Joplin, Mo. -- The Missouri Southern baseball team will open up the 2019 season tomorrow as the Lions will compete in the First-Pitch Classic hosted by Central Oklahoma. 

Southern will face off with Southwestern Oklahoma on Friday at 7 pm, while taking on Oklahoma Christian at 1 pm on Saturday and Lubbock Christian on Sunday at 10 am. 

The Lions were picked to finish 6th in the MIAA preseason coaches poll released this morning. Southern returns 13 position players and 10 pitchers off of last year's 27-23 squad that finished 9th in the MIAA. Alex Phillips, Denver Coffee, Zac Shoemaker and Mike Million were all named All-MIAA last season and return for the Lions. 

Southwestern Oklahoma was 22-24 a season ago and went 17-14 in the Great American Conference. The Bulldogs were picked to finish sixth in the GAC preseason poll. 

Oklahoma Christian was 22-27 a season ago, but it was the first losing season in 25 years for the Eagles. OCU was picked 7th in the preseason Heartland Conference preseason poll. 

Lubbock Christian is ranked 40th in the Division II coaches preseason poll. The Chaps were picked to finish second in the Heartland Conference after going 34-20 a season ago. 

Live stats will be available for each game for the Lions and can be found by clicking on the link above.