For Immediate Release
Thursday, January 25, 2018
NSIC Media Relations
Full PDF Release

Minnesota State University, Mankato selected as preseason favorite in NSIC Baseball Coaches’ Poll

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - Minnesota State University, Mankato was the top pick in the 2018 NSIC Preseason Baseball Coaches’ Poll.  This marks the eighth time in the last nine years that the Mavericks have been picked to win the league. Minnesota State, the defending NSIC regular season and tournament champions, amassed 196 points after receiving all 14 first place votes (coaches can’t vote for their own team). Augustana was second with 177 points and a first place vote. St. Cloud State was picked third with 174 points, while Wayne State was fourth with 141 points.    

The preseason coaches’ poll is based off each coach ranking each team from 14 to 1 with the top team receiving 14 points, second 13, third 12, etc.

The baseball season gets underway on February 1 with NSIC play beginning on March 17.

The 2018 NSIC Baseball Tournament will take the top eight teams in the final NSIC Standings. The double elimination tournament takes place May 9-12 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
 

2018 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll
1.	Minnesota State (14)	196
2.	Augustana (1)	177
3.	St. Cloud State	174
4.	Wayne State	141
5.	Concordia-St. Paul	138
6.	Minnesota Duluth	132
7.	Northern State	116
8.	Minot State	110
9.	Minnesota Crookston	89
10.	Winona State	79
11.	Sioux Falls	69
12.	Upper Iowa	65
13.	Bemidji State	42
14.	Southwest Minnesota State	32
15.	University of Mary	15
First place votes in ( )

#12 Lucas Lorenz (OF, 6-0, 220, Sr., R/R, Aberdeen, S.D. / Roncalli HS)
Northern State
- Named to the NSIC All-Conference first team
- Named to the NCBWA, D2CCA, and ABCA All-Region second team
- Led the NSIC in slugging percentage and RBI in 2017
- Sat second in the league in homeruns, total bases, and HBP
- Hit a team leading .347 with a .749 slugging percentage
- Recorded 58 hits, 46 runs scored, 14 doubles, four triples, 15 homeruns, and 57 RBI
- Broke the Northern State career triples record with 11 over three seasons
- Tied the career record with 140 runs scored


#26 Jacob Blank (RHP, 6-3, 205, Sr., Gretna, Neb. / Gretna HS)
Augustana
- 2017 D2CCA and NCBWA National Pitcher of the Year and first team All-American
- 2017 D2CCA and NCBWA Central Region Pitcher of the Year
- 2017 NSIC Pitcher of the Year and first team All-NSIC
- 2017 Brett Tomko Award Finalist
- 2017 first team CoSIDA Academic All-American and two-time Academic All-NSIC
- Went 10-0 last season with an NCAA best ERA of 0.78
- Recorded 86 strikeouts last season (second most in school history) and 15 walks in 69 innings
- Tossed the seventh no-hitter in school history against Minnesota Duluth on April 15th
 

Augustana University Vikings

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
37-22, 29-11 NSIC	6 / 9	22	2nd Overall
Team Preview
Head coach Tim Huber returns five starting position players and one starting pitcher from last year's 37-22 (29-11 NSIC) squad that finished second in the NSIC regular season standings. Huber enters his 10th season as Augustana's head coach and has a record of 313-180. The Vikings are highlighted by the return of 2017 first team All-American and NSIC Pitcher of the Year and 2018 Preseason NSIC Pitcher of the Year Jacob Blank for his senior season. Last season, Blank posted a record of 10-0 with a NCAA best ERA of 0.78 and 86 strikeouts. Also added to the Augustana pitching staff are a pair of Division I transfers in Tyler Mitzel (Arkansas State) and David Flattery (Omaha). In the field, Augustana returns 2017 NSIC Freshman of the Year, Sam Baier, 2017 second team All-NSIC honoree, Lucas Barry, and 2017 NSIC Gold Glove team selection Ryan Menssen. Look for junior college transfers Michael Svozil (West Valley CC) and Nate Crossman (Neosho CC) to make early impacts for the Vikings, as well.
Players to Watch
#14 Sam Baier (IF, 6-0, 181, So., R/R, Springfield, Minn. / Springfield HS) #26 Jacob Blank (RHP, 6-3, 205, Sr., Gretna, Neb. / Gretna HS)
First game(s)
Thurs.-Sat., Feb. 1-3 at Hawaii-Hilo (4 games)

