hours prior to the first pitch of every home game. Prices for individual games are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors and $5 for groups of 15 or more (Group tickets must be purchased at least one day in advance for the game). Children 12 and under and UNLV students with a valid student I.D. are free.

2014 MOUNTAIN WEST COACHES PRESEASON POLLRk.   Team (1st-place votes)  Points1.  New Mexico (3)      43    San Diego State (3) 433.  UNLV (1)            404.  Fresno State        255.  Nevada, Reno        196.  Air Force           147.  San José State       12

2014 MOUNTAIN WEST PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMPosition - Name, Class        InstitutionC - Alex Real, Jr.          New Mexico1B - Seth Kline, Sr.        Air Force2B - Tim Zier, Sr.          San Diego State3B - Austin Byler, Jr.      Nevada, RenoSS - Jared Holley, So.      New MexicoOF - Chase Harris, Sr.      New MexicoOF - Greg Allen, Jr.        San Diego StateOF - Joey Armstrong, So.     UNLVUT/DH - Patrick Armstrong, Sr.    UNLVP - Josh Walker, Sr.        New MexicoP - Erick Fedde, Jr.        UNLV

2014 PERFECT GAME'S MOUNTAIN WEST PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISHRk.   Team 1.  Fresno State2.  UNLV3.  New Mexico4.  San Diego State5.  Nevada, Reno6.  San Jose State7.  Air Force

2014 PERFECT GAME'S PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMPos.  Name                Class   SchoolC   Alex Real           Jr.     New Mexico1B  Austin Byler            Jr.     Nevada2B  Tim Zier                Sr.     San Diego State3B  T.J. White             Jr.     UNLVSS  Matt McCallister           Sr.     UNLVOF  Chase Harris            Sr.     New MexicoOF  Jordan Luplow           Jr.     Fresno StateOF  Greg Allen          Jr.     San Diego StateDH  Patrick Armstrong             Sr.     UNLVSP  Michael Cederoth            Jr.     San Diego StateSP  Erick Fedde             Jr.     UNLVSP  Jordan Brink            Jr.     Fresno StateRP  Brayden Torres           So. UNLV