Despite a first-year head coach, a measly 13 returning players and last-place finish last season, the Long Beach State Dirtbags were selected to finish fifth in the Big West Conference this year after a preseason poll of all coaches.

Skipper Troy Buckley takes the reigns of a team that will be anchored by strong pitching bolstered by ace Andre Gagnon and fellow starter Branden Pinder. Only two field starters will return this season in junior centerfielder Brennan Metzger (.308, 22 RBI) and shortstop Kirk Singer (.313, 5 HR). Gagnon, a 2010 Second Team All Big West selection, drew attention as a starter in the Cape Cod League All-Star Game during the offseason.

Conference coaches may have picked the Dirtbags highly based on their strong recruiting class. There are more than 20 new faces suiting up for the black and gold.

The Dirtbags begin their 2011 season at home on Friday, February 18 in a non-conference series against Cal State Fullerton at Blair Field.

2011 Big West Coaches Preseason Poll
 
1.    Cal State Fulllerton (9) – 81
T2.  UC Irvine – 65
T2.  UC Riverside – 65
4.    Cal Poly – 50
5.    Long Beach State – 47
6.    UC Santa Barbara – 36
7.    Pacific – 26
8.    UC Davis – 22
9.    Cal State Northridge – 13