Bethune-Cookman is predicted to win the 2008 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) baseball championship title for the second consecutive year, as voted on by the leagues’ head coaches and sports information directors.

Bethune-Cookman, the back-to-back defending MEAC baseball champions, received 180 points and 10 of 14 first-place votes. The Wildcats won their 11th MEAC title last season after defeating North Carolina A&T 6-4 in the championship final. They finished the season with a 16-1 mark in conference play and 33-27 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Baseball Regionals for the eighth time in the last nine years.

Delaware State was tabbed to finish in second place with 127 points and three first-place votes. The Hornets concluded the 2007 season with a 22-27 overall record and 10-8 record in the MEAC.

North Carolina A&T is predicted to finish third with 124 points. The Aggies were 11-7 in the MEAC last season and finished 28-31 overall.

Norfolk State and Florida A&M round out the top five spots, respectively. The Spartans finished 9-8 in MEAC play and 25-25 overall in 2007, while the Rattlers finished last season with an 11-7 conference mark and 16-36 overall record.

The MEAC Baseball season begins on February 22. The MEAC Baseball Championship is scheduled for May 15-18 at the Marty L. Miller Field on the campus of Norfolk State (Va.) University.