UIC Tabbed 2020 #HLBASE Preseason Poll Favorite
INDIANAPOLIS - 2019 Horizon League Baseball Champions, UIC, have topped the 2020 #HLBASE Preseason Poll as announced on Wednesday. The Flames received three first-place votes from the League’s six head coaches, earning 33 points.
UIC earned its second #HLBASE title last season after playing to Game 8 of the championship. The Flames went on the NCAA Regional in Louisville as a No. 4 seed. The Flames return 2019 #HLBASE All-Tournament Team member Ryan Lin-Peistrup and Pitcher of the Year, Jacob Key. Key led Horizon League with 105.2 innings pitched as well as ranking third in conference with a career-high 90 strikeouts.
Wright State finished second in the poll with the other three first-place votes and finishing just one point behind the Flames with 32 points. The Raiders earned the regular season title for the third time in four seasons. Last season’s Freshman of the Year, Tyler Black, was the fifth Raider to earn the title in the last six seasons. The Canada native hit .353 in his first year with WSU, the fourth best in the League.
Milwaukee finished third in the poll with 24 points. The Panthers return 2019 #HLBASE All-Tournament Team members Joe Vyskocil and Mike Edwards. Vyskocil finished 2019 tied for fourth in the League in doubles, and the tenth best batting average (.330). Edwards finished last season with the fourth best earned run average with 3.93 and tied for eighth in the Horizon League with his victory total.
Northern Kentucky earned 16 points to finish fourth in the preseason poll. Youngstown State finished two points behind the Norse, earning 14 points. Oakland rounded out the poll with seven points.
The regular season begins on Friday, February 14 and the 2020 Horizon League Championship will take place May 20-23 at the home field of the highest seed that meets facility requirements.
2020 Horizon League Baseball Preseason Poll
Pl. Team - Points (First-Place Votes)
1. UIC – 33 (3)
2. Wright State – 32 (3)
3. Milwaukee – 24
4. Northern Kentucky – 16
5. Youngstown State – 14
6. Oakland – 7