Oklahoma City is the preseason favorite to win the 2013 Sooner Athletic Conference baseball title, according to a hotly-contested preseason coaches' poll released Friday.

"It's an honor and a testament to the tradition of our baseball program," said Stars Head Coach Denney Crabaugh. "Obviously it will be more important to be there at the end, and it's up to this team to perform at the level necessary to give us that chance."

Oklahoma City received half of the eight first-place votes and finished the poll on top with 46 points. Rogers State claimed three first-place votes and wound up second with 43 points. Oklahoma Baptist claimed the remaining first-place vote and finished third in the poll with 37 points.

Lubbock Christian rounded out the top half in fourth with 34 points.

USAO is picked fifth with 25 points, followed by Wayland Baptist with 17, St. Gregory's with 15 and Mid-America Christian with seven.

Last year, Rogers State reached the NAIA Finals after finishing third in the SAC. The Hillcats were 49-16. Oklahoma City won the SAC regular season last year with a 48-12 overall record while Oklahoma Baptist claimed the SAC Tournament title and ended the year with a 47-14 record.

RSU, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Baptist and Lubbock Christian all reached the Opening Round of the NAIA Tournament last season with RSU and OCU both making it to the NAIA World Series.

2012-13 Sooner Athletic Conference Preseason Baseball Coaches' Poll

1. Oklahoma City (4)             46

2. Rogers State (3)                 43

3. Oklahoma Baptist (1)         37

4. Lubbock Christian             34

5. Science & Arts Oklahoma 25

6. Wayland Baptist                17

7. St. Gregory's                      15

8. Mid-America Christian      7