 

Bemidji State University Beavers

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
19-31, 16-22 NSIC	2 + 1SP / 6 + 3 SP		11th Overall
Team Preview
Bemidji State just missed out on the 2017 NSIC postseason after finishing the season 19-31 overall and 16-22 in conference play. The Beavers finished last season 11th in the league standings with their most wins in three seasons. BSU enters 2018 under 13th year head coach Tim Bellew, who is the second winningest coach in Bemidji State baseball history with a 202-374-1 record overall. Two All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference First Team members return for the Beavers in 2018, including senior outfielder/third baseman Scott Litchy and junior catcher/outfielder Gunner Olszewski. Litchy comes into this season as BSU’s Player to Watch after starting 38 games and leading the team in batting average (.350), slugging percentage (.642), on-base percentage (.419), RBIs (38), runs scored (29), extra-base hits (20), home runs (9) and sacrifice flies (4). BSU’s Pitcher to Watch, senior Connor McNallan, led the Beavers’ pitching staff with six complete games (second in the NSIC), an opposing batting average of .267, 47 strikeouts and three saves. McNallan finished 2017 with 10 starts and 65.2 innings pitched with a 3.70 ERA.
Players to Watch
#11 Scott Litchy (OF/3B, 6-2, 185, Sr., L/R, Avon, Minn. / Albany HS) #4 Connor McNallan (RHP, 6-4, 197, Sr., Bemidji, Minn. / North Dakota State)
First game(s)
Thursday, March 1 vs. Minnesota Duluth – 10 p.m. / 12 a.m.

 

Concordia University, St. Paul Golden Bears

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
23-26, 17-18 NSIC	9 + 3 SP / 0 + 2 SP	28	7th Overall
Team Preview
This Golden Bears enter 2018 after reaching the NSIC Tournament for the fifth consecutive season last year as CSP finished seventh in the league. Concordia will look to bounce back to their 2014-16 form in which the team collected at least 19 conference wins and finished sixth or better in each season, including earning a trip to the NSIC Championship in 2016. A big reason for optimism is that the Golden Bears return their entire starting lineup from last season, led by juniors Isaac Hormann and Carter Schmidt. Hormann hit .364 while splitting time between second base and center field to garner All-Region Second Team honors as a utility man as well as being named All-NSIC First Team and Gold Glove at second base. Schmidt followed close behind with a .343 average while catching all but one game on the season. On the mound, junior Gus Varland headlines a young, talented pitching staff after putting together a breakout sophomore campaign. Varland went 7-3 in 63.1 innings pitched while amassing the fifth-most strikeouts in the NSIC with 81. Connor Hurley and Keanu Mendez also return after both made seven starts or more for the squad last year.
Players to Watch
#4 Isaac Hormann (IF/OF, 5-10, 165, Jr., R/R, Young America, Minn. / Central HS) #14 Gus Varland (RHP, 6-1, 190, Jr., Maplewood, Minn. / North St. Paul HS)
First game(s)
Monday, Mar. 5 vs. Minot State – TBA (US Bank Stadium)

 

University of Mary Marauders

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
12-35, 8-30 NSIC	8 + 5 SP / 4 + 1 SP	20	15th Overall
Team Preview
The Marauders return an experienced team in 2017. Eight of the top 12 players in plate appearances and seven of the nine pitchers with the most innings are back for UMary. The Marauders feature six seniors and nine juniors who saw action last year.  Jake Johnson returns to again lead the pitching staff. He started nine games last season and was second on the team in wins (2), innings (48) and strikeouts (41). Travis Stevens, Alec DaMaria and Isaac Saad are all back after each started at least six games on the mound for UMary. Kenny Slominski, who appeared in a team-high 20 games last year, keys the bullpen. In addition to his work on the mound, Stevens led the Marauders in hitting (.326) and on base percentage (.421).  Chris Scott, Connor Doll, Darius Barlas and Daulton Sauce, all juniors, return after starting 30+ games last season. Looking to make an impact on the Marauders lineup is Jesus Payan, a transfer from Cedar Valley Community College where he earned all-region and academic All-American honors.
Players to Watch
#26 Jake Johnson (RHP, 6-1, 225, Sr., R/R, Cambridge, Minn./ Cambridge-Isanti HS) Jesus Payan (OF, 6-4, 225, Jr., R/R, Haslet, Texas / Tec de Monterrey HS / Cedar Valley CC)
First game(s)
March 1-10 at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational

