Kearney, Neb. - The Nebraska-Kearney baseball team has been picked third overall, and tied with New Mexico HIghlands for first in the Plains Division, in the 2012 RMAC Preseason Coaches poll.

The poll and preseason team are voted upon by the league's head coaches; they cannot vote for their own players or team.

Coming off a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance, the Lopers (38-19, 27-11 RMAC) and the HU Cowboys each tallied 11 points in the Plains Division race. HU did receive four first place votes to the Lopers three.

In the Mountain Division, Colorado Mesa is the overwhelming favorite as the Mavericks received 26 points and seven of the eight first place votes.

CMU also is picked first overall, tallying eight points and six first place votes. Highlands is second (19 points) with UNK (21) third and picking up a first place vote.

Individually, senior southpaw Mike Loseke (Arvada, Colo.) and junior catcher Chandler Klute (Kearney H.S.) were selected to the preseason team.

Klute is one of only three position players returning to the UNK lineup this year. In 2011, he batted .312 with 34 RBI's, 35 runs and 13 doubles. Loseke, in his first year as a Loper, worked mainly out of the pen in 2011 and went 8-2 with a 4.90 ERA.

UNK, which must replace 16 seniors off last year's team, starts the 2012 season February 11th at Metro State. To see the complete poll, click HERE.