Photo by: Mic Smith
Ball State Baseball Tabbed Third in MAC Preseason Poll
February 21, 2018 | Baseball
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Ball State baseball team was recently picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll as voted upon by the league's head coaches.
Ball State has won at least 30 games each of the last five seasons. There are 15 newcomers on the roster this spring, the most in coach Rich Maloney's tenure at Ball State. The new-look Cardinals will have to replace 78.8 percent of their home runs (26 of 33), 61.0 percent of their RBIs (188 of 308) and 60.5 percent of their runs scored (207 of 342) from a year ago.
Senior infielder Seth Freed is the top returnee in each of categories listed above – three home runs, 31 RBIs and 39 runs scored. Sophomore John Baker is the team's number one returning pitcher. The righy went 5-2 with a 4.28 ERA in 61 innings pitched in his first year as a Cardinal.
The Cardinals won 14 of their final 18 MAC games in 2017 to finish tied for second in the MAC West Division. The league has eliminated division distinctions this season.
Kent State was tabbed as the conference favorite. The Golden Flashes finished 37-18 overall in 2017 and took home the MAC regular season title with an 18-6 league mark.
Ball State (2-2) begins MAC competition on March 23 with a three-game road series at Kent State. The MAC Baseball Tournament will take place May 23-27 at Sprenger Stadium in Avon, Ohio.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
2018 MAC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Kent State – 98 points (8 first place votes)
2. Central Michigan – 86
3. Ball State – 73
4. Ohio – 70
5. Miami – 49 (1)
6. Western Michigan – 47
7. Eastern Michigan – 40
8. Toledo – 36
9. Northern Illinois – 35 (1)
10. Bowling Green -- 16
Ball State has won at least 30 games each of the last five seasons. There are 15 newcomers on the roster this spring, the most in coach Rich Maloney's tenure at Ball State. The new-look Cardinals will have to replace 78.8 percent of their home runs (26 of 33), 61.0 percent of their RBIs (188 of 308) and 60.5 percent of their runs scored (207 of 342) from a year ago.
Senior infielder Seth Freed is the top returnee in each of categories listed above – three home runs, 31 RBIs and 39 runs scored. Sophomore John Baker is the team's number one returning pitcher. The righy went 5-2 with a 4.28 ERA in 61 innings pitched in his first year as a Cardinal.
The Cardinals won 14 of their final 18 MAC games in 2017 to finish tied for second in the MAC West Division. The league has eliminated division distinctions this season.
Kent State was tabbed as the conference favorite. The Golden Flashes finished 37-18 overall in 2017 and took home the MAC regular season title with an 18-6 league mark.
Ball State (2-2) begins MAC competition on March 23 with a three-game road series at Kent State. The MAC Baseball Tournament will take place May 23-27 at Sprenger Stadium in Avon, Ohio.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
2018 MAC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Kent State – 98 points (8 first place votes)
2. Central Michigan – 86
3. Ball State – 73
4. Ohio – 70
5. Miami – 49 (1)
6. Western Michigan – 47
7. Eastern Michigan – 40
8. Toledo – 36
9. Northern Illinois – 35 (1)
10. Bowling Green -- 16
Players Mentioned
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