 

University of Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
24-28, 18-20 NSIC	7 / 2	24	8th Overall
Team Preview
Minnesota Crookston looks to continue to build on the positive momentum of the last two seasons as they have made back-to-back appearances in the NSIC Tournament. The Golden Eagles have had one of the biggest turnarounds nationally under Head Coach Steve Gust as they have 63 wins in the last three seasons after winning just two games in the previous two seasons prior to Coach Gust’s arrival. The Golden Eagles return a lot of firepower from last season with seven returning starters in the field, along with five other players who saw time in the starting line-up last season. On the mound, Minnesota Crookston returns four starters to go with the conference’s leading closer over the last two seasons in Zach Seipel. Seipel is the Golden Eagle’s Pitcher to Watch after going 1-4 with a 2.41 ERA with a league-leading 12 saves in 24 appearances. Seipel was an All-NSIC Second Team pick last season. At the plate, look out for junior first baseman Reed Hjelle, who hit .339 last season with 32 runs scored, seven doubles, four triples and 26 RBI’s. Hjelle is Minnesota Crookston’s Player to Watch this season. He was a NSIC Gold Glove recipient at first base. Also watch out for center fielder Anthony Stewart, who was an All-NSIC Second Team pick last season. Stewart hit .332 with 47 runs scored, seven doubles, four triples, five home runs and 34 RBI’s. Stewart was also the program’s first-ever ABCA/Rawlings Glove recipient.
Players to Watch
#33 Reed Hjelle (1B, 6-2, 210, Jr., East Grand Forks, Minn. / East Grand Forks HS) #21 Zach Seipel (RHP, 6-3, 200, Jr., Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS)
First game(s)
Fri., Feb. 9 at Hawaii Pacific – 11 p.m.

 

University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
26-28, 18-19 NSIC	5 / 4	22	6th Overall
Team Preview
The Bulldogs retained a bulk of their top hitters including senior catcher Tyler Midas (.320 BA) and senior outfielder Brett Milazzo (.319) (both of whom will serve as team captains this spring). Sophomore shortstop/second baseman Chase Thomas (.302), and junior third baseman Ben Danielson (.480) also return. Danielson led the NSIC - in conference games only - in batting average (.419), slugging percentage (.817), and on-base percentage (.587). On the mound, UMD returns two of its top ERA leading relievers from 2017 in senior Jalen Busker (2.79) and Evan Vick (3.45), as well as starting pitchers sophomore Rece Dietrich (2.80), senior Marcus Frederickson (3.69) and Nick Dorfman (4.50).
Players to Watch
#16 Tyler Midas (C, 6-1, 240, Sr., R/R, Foley, Minn. / Foley HS) #5 Marcus Frederickson (LHP, 5-11, 175, Sr., L/L, Eagan, Minn. / Eastview HS)
First game(s)
Thursday March 1 vs. Bemidji State – 10 p.m. & 12 a.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium

 

