ODESSA, Texas (January 29, 2025) – With opening day around the corner, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association released its 2025 Regional Preseason Poll with The University of Texas Permian Basin baseball team selected sixth in the South Central Region to begin the season. In addition, second baseman Carson Johnson was named to the NCBWA Preseason All-South Central Region team.

Angelo State was selected first and received seven of the eight first-place votes. Colorado Mesa, who received the eighth and final first-place vote, was picked second followed by Lubbock Christian, West Texas A&M and Regis to round out the top-five. UT Permian Basin, UT Tyler and St. Edward's fill in spots six through eight to complete Lone Star Conference representation.

The NCBWA Preseason All-South Central Region team was voted on by a committee of eight members with four representing each the Lone Star Conference and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) respectively.

Johnson is coming off a 2024 season in which he was named second-team all-conference for the second straight season. Johnson hit .316 with 52 runs scored, 56 hits, 10 doubles, eight triples, five home runs, 46 runs batted in, 26 walks and nine stolen bases. He also a had a .975 fielding percentage on 276 chances and helped turn 35 double plays.

In addition to Johnson, UTPB players to keep an eye on this season include:

• Trevor Barth – Right-Handed Pitcher – Senior – 2025 LSC Baseball Preseason Player to Watch – 5.57 ERA, 6-5 W-L, 17-15 APP-GS, 1 CG, 84.0 IP
• Bryan Adams – Right-Handed Pitcher – Senior – 4.99 ERA, 6-2 W-L, 21-3 APP-GS, 1 SV, 39.2 IP
• Nolan LaChappa – Left-Handed Pitcher – Senior – 10.53 ERA, 1-3 W-L, 21-7 APP-GS, 39.1 IP
• Carson Johnson – Infielder – Senior – 2023 & 2024 Second-Team All-Conference, .316 AVG, 59-57 GP-GS, 177 AB, 52 R, 56 H, 10 2B, 8 3B, 5 HR, 46 RBI, 97 TB, .548 SLG%, 26 BB, 8 HBP, .419 OB%, 9-11 SB-ATT
• Jack Haggerty – Outfielder – Senior – 2024 Second-Team All-Conference, .367 AVG, 60-59 GP-GS, 229 AB, 67 R, 84 H, 11 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 46 RBI, 104 TB, .454 SLG%, 36 BB, 22 HBP, .493 OB%, 15-24 SB-ATT
• Taylor McDaniel – Infielder/Designated Hitter – Junior – .339 AVG, 26-13 GP-GS, 56 AB, 14 R, 19 H, 7 2B, 2HR, 16 RBI, 32 TB, .571 SLG%, 10 BB, 3 HBP, .464 OB%
• Kaleb Scull – Infielder – Senior – 2025 LSC Baseball Preseason Player to Watch – Transfer from Wheeling University (W.Va.), .260 AVG, 50-50 GP-GS, 150 AB, 31 R, 39 H, 10 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 60 TB, .400 SLG%, 19 BB, 10 HBP, .372 OB%, 7-8 SB-ATT

UTPB will open the season at Angelo State on Friday, January 31, at Foster Field at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium.
 
2025 NCBWA South Central Region Preseason Poll
2025 NCBWA Preseason All-South Central Region Team