ESU Tabbed MIAA Baseball Preseason No. 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two-time defending MIAA Champion and 2009 NCAA Division II National Runner-up Emporia State was selected as preseason No. 1 in the 2010 MIAA Baseball Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Friday.
 
The Hornets received nine of 11 first place votes and totaled 99 points to get the nod. Emporia State won the NCAA Division II South Central Regional Championship in 2009 and advanced to the national championship game before falling just short against Lynn, 2-1. ESU was also voted preseason No. 1 in the nation by the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
 
Central Missouri collected the other two first-place votes and was voted No. 2 in the coaches poll with a total of 91 points. The Mules advanced to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional championship game last season before falling to Emporia State. Central Missouri is No. 11 in the preseason national poll.
 
Defending MIAA Tournament Champion Nebraska-Omaha comes in at No. 3 in the coaches poll with 80 points. The Mavericks made it to the South Central Regional a year ago before losing to Central Missouri in the elimination round.
 
Missouri Southern was selected No. 4 with 71 points, and Missouri Western followed in fifth place with 62 points. Fort Hays State was voted sixth with 56 points, followed by Northwest Missouri in seventh with 47 points, Washburn eighth with 40 points, Pittsburg State ninth with 30 points, Southwest Baptist 10th with 18 points and Truman 11th with 11 points.
 
2010 MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Emporia State (9) - 99 pts.
2. Central Missouri (2) - 91 pts.
3. Nebraska-Omaha - 80 pts.
4. Missouri Southern - 71 pts.
5. Missouri Western - 62 pts.
6. Fort Hays State - 56 pts.
7. Northwest Missouri - 47 pts.
8. Washburn - 40 pts.
9. Pittsburg State - 30 pts.            
10. Southwest Baptist - 18 pts.
11. Truman - 11 pts.