Minnesota State University, Mankato Mavericks

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
46-11, 35-5 NSIC	7 + 2 SP / 2 + 2 SP	20	1st Overall
Team Preview
Minnesota State finished 2017 with a 46-11 (35-5 NSIC) record on its way to the 10th NSIC regular-season championship in program history — the fifth in the last eight years. The Mavericks, which claimed their fifth NSIC Tournament title last season, earned their 12th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and their 36th in program history. The Maverick pitching staff is led by senior Dalton Roach (10-1, 1.56 ERA, 86.2 IP, 128 K) – the Tomko Award recipient, a ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-American, CCA First Team All-American and Second Team NCBWA All-American in 2017. Roach set the program record for strikeouts in a single season with 128 in 2017. In the field, senior infielder Dylan Dresel (.328 AVG, .389 OB% 67 H, 13 HR, 11 2B, 57 RBI) was named All-NSIC First Team in 2017 after leading the team in home runs and RBI.
Players to Watch
#10 Dalton Roach (RHP, 6-2, 200, Sr., R/R, Eau Claire, Wis. / Memorial HS) #5 Dylan Dresel (INF, 6-0, 190, R-Sr., Chisago City, Minn. / Forest Lake HS)
First game(s)
Thursday, March 1 vs. Davenport – TBD

   

Minot State University Beavers

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
29-22, 23-17 NSIC	7 / 2	18	5th Overall
Team Preview
Minot State enters the 2018 season after posting a 29-22 record and finishing fifth in the NSIC in head coach Scott Eul’s first season in 2017. The Beavers return seven starters and 18 letterwinners from last season’s squad that went 1-2 in the NSIC tournament. Michael Borst was pegged as the Player to Watch after hitting .361 with six home runs and 59 RBI in 49 starts last season. Senior pitcher Justin Demary is the top returner for the pitching staff after posting a 6-2 record and 3.19 ERA in nine starts and 67.2 innings of work last season. The Beaver offense returns 58.4 percent of their run production and 68.8 percent of their stolen bases from last season. Top returners on the pitching staff are Wyatt Moore and Reilly O’Rourke. Moore made nine appearances and posted a 1.74 ERA in 31.0 innings of work while striking out 16 batters. O’Rourke recorded a 5.85 ERA and 2-2 record in eight appearances.
Players to Watch
#20 Michael Borst (1B/OF, 6-3, 225, Jr., McHenry, Ill. / McHenry Community West HS) #6 Justin Demary (Utility/RHP, 6-0, 185, Sr., Lake Charles, La. / Iowa / Pearl River CC)
First game(s)
Friday, Feb. 16 at Pittsburg State – 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 at Pittsburg State – 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18 at Pittsburg State – 1 p.m.

 

Northern State University Wolves

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
24-26, 17-21 NSIC	5 / 3	20	9th Overall
Team Preview
The Northern State baseball team is coming off a 24-26 season overall and 17-21 mark in the NSIC. The Wolves return five position starters (Leary, Sullwold, Lorenz, Schmidt, Carolin) from a year ago, as well as starting pitchers Luke Chevalier and Thomas Sertic. Kolin Kubitz, a 2016 starter for the Wolves, also returns after a redshirt season. Northern welcomes 20 new faces in 2018, including ten junior college transfers. Four Wolves hit above .300 a season ago, led by NSIC Preseason Player of the Year Lucas Lorenz with a .347 average. The Aberdeen native led the team with 58 hits, 57 RBI, 46 runs scored, 15 homeruns, 14 doubles, four triples, and a .749 slugging percentage. Lorenz was named the NSU player to watch alongside starting ace Luke Chevalier. The right-hander threw 69.1 innings for the Wolves with a team leading 1.82 ERA. He notched six wins and tallied 73 strikeouts, with an opponent batting average of .198. Chevalier broke modern single season records for strikeouts and ERA. Both Lorenz and Chevalier were named to the NSIC All-Conference and ABCA All-Region teams. Jack Schmidt also returns to action for the Wolves after a .341 season with 58 hits, 47 RBI, 40 runs scored, 11 homeruns, seven doubles, and two triples. Schmidt and Lorenz combined for over a quarter of the team’s offense in 2017, as both are on pace to break numerous career records in 2018. The Wolves will open the season at the Tucson Invitational with nine games slated from March 4-10.
Players to Watch
#12 Lucas Lorenz (OF, 6-0, 220, Sr., R/R, Aberdeen, S.D. / Roncalli HS) #17 Luke Chevalier (RHP, 6-1, 190, R-Jr., R/R, Barnstable, Mass./Sturgis Charter HS)
First game(s)
Sunday, Mar. 4 at Tucson Invitational

 

