2025 NSIC Baseball Preseason Poll 1/16/2025 10:00:00 AM Augustana picked in NSIC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The three-time defending NSIC Regular Season and reigning NSIC Tournament Champions of Augustana University were the top pick in the 2025 NSIC Preseason Baseball Coaches’ Poll. The Vikings amassed 165 points after receiving nine first place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team). Minnesota State was second with 161 points and the other five first place votes. Minnesota Crookston was picked third with 136 points while St. Cloud State was fourth (123) and Wayne State was fifth (120). The preseason coaches’ poll is based off each coach ranking each team with the top team receiving 13 points, second 12, third 11, etc.The baseball non-conference season gets underway Friday, January 31 with teams competing in Tucson, Arizona. NSIC play will begin in mid-February again this season with neutral site contests. The 2025 NSIC Baseball Tournament will take the top eight teams in the final NSIC Standings. The eight-team double elimination NSIC Tournament takes place May 7-10, hosted by Augustana and the University of Sioux Falls at Ronken Field and the Birdcage in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The tournament will be streamed on the NSIC Network, with tournament passes or single game access available for purchase. #23 Jack Hines (INF, 6-2, 210, Sr., R/R, Lombard, Ill. / Willowbrook HS) - Augustana University D2CCA and NCBWA National Player of the YearConsensus First Team All-AmericanConsensus Central Region Player of the YearReigning NSIC Player of the YearHit .432 in conference play and led the league with a 1.393 OPS and a .921 slugging percentageHit six triples, 17 home runs, drove in 66 RBI and tallied 128 total bases in conference play, all NSIC-bestsScored 50 runs and recorded 60 hits while stealing 12 basesFinished the season hitting .445 overall with a 1.337 OPS, and .852 slugging percentageSet the school records with 21 home runs and 89 RBINamed NSIC Player of the Week twice during season The year Jack had last spring speaks for itself about how good he is. I'm really proud of Jack, not for the stats he has put up but how much he has grown from year one in our program to now. As a person, a quiet leader, a guy who is an ultimate team player. Jack coming back obviously changes our team on the field but his presence off it is also really important. Head Coach Tim Huber #8 Ashton Michek (LHP, 6-3, 210, Jr., L/L, Bangor, Wis. / Bangor HS) - Augustana University D2CCA and NCWBA All-Region First TeamABCA All-Region Second TeamReigning NSIC Pitcher of the YearWent 6-2 in conference play, with a 2.92 ERA and 1.04 WHIP in 52 1/3 innings pitchedOpponents hit just .202 against him in conference playFinished with a league-high 66 strikeouts and walked just 17 in NSIC actionThrew a pair of complete gamesRacked up a program-record 11 pickoffs, breaking his own record set in 2023Went 8-3 with a 3.64 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings in 2024Earned NSIC Pitcher of the Week honors on March 4 Ashton has gotten bigger and stronger and improved each of his first two seasons and I expect more of the same this year. He isn't happy just being where he is at, he wants to get better and we expect him to have another big year for us. Head Coach Tim Huber COACHES' QUOTES & PLAYERS/PITCHERS TO WATCH AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY We are going to be deeper and more talented offensively than most people expect I think. But on the mound is where this year's team should really stand out again this spring. We have had some really good pitching staffs over the years and this group has a chance to be one of the best and deepest we have ever had. Head Coach Tim Huber The year Jack had last spring speaks for itself about how good he is. I'm really proud of Jack, not for the stats he has put up but how much he has grown from year one in our program to now. As a person, a quiet leader, a guy who is an ultimate team player. Jack coming back obviously changes our team on the field but his presence off it is also really important. Head Coach Tim Huber Ashton has gotten bigger and stronger and improved each of his first two seasons and I expect more of the same this year. He isn't happy just being where he is at, he wants to get better and we expect him to have another big year for us. Head Coach Tim Huber BEMIDJI STATE UNIVERSITY This year we feel as it is a fresh start for BSU Baseball. Last year we had many injuries which allowed other players to gain valuable experience. Those players who gained experience coupled with bringing in many new faces we feel we are a completely different team than last year. We are excited to continue to build and grow Beaver Baseball and are excited for the 2025 season. Head Coach Matt Ellinghuysen Zach is a team leader and looks to continue his success not only as a hitter but also as a pitcher this upcoming season. Last year he was a constant force in our lineup and on the mound. Evenson is as reliable as it gets and will a huge difference in the success this year for the Beavers. Evenson has already left a lasting mark on the program and is a great model for younger players for years to come. Head Coach Matt Ellinghuysen Derek is our most experienced member of our pitching staff and has put the work in to become our ace. Hoffman is a great example of how hard work pays off and he continues to push our pitching staff to newer heights. This upcoming season Hoffman will continue to be a workhorse for us and keep us in every game his starts. Head Coach Matt Ellinghuysen CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, ST. PAUL We are looking forward to building off our strong 2024 season in which we finished 4th in the NSIC conference tournament. We return several key starters from our 2024 team which led the NSIC in batting average. In addition, we return our top 4 starters on the mound. We will have some new faces in our lineup that will replace some key losses, but we are looking forward to competing in the challenging NSIC. Head Coach Neil Lerner Bennett was new to our team in 2024 and made an immediate impact both on the field and as one of our team leaders. Bennett's 2024 offensive seasons was one of the best ever in CSP