SHAWNEE – Oklahoma Baptist opens the season Feb. 2 as the No. 2 team in the Great American Conference, according to the coaches' poll released Wednesday.

The Bison received 109 points, including three first-place votes. Southern Arkansas received the remainder of the 12 first-place votes and finished with 119 points. Coaches were not permitted to rank their own club.

Arkansas Tech is ranked third with 102 points, followed by Arkansas-Monticello at 89, Henderson State at 84, Southwestern Oklahoma State at 67, Southeastern Oklahoma State at 57, Harding at 56, Ouachita Baptist at 35, Northwestern Oklahoma State at 31, East Central at 30 and Southern Nazarene at 13.

The Bison finished third in the GAC last season, ending at 22-10 in the conference and 42-15 overall. OBU, which won the NCCAA World Series, concluded the year on a 19-game win streak.

Four pitchers return for the Bison, as do two starting outfielders, two starting infielders and a starting catcher.

OBU begins the season at home Feb. 2 with a contest against Manhattan Christian at 3 p.m.