University of Sioux Falls Cougars

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
19-31, 16-24 NSIC	7 / 3	25	12th overall
Team Preview
With a large group of starters and letter winners returning, the University of Sioux Falls Baseball Team, directed by second year head coach Grant Hieb, will look to improve on its overall 19-31 record (16-24 NSIC) and return to the NSIC Postseason Tourney. Led by All-NSIC first baseman Josh Rehwaldt, who ranked fourth in the NSIC in hitting (.389) and fifth in hits (74) and RBI (49), USF features seven returning starters along with several who played key roles a year ago. Standout catcher Connor Merriam is back (49 straight starts, .268, 5 HR, .988 fielding percentage, 42 assists, including throwing 13 runners out, 5th, NSIC). OF/DH Matthew Minnick, who was named All-NSIC in 2015, has career marks of 17 HR, 111 RBI, .507 slugging mark and a .332 batting average in 145 games. Others returning include pitcher and infielder Dylan Gavin (10 career wins, .312 career batting average), standout infielder Brent Jarvis (.282, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 11 SB, 48 hits), centerfielder Rob Johnson (.326, 22 RBI, and a league-high 25 SB in 2017). The Cougars also return a solid pitching core led by junior Dan Johnson, who was 3-4 with a 3.72 ERA in eight starts. USF returns senior right-hander Stuart Maes, who was 2-5 with a 5.48 ERA with a team-high 16 appearances a year ago. Keenahn Coyle, Cody Blackwell, Mitchell Lyall, Christian Lazar and Jackson Olson also will contribute in the bullpen.
Players to Watch
#36 Josh Rehwaldt (1B, 6-6, 200, Jr., R/R, Burnsville, Minn. / Apple Valley HS). #22 Dylan Gavin (P-3B, 6-4, 205, Sr., R/R, Pueblo, Colo. / East HS)
First game(s)
Friday, Feb. 16 at MSU Denver - 1 p.m.

 

Southwest Minnesota State University

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
15-33, 10-28 NSIC	6 / 3	21	14th Overall
Team Preview
The 2018 SMSU squad features 21 returning letter winners from last season’s team that finished 15-33 overall, including 10-28 in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. SMSU returns several of its top hitters from last season, including senior first baseman Shane Sellner, who is the team’s top returning hitter. Sellner batted .297 with four doubles, two home runs and a team-high 25 RBIs, while appearing in 47 games with 45 starts. Sophomore Tanner Strommen started all 48 games during his rookie season at shortstop and batted .269 with seven doubles and seven stolen bases.  The pitching staff returns 12 hurlers, including seven who combined to start 45 of 48 games last season. Junior left-hander Cole Petersen, who earned second team All-NSIC honors last season, finished 6-2 with a 1.70 ERA in team-high 53 innings. The 1.70 ERA is the second lowest in team single-season history, while limiting opponents to a .246 batting average.
Players to Watch
#10 Tanner Strommen (OF, 6-0, 195, So., R/R, Burlington, Iowa / Burlington HS) #15 Justin Clark (RHP, 5-11, 198, Jr., Maple Grove, Minn. / Osseo HS)
First game(s)
Saturday, March 3 in Tucson, Arizona

 

St. Cloud State University Huskies

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
41-18, 28-11 NSIC	13 / 4	20	3rd
Team Preview
St. Cloud State is coming off of an impressive 2017 campaign where the club returned to the NCAA Regional Tournament for their third consecutive year. The Huskies are returning eight of their nine starters in the field and five of their six starting pitchers from 2017. NSIC Gold Glove third-baseman, Ethan Ibarra and two-time All-American left-handed pitcher, Sheldon Miks are of notable returnees for the Huskies. St. Cloud State is returning their top three leaders in batting average in Mitch Mallek (.350), Mat Meyer (.347) and Judd Davis (.344).
Players to Watch
#21 Mitch Mallek (C, OF, 6-1, 195, Jr., Plover, Wis. / Stevens Point Area HS) #19 Cal Giese (LHP, 6-0, 205, Jr., Plover, Wis./ Stevens Point Area HS)
First game(s)
Friday-Sunday, Feb. 16-18 at Missouri Western State

 

