ST. LOUIS – Dallas Baptist, which returns a host of key position players and pitchers from last year's MVC  Regular Season title team, has been tabbed as the league favorite in the annual coaches' preseason poll, receiving five of eight first-place votes. 

The Patriots tallied 61 points and were named the favorite over second-place pick Missouri State (51 points), as the Bears tallied one first-place vote. Illinois State (49 points) finished third, while Indiana State finished fourth with 40 points and one first place vote.

Bradley was selected in fifth place with 38 points and one first place vote, followed by Evansville (21 points) in the sixth slot, Southern Illinois (18 points) in the seventh slot and Valparaiso eighth (10 points).