GOLDEN, Colo. (Jan. 19, 2022) – Oklahoma Christian will begin the baseball season considered among the top teams in the South Central Region of NCAA Division II.

The Eagles checked in at No. 7 in the regional preseason poll announced Wednesday by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. Ten athletic communications professionals – five each from the Lone Star Conference and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference – voted in the poll.

OC is coming off a 24-16 season in which it had one of Division II's top offenses, averaging 8.9 runs per game (15th nationally) and 70 home runs (19th nationally) while posting a .532 slugging percentage (also 19th nationally). The Eagles return their top nine hitters from that lineup, including All-Region performers Michael DiFiore, Chance Westervelt and Blake Empkey.

Colorado Mesa (42-7) of the RMAC topped the poll with six first-place votes and 95 points, with the LSC's Angelo State (Texas) (44-9) second with four first-place votes and 92 points. West Texas A&M (34-9) of the LSC was third with 83 points, followed by two RMAC programs – Colorado-Colorado Springs (30-13) with 60 points and Metro State (Colo.) (34-10) with 55 points.

The next four teams in the poll all are from the LSC – Texas-Tyler (25-15) with 47 points, OC with 43 points, Texas A&M-Kingsville (21-12) with 34 points and St. Mary's (Texas) (25-20) with 30 points. Regis (Colo.) (21-19) of the RMAC was 10th with 12 points. Two LSC teams received votes – Lubbock Christian (Texas) with nine and St. Edward's (Texas) with one.

Coached by Lonny Cobble, OC will open its season Feb. 4-6 with a four-game LSC series at St. Mary's. The Eagles' home opener will be Feb. 11 against Lubbock Christian.