You can look at the high ERA from Laurie and Safranski and Opp. Avg. being very high but you have to see that they found ways to win. Laurie was 9-1 and Safranski was 7-1. Given they did have a fairly strong offense last year they were winners which is something that will carry over to this season in my opinion.

I'll stick with my picks though....
1. BV - returning their entire offense...tough to beat
2. Coe - should be strong with Raisch and Richmond as seniors
3. Wartburg - still have Schmidt as well as a pretty strong offense with Grau
4. Luther - lost their two top pitchers, return Reynolds, Topping, Schott for offense
5. Loras - Olberding is gone so hitters need to step up
6. Central - returning Furlong and Rangel but still not a very strong team
7. Cornell - Shimanovsky is all they have coming back
8. Simpson - lost way to many starters
9. Dubuque - once again at the bottom

Pitcher of the Year- Cody Raisch, Coe
Player of the Year- Pietryzk, BV/ Richmond, Coe

Pietryzk has better hitters in front of him which will help boost his stats but if Coe can get some good hitters in the top of their lineup Richmond could have a stellar year. Both will be All-Region maybe even All-Americans

youcantseemestill   you gave a very good preview to the season! seems like you know your players. I have the same opinions as you do with Coe and BV being outfront. I think that that will be a heck of a battle this spring when the two meet at BV's place.

Coe has a solid group of returners with Richmond returning as an all-region first baseman, Cody Raisch (there is another Raisch there too) as an all-region pitcher, and Ryan Velvick as an all-region player as well. Both player of the year and pitcher of the year have graduated so we will see who steps up this spring

I myself don't see that happening any time soon haha. Sorry. Any predictions on what players will step up this year? Plenty of returning all-region players and an all-american in Pietryk from BV

Thats my predictions. Cali...all teams started official practices on Monday. Apparently it is a little early to be talking about the season but I'm always up for some discussing Poppa

Preseason Poll:
1. BV
2. Coe
3. Wartburg
4. Luther
5. Loras
6. Central
7. Cornell
8. Simpson
9. Dubuque

I was surprised also to see that Velvick and Beckman didn't make it onto the All-Conference teams. But Gross did have a pretty solid year.
Any one know when all-region teams come out?

Two big series coming up this weekend with Simpson @ Luther and BV @ Coe. Wonder if anyone can stop the Beavers....

Hey ya'll! New guy to the board! Just wanted to see what you all think about the upcoming IIAC competition. Looks like each team only lost a few key parts and they all have several returners (except UD which seemed to lose quite a bit). Who do you expect to be front runners this year and what players you expect to stand out?