Ball State University Athletics
Baseball Tabbed MAC Preseason Favorite In Coaches' Poll
January 28, 2010 | Baseball
MUNCIE, Ind. - The Ball State baseball team has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to claim the 2010 Mid-American Conference West Division and MAC Tournament titles, as chosen by the league's head coaches. The Cardinals received a league-high 72 points to claim the MAC West Division's top spot and were chosen by five coaches to claim their second MAC Tournament title in program history.
"This is a very tough conference and to be the preseason favorite is humbling," eighth-year head coach Greg Beals said. "We have very high goals and expectations for this season but our schedule is demanding, including five out of nine MAC series on the road. We know we have our work cut out for us to realize our goals and expectations. We are very excited about the season and our guys have been through the wringer and are primed for something special."
The Cardinals return 16 letterwinners from last season's MAC West Division championship team that posted a 26-25 overall record and a 14-10 MAC ledger. Highlighting the Cardinals in 2010 are three returning All-MAC performers in junior second baseman (Bryan, Ohio/Bryan), senior catcher (Angola, Ind./Angola) and sophomore first baseman (La Porte, Ind./La Porte). Ian NielsenZach DygertKolbrin Vitek
Vitek, a preseason Louisville Slugger All-America selection, finished second on the team and sixth in the MAC with a .389 batting average. He also led the MAC in doubles (25), was second in RBI (67), third in slugging percentage (.736), third in total bases (153) and was fourth on the mound in opponent batting average (.268).
Dygert, the two-time team captain, posted a .350 batting average last spring and was second on the team with 58 RBI when he earned First Team All-MAC accolades. Nielsen earned numerous Freshman All-America honors last spring when he recorded a .352 batting average while driving in 56 runs.
Toledo was picked to finish second in the West Division and was followed by Central Michigan in third place. Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan rounded out the remaining sports in the West. Defending MAC regular season champion Bowling Green was tabbed first in the East Division, followed by 2009 MAC Tournament Champion Kent State, Ohio, Miami, Akron and Buffalo.
Ball State opens the 2010 season with a three-game series at College World Series third-place finisher Arkansas February 19-21. The 2010 MAC Tournament takes place May 26-29 at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio.
2010 MAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
West Division
1. Ball State - 72 points
2. Toledo - 52 points
3. Central Michigan - 44 points
4. Eastern Michigan - 35 points
5. Northern Illinois - 29 points
6. Western Michigan - 21 points
East Division
1. Bowling Green - 64 points
2. Kent State - 61 points
3. Ohio - 49 points
4. Miami - 39 points
5. Akron - 25 points
6. Buffalo - 14 points
Tournament Champion:
Ball State (5), Kent State (3), Bowling Green (2), Eastern Michigan (1), Miami (1)
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