For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016
NSIC Media Relations
Media Packet

BURNSVILLE, Minn. - St. Cloud State University was the top pick in the 2016 NSIC Preseason Baseball Coaches’ Poll.  This marks the first time since rejoining the NSIC in 2008 the Huskies have been picked to win the league. St. Cloud State amassed 190 points after receiving 10 first place votes (coaches can’t vote for their own team). Minnesota State, which was picked to win the league the past six seasons, was a close second with 187 points and five first place votes. Augustana was picked third with 165 points, while Minnesota Duluth was fourth with 156 points while Winona State rounded out the top five with its 134 points.  

The preseason coaches’ poll is based off each coach ranking each team from 14 to 1 with the top team receiving 14 points, second 13, third 12, etc.

The baseball season gets underway on February 5 with NSIC play beginning on March 25.

The 2016 NSIC Baseball Tournament will take the top eight teams in the final NSIC Standings. The double elimination tournament takes place May 11-15 in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
 

2016 NSIC Preseason Coaches' Poll	Points
1. St. Cloud State (10)	190
2. Minnesota State (5)	187
3. Augustana	165
4. Minnesota Duluth	156
5. Winona State	134
6. Wayne State	126
7. Concordia-St. Paul	122
8. Northern State	114
9. Southwest Minnesota State	79
10. Bemidji State	77
11. Sioux Falls	71
12. Upper Iowa	59
13. Minot State	44
14. Minnesota Crookston	34
15. University of Mary	17
First place votes in ( )

 

#35 Alex Wojciechowski (1B, 6-5, 230, Sr., R/R, Coon Rapids, Minn.) - Career .386/.462/.634 hitter with 20 HR, 44 2B, 122 RBI, 125 R - Set UMD single season record with 137 total bases in 2015 - 2015 ABCA All-Central Region First Team - 2013 ABCA All-Central Region Second Team - 2015, 2013 Daktronics All-Central Region First Team - 2015, 2013 Daktronics All-America Third Team - 2015, 2013 All-NSIC First Team - 2014 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year - 2013 NSIC Player of the Year & Freshman of the Year

#28 Reese Gregory (RHP, 6-0, 220, Sr., R/R, St. Cloud, Minn.) - A three-time All-America award recipient at St. Cloud State - 2015 NSIC Pitcher of the Year - 2015 Daktronic Division II Pitcher of the Year - Perfect 13-0 record in 2015 with a 1.49 ERA, six saves and 92 Ks   - Owns a 25-4 career record, including 187 career strikeouts - 2015 Central All-Region Pitcher (ABCA, Daktronics and NCBWA) - A three-time All-NSIC First Team pick at pitcher during his career - Led all NCAA DII pitchers in 2015 with 13 victories and a 1.000 winning percentage (13-0)

 

2016 NSIC Players to Watch

Augustana

8 Patrick Fiala (IF, 6-0, 200, Sr., R/R, Sioux Falls S.D.)

17 Ryan Hamilton (RHP, 6-0, 195, Jr., R/R, Spearfish S.D.)

Bemidji State

5 Joey Hanowski (3B/C, 5-10, 210, Sr., L/R, Little Falls, Minn.)

33 Terry Hadden (P/OF, 6-1, 180, Jr., R/R, Elk River, Minn.)

Concordia-St. Paul

6 Eric Fasnacht (SS, 510, 165, Sr., R/R, Minnetonka, Minn.)

35 Zach Rengel (LHP, 6-2, 200, Sr., L/L, Fergus Falls, Minn.)

University of Mary

3 Jason Shaul (INF/OF, 5-10, 185, Sr., L/R, New Ulm, Minn.)

26 Jake Johnson (RHP, 6-1, 225, So., R/R, Cambridge, Minn.)

Minnesota Crookston

8 Ryan Haggstrom (1B, 6-5, 210, Sr., R/R, Apple Valley, Minn.)

32 Nolan Wahlberg (RHP, 6-6, 225, Sr., R/R, Blaine, Minn.)

Minnesota Duluth

35 Alex Wojciechowski (1B, 6-5, 230, Sr., R/R, Coon Rapids, Minn.)

15 Bo Hellquist (LHP, 6-3, 170, Sr., L/L, Savage, Minn.)

Minnesota State

2 Taylor Branstad (OF, 5-9, 185, Sr., L/L, Apple Valley, Minn.)

10 Dalton Roach (RHP, 6-2, 200, So., R/R, Eau Claire, Wis.)

Minot State

13  Jordan Schulz (OF, 6-3, 200, Jr., L/R, Strasbourg, Sask.)

16  Austin Berntson (LHP, 5-9,  205, Sr., L/L, Minot, N.D.)

Northern State

24 Jack Schmidt (OF, 6-1, 190, So., R/R, Forest Lake, Minn.)

37 Colton Boucher (RHP, 6-2, 195, Sr., R/R, Chehalis, Wash.)

Sioux Falls

16 Matthew Minnick (OF, 6-1, 205, So., R/R, Rapid City, S.D.)

27 Patrick  Anderson (RHP, 6-4, 180,  Sr., R/R,  Virginia, Minn.)

Southwest Minnesota State

3 Derek Branson (OF, 6-0, 185, R/R, Minnetonka, Minn.)

14 Alex Jorgensen (RHP, 6-4, 215, R/R, DePere, Wis.)

St. Cloud State

15 Kyle Lieser (SS, 6-1, 190, Sr., R/R, Albany, Minn.)

28 Reese Gregory (RHP, 6-0, 220, Sr., R/R, St. Cloud, Minn.)

Upper Iowa

11 Jake Greco (CF, 6-1, 190, So., R/R, Fayette, Iowa)

6 Brett Fanning (RHP, 5-10, 175, So., R/R, Spring Valley, Ill.)

Wayne State

27 Nate Ackerman (OF, 6-2, 220, Sr., R/R, Langley, B.C.)

7 Curtis Bussard (LHP, 6-0, 175, Sr., L/L, Papillion, Neb.)

Winona State

19 Tyler Nehring (3B, 5-10, 200, Sr., R/R, DePere, Wis.)

17 Mitchell Voter (RHP, 6-3, 220, Sr., R/R, La Crosse, Wis.)