SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Summit League announced its preseason baseball poll Thursday, Feb. 6 with the Mavericks selected second.
The poll is voted upon by the leagues respective head coaches.
Oral Roberts was selected in the top spot with 23 total votes and three first-place votes. The Mavericks, who aim to defend their Summit League Championship crown, were voted second with 19 total votes and one first-place vote. South Dakota State tallied 18 votes and two first-place votes, followed by North Dakota State (16), Western Illinois (9) and Purdue Fort Wayne (5).
Junior pitcher Joey Machado and senior Parker Smejkal were selected to The Summit League Players to Watch List. Last season, Machado finished with a 6-3 record with a 4.65 ERA as a starting pitcher. He recorded 64 strikeouts through 69.2 innings. Smejkal earned All-Summit First Team honors a year ago after a campaign where he batted .329 with 54 hits, 43 RBI and seven home runs.
The Mavericks begin their regular season with a three-game series against Northwestern Feb. 14-16. The games will take place in Glendale, Ariz.
