2013 Summit League Preseason Coaches Poll

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FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
ELMHURST, Ill. – North Dakota State was favored to capture its first Summit League Baseball Tournament title in a preseason vote among the league’s six head coaches. The Bison received five first-place votes and a total of 25 points.

South Dakota State placed second with 17 points, followed closely by Oakland who received the final first-place vote and 16 points. The Golden Grizzlies received the final first-place vote. Western Illinois (15 points), Fort Wayne (nine points) and league newcomer Omaha (eight points) rounded out the poll.

A total of seven all-league performers from a year ago return to the field led by four Bison players. Outfielder Tim Colwell and starting pitcher John Straka earned first team honors while second baseman Wes Satzinger and relief pitcher Kyle Kingsley were named to the second team. Other second team selections returning are Fort Wayne utility man Steve Danielak, Oakland catcher Jake Morton and Western Illinois outfielder Dan Dispensa.

Regular season play begins Feb. 15 while league play starts April 5. The top four teams based on the regular season standings will compete for The Summit League Baseball Championship, hosted by Oakland University from May 23-25. The winner of the double-elimination format will claim the league’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

North Dakota State Bison (40-20, 14-10 Summit)
Letterwinners R/L: 11/9 | Newcomers: 17
Head Coach (Year): Tod Brown (6th)
Key Returnees: Tim Colwell, OF (1st Team All-Summit, .381 BA, 9 3B, 12-16 SB); Wes Satzinger (2nd Team All-Summit, .305 BA, 31 RBI, 15 2B); John Straka (1st Team All-Summit, 7-4, 2.61 ERA, 92 K); Kyle Kingsley (2nd Team All-Summit, 7-4, 2.28 ERA); David Ernst (6-0, 3.67 ERA)

South Dakota State Jackrabbits (18-33-1, 7-14 Summit)
Letterwinners R/L: 19/12 | Newcomers: 14
Head Coach (Year): Dave Schrage (2nd)
Key Returnees: Aaron Machbitz (.302 BA, 11 2B, .472 SLG%); Daniel Marra (.290 BA, 22 RBI); Stephen Bougher (6-5, 2 CG, 50 K); J.D. Moore (5 SV, 18 K)

Oakland Golden Grizzlies (25-31, 15-6 Summit)
Letterwinners R/L: 18/12 | Newcomers: 12
Head Coach (Year): John Musachio (6th)
Key Returnees: Jake Morton (2nd Team All-Summit, 35 R, 13 SB); Mike Carson (.303 BA, 14 2B, 46 RBI); Nolan Jacoby (.312 BA, 17 RBI); Russell Luxton (3.67 ERA, 10 SV); Jason Hager (5-3, 4.34 ERA, 65 K); Jake Paulson (2-0, 2.08 ERA)

Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks (17-35-1, 7-17 Summit)
Letterwinners R/L: 15/15 | Newcomers: 19
Head Coach (Year): Ryan Brownlee (1st)
Key Returnees: Dan Dispensa (2nd Team All-Summit, .344 BA, 12 2B, 37 R); Steve Kedroski (.237 BA, 7 2B, 16 RBI); Nick Smith (3-6, 4.98 ERA, 60 K, 1 CG)

Fort Wayne Mastodons (16-40, 8-16 Summit)
Letterwinners R/L: 16/6 | Newcomers: 14
Head Coach (Year): Bobby Pierce (5th)
Key Returnees: Steve Danielak (2nd Team All-Summit, .243 BA, 6-2, 6.65 ERA, 6 SV, 49 K); Clay Hathaway (.274 BA, 12 2B, 21 RBI); Charles Weaver (4-7, 4.30 ERA, 87 K, 2 CG)

Omaha Mavericks (12-36)
Letterwinners R/L: 12/17 | Newcomers: 19
Head Coach (Year): Bob Herold (14th)
Key Returnees: Alex Mortensen (.292 BA, 9 2B, 26 RBI); Caleb Palensky (.250 BA, 24 R, 9 2B); Matt Tew (1-6, 5.60 ERA, 48 K); Cole Volkers (1-2, 3.16 ERA, 1 SV, 21 K)

2013 Baseball Preseason Poll
Team Points (1st)
1. North Dakota State 25 (5)
2. South Dakota State 17
3. Oakland 16 (1)
4. Western Illinois 15
5. Fort Wayne 9
6. Omaha 8