Florida Ranked 13th in Baseball America Poll
Wednesday, January 3, 2001 | Baseball
The University of Florida baseball team will enter the 2001 season ranked No. 13 nationally by Baseball America in its preseason top-25 poll announced Wednesday. In addition, Florida was ranked 13th by Collegiate Baseball in its preseason Fabulous-40 poll on December 21st.
Six Southeastern Conference schools were listed in the poll including LSU (3), South Carolina (8), Auburn (11), Florida (13), Georgia (16) and Mississippi State (21). The six SEC schools is the most for any conference followed by the ACC (3), Pac-10 (3) and Big 12 (2) and Conference-USA (2).
According to the Baseball America poll, Florida will play 23 of its 56 games against nationally ranked teams in 2001. Seven schools listed on Florida's 2001 schedule appear in the rankings. UF ended its 2000 season ranked 20th by Baseball America. The staff at Baseball America determines the top-25 rankings. Only one preseason poll remains- the Baseball Weekly/ESPN, voted upon by the nation's college baseball coaches.
The Gators return 22 letterwinners from a squad that finished 44-23-1 (18-11-1 SEC), appeared in the school's 18th NCAA Regional and advanced to both the NCAA Regional and SEC Tournament championship games. In addition, head coach Andy Lopez welcomes 16 newcomers to the squad.
Florida opens practice on Tuesday, January 9th. The Gators will host their annual alumni baseball game on Saturday, January 27. Florida opens its 2001 season at home with a two-game series vs. Miami on Feb. 3-4. Season ticket information is available by calling the Gator ticket office at 1-800-34-GoUF.
BASEBALL AMERICA 2001 NCAA DIVISION 1 BASEBALL PRESEASON POLL
School '00 W-L Final Rk.
1. Georgia Tech 50-16 6
2. Southern California 44-20 5
3. LSU 52-17 1
4. Miami 41-19 13
5. Nebraska 51-17 8
6. Arizona State 44-15 12
7. Florida State 53-19 3
8. South Carolina 56-10 4
9. Notre Dame 46-18 NR
10. Clemson 51-18 7
11. Auburn 41-20 25
12. Rice 43-23 NR
13. FLORIDA 44-23-1 20
14. Stanford 50-16 2
15. Cal State Fullerton 38-21 22
16. Georgia 32-26 NR
17. Central Florida 43-19 NR
18. Pepperdine 36-23 NR
19. Tulane 38-22 NR
20. Baylor 45-17 14
21. Mississippi State 41-20 15
22. Long Beach State 31-25 NR
23. East Carolina 46-18 NR
24. Minnesota 38-24 NR
25. Southern Mississippi 32-26 NR
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