Jan. 31, 2007

The Siena baseball team is the MAAC coaches' choice to finish fourth in the league this season according to the annual Preseason Poll furnished by the conference office today. LeMoyne was the preseason favorite, with defending MAAC Champion Manhattan second and Marist third.

Junior third baseman Jake Willis (Niantic, Conn./East Lyme) was named to the MAAC Preseason Team. Willis was selected to the MAAC Second Team in each of the last two years. He batted .356 as a sophomore with eight homeruns and 48 RBI.

The Saints finished in seventh place last season, but have reason to be optimistic. Craig Chaput, their top pitching prospect, returns after red-shirting last season. Matt Moberg - one of the top rookie pitchers in the MAAC a year ago - is also back, as is the entire infield.

Siena opens its season February 24 at New Orleans.