Though the LSU baseball team may have been disappointed with just missing out on the regional playoffs at the end of last season, it begins its new campaign ranked in the top 10 of Baseball America’s preseason rankings.
The Tigers came in at No. 8, joining No. 1 Florida, No. 3 South Carolina, No. 4 Arkansas and No. 10 Vanderbilt as Southeastern Conference representatives in the top 10.
Georgia (No. 11) and Ole Miss (No. 22) were also listed in the rankings.
While LSU will miss all-everything outfielder Mikie Mahtook, who parlayed his stellar junior season into a first round selection by the Tampa Bay Rays, the team returns several key players and will be buoyed by the improvement of a young pitching staff.
Florida is the top team in Baseball America’s preseason rankings for the second consecutive season. The Gators were knocked out of the College World Series last season by South Carolina, who have won two consecutive world series championships.
The Tigers open the 2012 season Fri., Feb. 17, against Air Force in Alex Box Stadium.