Baseball History. Bennett led our team in batting average - and finished second in the NSIC. Additionally he led both our team and the NSIC conference in on-base percentage. Bennett was voted the NSIC newcomer of the year, 1st team All-NSIC and second-team All-Region. In addition, he was chosen as a member of the D2 Baseball All-America Team. Bennett always seems to have quality at-bats and does everything he can to help our team win baseball games. Head Coach Neil Lerner As a true freshman Ian was an immediate mainstay as a starter in our weekend pitching rotation. Ian has a bulldog mentality - he always wants the ball and he gives us a great chance to win every time he takes the ball for us. Ian made several quality starts for us in 2024 en route to leading our team in wins. As Ian continues to develop and mature we look for him to take a big step up in 2025. Head Coach Neil Lerner UNIVERSITY OF MARY We have a really great group of young men who have elevated the standard of our program. We are excited about some talented returners and a really good group of newcomers. Looking forward to this group growing and competing at a high level. Head Coach Tanner Spencer Kalem had a breakout year last year. He has a really dynamic skillset at the top of our lineup. He has proven that he can really defend at this level. A consistent and reliable member of our program, we look for Kalem to take a step forward and become a premier player in the NSIC. Head Coach Tanner Spencer Ryan is the leader of our pitching staff. Ultra-prepared, works extremely hard and sets the tone for the rest of our staff. He's a guy that we expect to be successful and lead a really exciting pitching staff. Head Coach Tanner Spencer UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA CROOKSTON We are excited about this year's team. We lost some key players, but we feel we have guys ready to step in and contribute. I like our overall talent and depth. Our kids have been extremely motivated to develop as players and work together for a common goal. We are hoping our work ethic, passion, and desire will allow us to play at an extremely high level. Head Coach Steve Gust Sawyer has been a staple for us in the infield and a great infielder the past two years. He's worked hard at developing his overall game and is only going to get better. What makes him special is his work ethic, desire to be the best, and passion for Minnesota Crookston baseball. Head Coach Steve Gust Josh has been a big part of our success for the past two years. He is just tapping his potential as a pitcher. He worked hard in the off-season developing his pitches, refining his mechanics, and becoming more explosive. He had a great fall on the mound, and we are hoping he carries it over to the spring. Head Coach Steve Gust UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA DULUTH We need to be more consistent and thrive on being challenged which this team has embraced. There is a good mixture of experienced and new players who are focused on leading the team's improvement so we are excited get the season going. It is a fun group to be around. Head Coach Bob Rients Gabe has proven to be highly motivated to achieve success both in the classroom and on the field during his first 2 years as a Bulldog. He has been our most consistent hitter in the middle of the line up and we are excited for him continue his development and help elevate this year's team. Head Coach Bob Rients Henry really settled in the back third of last year as a starting pitcher. He possesses a consistent demeanor and competitive mentality and is invested in his development for the benefit of the team. We are excited to watch his impact grow as a leader. Head Coach Bob Rients MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY, MANKATO This year’s team has a distinct combination of experience and leadership. Offensively we have a mix of athletic players who can get on base and score in numerous ways. Defensively the team has versatility with many individuals who can play multiple positions at a high level. On the mound we anticipate having the talent, depth, and versatility to navigate the challenging schedule. Head Coach Matt Magers Aidan is a decorated veteran who brings a stabilizing force to the team on and off the field. He is consistently seeking ways to enhance his skills, has proven to be adaptable, and understands how to motivate his teammates during demanding situations. Head Coach Matt Magers Having overcome a significant injury last year Nathan has emerged stronger and more resilient than before. He has invested his time off the field improving on his mechanics and pitching style while motivating others through his work ethic and dedication. Head Coach Matt Magers MINOT STATE UNIVERSITY I am very excited to see our team compete this season. We have a great mix of returners, new guys, young guys and veterans. Our group has come together and created a great work ethic and comradery amongst our team. I am excited to see all their hard work be put on display this season. Head Coach Sam Boisner Brent is a leader on our team. He has made a significant impact on our team in the last three seasons, he leads by example with a great work ethic, hustle and passion for getting better. Brent is a member of SAAC and is an academic all-conference member. He has a drive to be great in the classroom and on the field. Brent has been a great example for young players in our program watch and learn from. Head Coach Sam Boisner Colton is a senior that has been a great contributor on the mound and in the field for our baseball program. He will take on a big role on our pitching staff this season. Colton has brought an attitude to our team that he is willing to do anything for our team and baseball program. Colton has improved every season he has been in our program on the field and in the classroom. I am excited to see Colton's growth be put on display in 2025. Head Coach Sam Boisner NORTHERN STATE UNIVERSITY There is a lot to be excited about with this year's team. We return a lot of our offense from last year and we feel we have added some pop to the line-up. We have a veteran group who has seen what the NSIC is all about and they are looking forward to the challenges we will see. We have a younger group on the mound, so we are excited