Muncie Reporter

Cardinals Voted to Finish First in MAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll

The Mid-American Conference announced its annual Preseason Coaches' Poll on Wednesday. The Ball State baseball team was voted to finish first in the regular season with five first-place votes.

 

Despite losing all three of its starting outfielders and ace pitcher from a season ago, Ball State picked up five first-place votes and are favorites to win the MAC according to the coaches in the conference. BSU also secured five votes to win the MAC Tournament.

 

The Cardinals will be led by defending Gold Glove winner, Ryan Peltier, and closer, Sam Klein. Both Peltier and Klein earned Preseason All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Klein was named to a Preseason All-America team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

 

BSU will have most of its starting rotation return, including Trennor O'Donnell and Ty Johnson. Ryan Brown was named the No. 49 prospect in college baseball by D1 Baseball. The Cardinals were effective as a pitching staff, striking out 559 batters, and look to continue the success on the mound this season.

 

Ball State begins the 2023 campaign on the road against Charlotte for a four-game series. First pitch for Friday, Feb. 17, is scheduled for 4 p.m.

 

"It is always nice to receive recognition from your peers, but preseason polls don't mean a whole lot outside of some respect earned from past success," said Head Coach Rich Maloney. "We are excited to get the season started and attempt to become the best team we can be."

 

2023 Baseball Preseason Poll (first place votes)

1. Ball State (5) – 115 points

2. Central Michigan (3) – 107 points

3. Kent State (1) – 96 points

4. Toledo (1) – 86 points

5. Miami (1) – 70 points

6. Ohio – 68 points

7. Western Michigan – 53 points

8. Eastern Michigan – 52 points

9. Bowling Green – 39 points

10. Northern Illinois – 27 points

11. Akron – 13 points

Original source can be found here.