EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The Missouri Valley Conference has released it's baseball preseason poll, and the University of Evansville has some work to do convincing the doubters, as the Aces are picked to finish in eighth place this season. Perennial powers Missouri State and Dallas Baptist are picked to finish first and second, respectively, with the Bears getting five of the possible eight first place votes. The Patriots picked up a pair of first place votes, while Indiana State, picked to finish third, received the remaining top nod.

2019 Preseason Poll
RANK TEAM (1ST-PLACE VOTES) POINTS
1. Missouri State (5).................................59
2. DBU (2)..................................................58
3. Indiana State (1)...................................49
4. Bradley..................................................39
5. Southern Illinois.................................... 31
6. Illinois State..........................................28
7. Valparaiso.............................................13
8. Evansville..............................................11

2019 MISSOURI VALLEY CONFERENCE BASEBALL PREVIEW

Head Coach Wes Carroll comes into his eleventh season at the helm with a squad that features experience, promise and youth. The Aces return their top two hitters from last season, with outfielders Troy Beilsmith and Kenton Crews back for their junior campaigns. Beilsmith led UE in batting average (.335), hits (60), doubles (18, home runs (7), runs  (42), while Crews finished first in RBIs (29) and second in the batting average (.310). Sophomore sluggers Tanner Craig and Evan Aders are back after promising rookie seasons.

Evansville also returns a strong pitching staff, with right hander junior Adam Lukas poised to lead the starting rotation, after making the move from the bullpen to starter across last season. Senior righty Justin Hayden will be making a comeback from a 2018 lost to rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery. The bullpen is loaded with experienced talent, led by senior RHP Austin Allinger and junior southpaw Nathan Croner. Senior lefty Alex Weigand will also lend his experienced arm to the mix.

The Aces had an impressive recruiting the season, adding a quality quintet of young arms to their pitching staff, as well several solid bats to their lineup, giving Carroll plenty of options in the field and plenty of depth on the bench.

"We are ready to get our 2019 campaign underway", said coach Carroll. "We have had a great fall and winter leading up to preseason. The seniors have done an outstanding job creating a competitive culture. Many our guys are primed for big seasons and I'm excited to get started."

UE opened spring practices last Friday and begins the 2019 campaign Friday February 15 on the road in Macon, Georgia for a three game series against Mercer University. 
 

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