to see these newcomers compete. We are excited and looking forward to getting back on the field. This group makes it fun to come to work every day. Go Wolves! Head Coach Dean Berry Brennan made an impact on our program the minute he showed up on campus. His work ethic and drive to compete sets him apart from others. Because of that Brennan has succeeded at every level he has competed at. His approach to playing baseball makes everyone around him better. It is always a plus when your best players are your hardest workers and he is just that. Head Coach Dean Berry Drew has been a workhorse for our program this last year. He was counted on to start games but also has the ability to close. He has the competitive mentality to be in the tough situations. He has worked very hard since he has been here, and we are very excited to see what he can do in year two for us. Drew understands how important it is to be a great teammate and he also has a way of bringing out the best in the people around him. Head Coach Dean Berry UNIVERSITY OF SIOUX FALLS I'm really excited about this year's team. We gained a lot of experience on the mound last year with a very young pitching staff. We also return a majority of our lineup and added some quality transfers to help add some depth. I really like the make-up of this ballclub, and I am looking forward to seeing if we can move up the standings this spring in a very competitive league. Head Coach Grant Hieb Ben is a leader on our team and a 3-time captain. He's been one of the best defensive first baseman in the league for the last few years and will make the transition to the 3rd base this spring. He's been a staple in the middle of our lineup since his freshman year and I expect him to have a big senior year. Head Coach Grant Hieb Brady has worked hard to be one of our top pitchers coming into this season. He has a great arm and gained valuable experience starting as a freshman. He showed improved command of all his pitches this offseason and I'm expecting it to translate into him having a big year. Head Coach Grant Hieb SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA STATE UNIVERSITY The Mustangs return quite a few arms on the mound, with 9 being senior pitchers, and we have a good group of guys who have been competing on the field and in the weight room and in our individual sessions. We are excited to see these guys go out and compete and play at a high level. We believe we have a gritty and tough group and everyone in the program will have to contribute, from seniors to freshman. We have a good mix of skill sets that have been assembled here and the guys are tight knit! Head Coach Jeremy Ische Owen is a talented young man who has the ability to impact the game several ways with his bat, his foot speed and on the mound with his arsenal. He has played big roles his entire career at SMSU and has handled himself very well academically in our Exercise Science Program. He leads by example and is not afraid to do the work and help his team win! Head Coach Jeremy Ische Cameron is a strike thrower who has great feel for the game and being a firefighter out of the bullpen. He has handled himself very well in tight spots and has strikeout stuff on a consistent basis. He has only gotten better here in his time and we look forward to Cameron helping the Mustangs win! Head Coach Jeremy Ische ST. CLOUD STATE UNIVERSITY It’s going to be an interesting spring with many new players after losing 16 seniors and some of our top players again to the portal. We basically lost our entire pitching staff and seven position starters, but we really like the combination of last year’s reserves, red shirts and our recruiting class. It’s been a fun group of players to coach since August and they compete hard. And that’s all you really want and can ask. Head Coach Pat Dolan Ethan is a two-year captain and epitomizes what we look for in a Husky baseball student-athlete. He is very solid both offensively and defensively. Head Coach Pat Dolan Cael was voted captain for this year and is a true competitor on the mound. He is a strike thrower who filled many different roles last year, but we’re expecting him to be one of our top starters this spring. Head Coach Pat Dolan WAYNE STATE COLLEGE We have a team of guys that love playing the game. They are willing to come to work every day to master their skill set to better this team. We have plenty of experience back with new talent that are pushing guys every day. Head Coach Alex Koch Quinn is a natural leader that has worked extremely hard over the years to better his skill set. You won't find a harder worker with the baseball IQ that he has. Head Coach Alex Koch Jackson brings a lot of experience to the mound for us. He has continually gotten better and is ready to lead the team on the mound this year. Last year he fought through some injury issues and we are looking forward to a healthier senior year for him. Jackson is a mentally and physically strong kid that should anchor the front end of series for us. Head Coach Alex Koch WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY We have a great balance of experience and new players that provide depth at all positions and on the mound. We return our entire starting lineup from last year’s team and have a blend of transfers, redshirt freshmen, and true freshmen that will add competitiveness and excitement to our lineup. We graduated a lot of starting innings pitched from last year’s team, but we are returning a talented group that have waiting to get more innings. As we gain experience, it should be a deep pitching staff. Being in year three as a coaching staff, we should start to take shape in what type of program that we will be moving forward. Head Coach Seth Wing Cole plays the game with great passion and has as high of baseball IQ that I have ever coached. A true middle of the order hitter that makes all the players around him better and excited to see what he can do for us in his senior season! Head Coach Seth Wing Pierce is an extremely talented and cerebral pitcher that is a true ace of our pitching staff. He is a highly dedicated student athlete and carries one of the highest GPA’s on the team. We love handing the ball to Pierce and are excited to see what he can accomplish during his junior year! Head Coach Seth Wing #NSICBase