NSAA Releases Preseason Coaches Poll

BISMARK, N.D. – The North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) released their 2023 Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll and Viterbo University has been picked to finish seventh with 16 points. Bellevue University (Neb.) was unanimously picked to win the league for the eighth year in a row. BU is ranked No. 5 in the NAIA Baseball Coaches' Preseason Top 25 national poll.

Viterbo looks to improve on a 16-36 (5-20 NSAA) campaign in 2022 that ended on Day Four (2-2 record) of the NSAA Conference Tournament. This was Viterbo's best performance ever at the NSAA Conference Tournament, and their most wins at a Conference Tournament since winning the Midwest Collegiate Conference (MCC) in 2014. The V-Hawks return Second-Team All-Conference infielder Kendal Hofer, and All-Conference Honorable Mentions Blake Warner and Brandon Jaenke.

Dakota State (S.D.) finished second in the preseason poll with 55 points, and Dickinson State (N.D.) was third in the preseason poll with 47 points. Waldorf (Iowa) placed fourth in the preseason poll with 36 points, followed by Mayville State (N.D.) fifth with 32 points. Valley City State (N.D.) was sixth after recording 30 points, while Presentation (S.D.) finished eighth with eight points.

Points are awarded on an 8-1 basis and coaches can vote for their own team.

The North Star Athletic Association baseball conference season officially kicks off on the weekend of March 17-19. Each school is slated to play a total of 28 North Star conference baseball games. All eight teams will compete in the North Star Baseball Conference Postseason Tournament, which is scheduled for May 5-8 in Dickinson, N.D.

There is an automatic bid from the North Star Athletic Association for the NAIA Baseball National Tournament Opening Round, which is held on May 15-18. The postseason tournament winner will earn a trip to the national tournament's opening round. The Avista-NAIA Baseball World Series is slated to be played in Lewiston, Idaho from May 26-June 2.

Viterbo's season kicks off on Friday, February 17 as they take ion Evangel University (Mo.) in Joplin Mo.