Northwest baseball picked 10th in MIAA poll

The Northwest Missouri State baseball team was picked 10th in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll released Wednesday, while three-time league champion Central Missouri was projected to win it again.

The Mules received 14 of a possible 15 first place votes to earn the top spot with 196 points. Central Missouri hosted the NCAA South Central Regional last season, falling in the regional championship game to St. Mary's.

The Mules, who finished 48-9 last season are ranked #4 in this season's ABCA preseason poll.

Missouri Western, who finished last season 34-17, has earned the No. 2 spot in this season's poll, taking the remaining first place vote.

The Griffons are picked #37 in the ABCA preseason poll released on Dec. 20, 2012. They are followed by No. 3 Emporia State, who finished 26-22 last season and are picked #40 in the ABCA preseason poll.

Central Oklahoma, in its first year as members of the MIAA, is picked to finish fourth with 152 points.

They come in ahead of Fort Hays State, picked No. 5 with 136 points, one point ahead of No. 6 Missouri Southern.

Washburn is picked No. 7 in this season's poll with 118 points, 10 ahead of No. 8 pick Lindenwood.

Pittsburg State is picked to finish ninth in the league followed closely by No. 10 Northwest Missouri.

Just two points separate No. 11 Northeastern State (64) from No. 12 Nebraska-Kearney (62). The same stands for No. 13 Southwest Baptist (43) and No. 14 Truman (41) in this year's poll. Lincoln holds the final spot with 19 points.

The Bearcats just missed the 2012 MIAA Tournament and return nearly every position player for 2013, including All-Region utility man Eric McGlauflin and All-MIAA first teamer Ryan Abernathy. Northwest opens the 2013 season Feb. 8 with a three-game series against Arkansas-Monticello.

Conference play begins the following weekend against Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla.

MIAA Preseason Baseball Poll

(first place votes in parenthesis)

1. Central Missouri (14)— 196 pts.

2. Missouri Western (1)– 175 pts.

3. Emporia State— 160 pts.

4. Central Oklahoma— 152 pts.

5. Fort Hays State— 136 pts.

6. Missouri Southern— 135 pts.

7. Washburn– 118 pts.

8. Lindenwood – 108 pts.

9. Pittsburg State – 91 pts.

10. Northwest Missouri – 75 pts.

11. Northeastern State— 64 pts.

12. Nebraska-Kearney— 62 pts.

13. Southwest Baptist— 43 pts.

14. Truman State—41 pts.

15. Lincoln—19 pts.