For Immediate Release
Thursday, January 17, 2019
NSIC Media Relations
PDF Release
Augustana Picked First in Preseason Baseball Coaches’ Poll
BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The defending NCAA Division II National Champions of Augustana University were the top pick in the 2019 NSIC Preseason Baseball Coaches’ Poll. This marks the first time since joining the NSIC in 2008 that the Vikings have been picked to win the league. Augustana, the defending NSIC Tournament champions, amassed 193 points after receiving 13 first place votes (coaches can’t vote for their own team). Minnesota State was second with 175 points and two first place votes. Minot State, the defending regular season champions, were picked third with 172 points, while St. Cloud State was fourth with 162 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 1 with NSIC play beginning on March 16.
The 2019 NSIC Baseball Tournament will take the top eight teams in the final NSIC Standings. The double elimination tournament takes place May 8-11 at the MAC in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
NSIC Players to Watch - 2019
Preseason Players of the Year in Italics (More info at link above)
| School |
# |
Name |
Pos |
Ht |
WT |
YR |
B/T |
Hometown |
High School |
| AUGIE |
4 |
Jordan Barth |
1B/3B |
6’1 |
200 |
SO |
R/R |
Cold Spring, Minn. |
Rocori |
| BSU |
8 |
Isaiah Grancorvitz |
C |
5’10 |
171 |
SO |
R/R |
Hudson, Wis. |
Hudson |
| CSP |
5 |
Carter Schmidt |
C/OF |
6’1 |
185 |
SR |
R/R |
Chaska, Minn. |
Chaska |
| UM |
34 |
Jesus Payan |
OF |
6’4 |
245 |
SR |
R/R |
Chihuahua, Mexico |
Tec de Monterrey |
| UMC |
33 |
Reed Hjelle |
1B |
6'2 |
210 |
SR |
R/R |
East Grand Forks, Minn. |
East Grand Forks |
| UMD |
2 |
Henry George |
OF |
5’8 |
160 |
SO |
L/L |
Woodbury, Minn. |
New Life Academy |
| MSU |
2 |
Teddy Petersen |
IF |
5’9 |
190 |
JR |
R/R |
Glencoe, Minn. |
Glencoe-Silver Lake |
| MISU |
20 |
Michael Borst |
OF |
6’3 |
225 |
SR |
R/R |
Mchenry, Ill. |
Mchenry Community West |
| NSU |
47 |
Dakota Stilson |
C |
6’1 |
220 |
SR |
R/R |
Clovis, Calif |
Clovis |
| USF |
36 |
Josh Rehwaldt |
1B |
6’6 |
245 |
SR |
L/R |
Apple Valley, Minn. |
Apple Valley |
| SMSU |
37 |
Ben Heichel |
OF |
6’0 |
215 |
JR |
R/R |
North Mankato, Minn. |
Mankato West |
| SCSU |
26 |
Mitch Mallek |
RF |
6’3 |
195 |
SR |
L/R |
Plover, Wis. |
Stevens Point |
| UIU |
30 |
Zac Cain |
OF/1B |
6’3 |
215 |
SR |
L/R |
Plymouth, Wis. |
Plymouth |
| WSC |
9 |
Andrew Hanson |
2B |
6’1 |
185 |
SO |
R/R |
Burnsville, Minn. |
Burnsville |
| WSU |
2 |
Derek Martin |
SS |
6’1 |
195 |
JR |
R/R |
Waconia, Minn. |
Waconia |
| School |
# |
Name |
Pos |
HT |
WT |
YR |
Hometown |
High School |
| AUGIE |
48 |
Peyton Zabel |
RHP |
6’6 |
235 |
FR |
Pierre, S.D. |
T.F. Riggs |
| BSU |
19 |
Jesse Palafox |
RHP |
5'11 |
175 |
JR |
San Bruno, Calif. |
Capuchino |
| CSP |
17 |
Louie Varland |
RHP |
6’1 |
205 |
JR |
North St. Paul, MN |
North St. Paul |
| UM |
25 |
Charles Bielejeski |
RHP |
6’3 |
210 |
SR |
Blaine, Minn. |
Blaine |
| UMC |
24 |
Zach Rustad |
LHP |
5’10 |
190 |
SR |
Blaine, Minn. |
Blaine |
| UMD |
24 |
Evan Vick |
RHP |
6’3 |
215 |
SR |
Byron, Minn. |
Byron |
| MSU |
20 |
Trevor Divinski |
RHP |
6’3 |
220 |
SO |
Eden Prairie, Minn. |
Eden Prairie |
| MISU |
24 |
Jaymon Cervantes |
RHP |
6’2 |
220 |
SR |
Tucson, Ariz. |
Empire |
| NSU |
17 |
Luke Chevalier |
RHP |
6’1 |
210 |
SR |
Barnstable, Mass. |
Sturgis Charter |
| USF |
6 |
Brandon Roesler |
RHP |
6’0 |
200 |
SO |
Kindred, N.D. |
Kindred |
| SMSU |
22 |
John Bezdicek |
LHP |
6’3 |
200 |
SO |
Plymouth, Minn. |
Osseo |
| SCSU |
4 |
Dom Austing |
RHP |
6’1 |
190 |
SR |
Sauk Rapids, Minn. |
Cathedral |
| UIU |
1 |
Colin Lacey |
LHP |
5’11 |
175 |
SO |
Pleasant Hill, Iowa |
Dowling Catholic |
| WSC |
22 |
Aaron Ras |
LHP |
6’0 |
195 |
SO |
Bancroft, Neb. |
Bancroft-Rosalie |
| WSU |
24 |
Aaron Mutter |
RHP |
6’5 |
2409 |
JR |
Burlington, Wis. |
Burlington |
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