Ashley Dickerson
GoSycamores.Com
ST. LOUIS – The Indiana State baseball team has been picked to finish fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference, receiving 28 points, and senior utility player Andy Young was named to the preseason All-MVC team, the conference announced Wednesday (Feb. 3).
“This is a strong league, and we'll have to take care of business on the field,” head coach Mitch Hannahs said after learning of the team's fifth place selection.
Missouri State was picked to win the conference tallying 60 points, while Dallas Baptist was a close second earning 56 points.
Looking Ahead
The Sycamores began practice last Friday afternoon as the team was able to step outside to begin preparation for a tough spring schedule. This year, the Sycamores have slated games with multiple 2015 NCAA Division I Regional and Super Regional teams on top of their tough Missouri Valley Conference schedule.
The Sycamores welcome back four position starters and seven pitchers from the 2015 season, and will be led offensively by preseason All-MVC selection senior Andy Young (.296, 60 hits, 31 runs, 7 home runs, 42 RBI, honorable mention All-MVC honors in 2015), senior Andy DeJesus (.277, 46 hits, 24 runs, 14 RBI) and senior Kaden Moore (.272, 41 hits, 20 runs, 22 RBI).
Other notable offensive returners include sophomore Tyler Friis (.264, 37 hits, 23 runs, 21 RBI) and junior Hunter Owen (.344, 33 hits, 15 runs, 12 RBI). The Sycamore pitching staff welcomes back junior left-hander Ryan Keaffaber (1-5, 2.37 ERA, 53 K) to the starting rotation and junior reliever Austin Conway (4-2, 2.26 ERA, 52 K, 8 saves).
This year's team looks to provide depth and defense as the program's staple. Coach Hannahs and his staff believe that the key to a successful season will come from “the depth of the pitching staff, team defense, overall speed, and a very versatile offense.”
Notable Opponents for 2016 Season:
Atlantic Coast Conference
- NC State – Posted an impressive 2015 season that landed them a Fort Worth Regional appearance…Just missed the Super Regional cut by one run.
- Boston College – Hoists a strong ACC conference schedule…Returning impact players.
Big 12 Conference
- Oklahoma State – Picked to win the Big 12 Championship…2015 Regional appearance.
Big Ten Conference
- Illinois – Made 2015 Super Regional appearance as the overall six seed in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.
- Iowa – Made 2015 Regional appearance…41 total 2015 wins…Number two seed in 2015 Big Ten Tournament.
- Indiana – Made 2015 Regional appearance in Nashville as the third-seeded team.
- Nebraska – Tough Big Ten Conference schedule.
- Purdue – Tough Big Ten Conference schedule.
Missouri Valley Conference
- Missouri State – 2015 Super Regional appearance…2015 Missouri Valley Champions.
- Dallas Baptist – 2015 Regional appearance.
- Bradley – 2015 Regional appearance.
The Sycamores are set to begin their season Friday, February 19 as they travel to Little Rock, Ark. where they will begin the 2016 season with a double header against Oral Roberts at 1:00 p.m. and University of Arkansas at Little Rock at 4:00 p.m. EST. Be sure to follow Indiana State Baseball on social media, as well as via live stats.
