CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears were picked sixth and seventh in the Southland Conference preseason baseball polls released Wednesday by the league office.

    The SLC sports information directors picked UCA sixth while the league's coaches placed the Bears seventh. 

    UCA was picked fifth and sixth in the polls last season but finished as the SLC tournament runnerup to Southeastern Louisiana. The Bears won the 2013 SLC Tournament championship after being picked fifth by both groups in the preseason polls.

    UCA, under the direction of fifth-year head coach Allen Gum, returns five position starters and five key pitchers from last year's team that finished 32-22 overall and 17-13 in league play.

    The Bears open the 2015 season against Grambling State on Feb. 13 in Monroe, La. The first home date for UCA is Tuesday, Feb. 17 against UALR at 6 p.m. at Bear Stadium.

COACHES' POLL
1. Sam Houston State (8)    138
2. Texas A&M-CC (4)        128
3. SE Louisiana (1)            115
4. Northwestern State        109
5. Nicholls                            98
6. McNeese State                90
7. Central Arkansas            89
8. Lamar                             77
9. Stephen F. Austin            49
10. Houston Baptist            48
11. Abilene Christian            27
12. Incarnate Word            26
13. New Orleans                   20

SID'S POLL
1. Sam Houston State (8)    137
2. Texas A&M-CC (2)        130
3. SE Louisiana (1)            119
4. Northwestern State (2)    108
5. McNeese State                91
6. Central Arkansas            90
7. Nicholls                            85
8. Lamar                             79
9. Stephen F. Austin            52
10. Houston Baptist            50
11. Abilene Christian           28
12. Incarnate Word            26
13. New Orleans                20