Date: March 2, 2005
Contact: Chris Hodgson (540) 458-8674
Release: Upon Receipt

W&L BASEBALL PICKED SIXTH IN ODAC PRESEASON POLL
Generals Expected to Finish in Middle of the Pack

Junior shortstop Scott Gosselink

LEXINGTON, Va. -- The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) released its baseball preseason poll on Wednesday and Washington and Lee was picked to finish sixth among the 10 conference teams.

The Generals, ODAC runner-up the past two seasons, received 47 points to place sixth. Virginia Wesleyan, two-time defending ODAC Champions, sits atop the poll with 83 points and three first place votes. Bridgewater (77points, three first place votes) is second, while Lynchburg (76 points, three first place votes) is picked third.

W&L lost its top four pitchers due to graduation, but does return six starters, including junior shortstop Scott Gosselink (Austin, Texas/St. Stephen's Episcopal), a Second Team All-ODAC selection last season.

Last year, the Generals went 21-16 overall and 11-7 in the ODAC, and advanced to the ODAC Championship game before falling to Virginia Wesleyan, 12-8.

W&L currently claims a 10-2 record in 2005.

2005 ODAC Baseball Preseason Poll

1. Virginia Wesleyan 83 (3)
2. Bridgewater 77 (3)
3. Lynchburg 76 (3)
4. Hampden-Sydney 58
5. Guilford 49
6. Washington and Lee 47
7. Roanoke 41
8. Eastern Mennonite 27
T9. Emory & Henry 16
T9. Randolph-Macon 16

--GENERALS--