ST. LOUIS – Bradley sophomore second baseman Chris Godinez (Lake Bluff, Ill./Lake Forest H.S.) and junior designated hitter Greg Partyka (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett H.S.) both were tabbed for the 2013 Preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Team, according to a league-wide vote of head coaches announced by the league office Wednesday.
Also included in the preseason vote, Bradley was picked to finish sixth in the 8-team league race. With four players on the 14-man preseason all-conference team, Missouri State was the pick to win the 2013 Valley title.
Godinez and Partyka are among the 23 lettermen that return from Bradley's 2012 squad that finished 27-27-1 overall and seventh in The Valley with an 8-13 league record.
Godinez was one of Bradley's two Louisville Slugger Freshman All-Americans last season after leading the Braves with a .320 batting average, 33 runs scored and 11 stolen bases. Partyka is the top returning home run hitter in The Valley after finishing third in the league with 10 dingers in 2012, when he also led the Braves with 45 runs batted in.
Bradley is slated to open its 113th baseball season Feb. 15-17 by playing a 3-game series at Arkansas State.
