The Southwestern University Pirates baseball team was voted third in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) annual preseason coaches' polls, trailing Trinity University and Texas Lutheran University. 

Southwestern finished third with 51 points, picking up two first-place votes in the process. Trinity is favored to win the conference, securing the remaining six first-place votes and racking up 60 points in the polls. Texas Lutheran followed at 55. 

The Pirates finished last season with a 24-19 record, earning the program's most victories in a season since 2005. 

Southwestern is led by 2020 D3Baseball.com Preseason All-American Daniel Montgomery and reigning SCAC Pitcher of the Year Austin Smith. 

Last year, Montgomery Jr. was among the SCAC leaders in every major offensive category, finishing first in runs scored (48), triples (four), and home runs (nine); second in doubles (15), total bases (110), on base percentage (.485), and slugging percentage (.667); third in hits (60), and RBIs (45); and fourth in batting average (.364).

Smith was an All-Region pitcher last year, compiling a 7-2 record and finishing No. 13 in Division III in strikeouts per nine innings with 12.48 and sixth in total strikeouts with 110, leading the SCAC in both categories. 

The Pirates open their season on Friday, Feb. 14 with a night game against Sul Ross State, kicking off a three-game series with the doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 15.

2020 SCAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
(first-place votes in parentheses, followed by total points)

1. Trinity University (6) 60

2. Texas Lutheran University 55

3. Southwestern University (2) 51

4.Centenary College 41

5. University of Dallas 29

6. Schreiner University 22

7. Austin College 15 

    University of St. Thomas 15