Upper Iowa University Peacocks

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
19-29, 15-25 NSIC	4 / 5	17	13th
Team Preview
The Peacocks return for their second season under Head Coach Brandon Hunt after wrapping up the 2017 season 19-29 and 15-25 in the NSIC. Upper Iowa finished 13th in the Northern Sun Conference, but were a mere four games out of the top eight in the league with multiple close losses. UIU said goodbye to 10 seniors, and have big shoes to fill in 2018. Amongst the talent coming back includes Players to Watch Brett Fanning and Jacob Greco. Fanning earned All-NSIC Second Team honors a year ago after posting a 6-3 record with a 2.29 earned run average in 63 innings. Fanning bounced back after a pair of season-altering injuries over the last two seasons to lead the Peacock pitching staff. The Spring Valley, Ill. native was even better against Northern Sun Conference opponents with a 5-3 record and a 1.36 ERA, which was second-best among conference starting pitchers. His mere eight runs to conference teams was second-best in the league as well, and added seven complete games with a pair of shutouts. Greco returns after a .298 batting average in 2017, and the outfielder/first baseman slugged .481 to lead the team. His 16 extra base hits led the team as he preps for his final season. UIU also returns Zac Cain, Dominic Hillesheim, Emmett Kulick, and others for the 2018 campaign.
Players to Watch
#11 Jake Greco (OF, 6-1, 205, Gr., R/R/, Fayette, Iowa / North Fayette HS) #6 Brett Fanning (RHP, 5-11, Gr., Spring Valley, Ill. / Hall HS)
First game(s)
Wednesday, March 7 vs. Quincy – 1 p.m.

Wayne State College Wildcats

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
29-24, 23-15 NSIC	5 / 4	18	4th Overall
Team Preview
Wayne State improved dramatically in the pitching department last season, resulting in a 29-24 overall record and fourth place finish in the NSIC at 23-15.  The team’s ERA improved from 8.22 to 4.97 and the Wildcats were 14-6 in games decided by two runs or less.  WSC returns five field position starters but only returns two of six starters from its pitching rotation while losing their top two relievers last year who combined for 47 appearances, an 8-2 record and 10 saves.  Headlining the Wildcat offense is senior David Janes, a Second Team All-NSIC outfielder last season who will move to catcher this season.  Janes hit .348 with 11 multi-hit games and a team-high 18-game hitting streak.  Other key returning starters back include sophomore outfielder Jackson Petersen, who led the team with a .353 batting average, and senior infielder Tanner Simons who had four homers and a team-high 40 RBI last season with a .301 average.  The Wildcat pitching staff is led by sophomore Aidan Breedlove, who was 5-4 in 12 starts last season with a 2.95 ERA, fanning 53 batters in 61 innings of work while allowing just two home runs.
Players to Watch
#21 David Janes (C, 5-8, 185, Sr., R/R, Dubuque, Iowa / Ellsworth CC) #17 Aidan Breedlove (RHP, 5-10, 155, So., Omaha, Neb. / Westside HS)
First game(s)
Friday, February 16 at Regis (Colo.) - 2 p.m.

Winona State University Warriors

Last Year	Starters Returning/Lost	Letter winners Returning	2017 Standings
17-33, 17-23 NSIC	8 / 6	15	10th Overall
Team Preview
The Warriors look to break a streak of three consecutive 30-loss seasons in the 2018 campaign. Head coach Kyle Poock returns for his 16th season as Warrior skipper after recording his 400th career win late last year. Winona State will be a relatively young squad this season, featuring just eight upperclassmen on the roster. Sam Kohnle led WSU with a .382 batting average last season as a redshirt freshman while striking out a league-low six times in 36 games (102 at-bats). The Warriors had nine different starting pitchers toe the rubber last season as the team posted a collective 5.77 ERA. Winona ranked fourth in the NSIC a year ago in fielding percentage (.965).
Players to Watch
#33 Sam Kohnle (IF, 6-3, 200, R-So., R/R, Tisch Milles, Wis. / Kewanee HS) #24 Aaron Mutter (RHP, 6-4, 240, So., Burlington, Wis. / Burlington HS)
First game(s)
Friday, Feb. 16 at Central Missouri