The University of Minnesota Crookston has been picked to finish seventh in the NSIC Preseason Baseball Coaches’ Poll.
Augustana University was selected to finish in first place in the league with 13 first-place votes. Minnesota State University-Mankato was picked in second with 181 points and two first-place votes. Jordan Barth of Augustana was named the 2021 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, while Augustana’s Max Steffens was selected as the 2021 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year.
The UMC baseball team is coming off an 8-5 mark in a shortened 2020 season. The Golden Eagles return nine players and six of their top pitchers from last season. The Golden Eagles are led in the field by Brock Reller (Jr., OF, Grand Forks, N.D.), who hit .360 last season with five home runs and 17 RBIs. Scott Finberg (Sr., 3B, Stillwater, Minn.) also returns after hitting .383 with 14 runs scored, five home runs, and 15 RBIs. Brad Morris (Jr., OF, Auckland, New Zealand) hit .382 with 13 runs scored, and eight RBIs. Jayden Grover (Sr., RHP, Cooperstown, N.D.) leads the pitching staff after setting the career strikeout mark last season. He went 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA with 26 strikeouts and seven walks. Conner Richardson (So., RHP, Grand Forks, N.D.) also returns after going 3-0 with a 2.57 ERA with seven strikeouts and five walks.
“On paper, it is probably the most talented team we’ve had in my seven years in Crookston,” said Head Coach Steve Gust. “However, most teams in our conference would probably say the same. We should have good balance up and down our lineup with a combination of power, speed, and on-base type of hitters. We also added depth and quality arms to our pitching staff. Most importantly, we just want to give our student-athletes a chance for a little bit of normalcy in what has been a very difficult year.”
The Golden Eagles begin NSIC play on March 20 and 21 at Winona State University. UMC is also finalizing four non-conference games prior to the start of the season.
