Ball State University Athletics
Baseball Picked As One of the MAC Preseason Favorites
February 17, 2016 | Baseball
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Ball State University baseball team was picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference West Division in a preseason poll conducted by the league's head coaches.
The Cardinals return every position starter except one from last year's squad that finished 33-25 overall and advanced to the MAC championship game. In the previous three seasons under head coach Rich Maloney, Ball State has advanced to two league title games and won the 2014 MAC regular season championship.
Central Michigan was the slight favorite over Ball State in the MAC West. The Chippewas tallied six first-place votes and 56 points overall compared to three first-place votes and 53 points for the Cardinals. The two teams are scheduled to meet at Central Michigan in mid-April.
Kent State was the favorite in the MAC East and also earned the most votes for MAC Tournament champion (four). Ball State is not scheduled to play the Golden Flashes in a league series this year, but the two teams will face off in Florida on Feb. 27 as part of the Russ Matt Invitational.
Ball State is set to open its season this weekend at the Surprise College Baseball Classic in Surprise, Arizona. The Cardinals take on No. 5 Oregon State in the opener this Friday 3 p.m. ET/1 p.m. MT.
For the most up-to-date information on the Ball State baseball team, please follow @BallStateSports, @BallStateBB and @CoachMaloney.
MAC Baseball East Division Predictions
1. Kent State Golden Flashes — 63 points (9 1st place votes)
2. Ohio Bobcats — 55 points (2)
3. Bowling Green Falcons — 43 points
4. Miami RedHawks — 37 points
5. Buffalo Bulls — 22 points
MAC Baseball West Division Predictions
1. Central Michigan Chippewas — 56 points (6)
2. Ball State Cardinals — 53 points (3)
3. Western Michigan Broncos — 42 points (1)
4. Toledo Rockets — 41 points
5. Northern Illinois Huskies — 24 points (1)
6. Eastern Michigan Eagles — 15 points
TOURNAMENT CHAMPION VOTES: Kent State (4), Central Michigan (2), Ball State (1), Bowling Green (1), Miami (1), NIU (1), Western Michigan (1)
