Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Salukis picked second in preseason MVC poll
01/31/2017 | 1:03:00 | Baseball
Baird, Blackfan, and Whitmer all named preseason All-MVC
MVC Release
ST. LOUIS - The Southern Illinois baseball program was picked second in the preseason MVC coaches' poll. The Salukis earned three of the eight possible first-place votes and have the program's highest spot in the preseason poll since 2006. Dallas Baptist is the preseason favorite, garnering 59 points and five first-place votes.Â
Michael Baird, Logan Blackfan and Chad Whitmer were all named to the 14-man preseaon All-MVC team. Baird and Whitmer earned both starting pitcher spots, and Logan Blackfan was tabbed at first base. Baird led the MVC with a 1.76 ERA last year, the best of any returning starter in the nation this year. Blackfan led the league with 23 doubles, and Whitmer went 7-4 with a 2.77 ERA, the fifth-best in the Valley.
Connor Kopach, Greg Lambert and Ryan Netemeyer all return in 2017 after earning spots on the All-MVC team last year, in addition to Baird, Blackfan and Whitmer. Lambert led the team in hitting last year at .312, and Kopach was third at .287. Netemeyer had 12 saves last year, which ranks second in SIU single-season history.Â
The Salukis had the nation's biggest turnaround from 2015 to 2016, winning 31 games last season. This year, SIU returns all 45 weekends starts from pitchers and 88 percent of its starts from position players. Head coach Ken Henderson, pitching coach P.J. Finigan and hitting coach Ryan Strain return for a seventh season together as a staff.Â
SIU's season opens on February 17 at Stetson. Southern's home opener is Friday, March 3, vs. Western Illinois. Tickets are on sale now at 877-SALUKIS or SIUSalukis.com.Â
2017 MVC Preseason Poll
1. Dallas Baptist - 59 (5)
2. Southern Illinois - 53 (3)
3. Missouri State - 51
t4. Indiana State - 36
t4. Wichita State - 36
6. Bradley - 25
7. Evansville - 20
8. Illinois State - 8
2017 MVC Preseason All-MVC
1BÂ Logan Blackfan, Southern Illinois
2B Trey Hair, Evansville
3B Jake Burger, Missouri State
SS Camden Duzenack, Dallas Baptist
UT Luke Ritter, Wichita State
OF Spencer Gaa, Bradley
OF Jameson Hannah, Dallas Baptist
OF Austin Listi, Dallas Baptist
SP Michael Baird, Southern Illinois
SP Chad Whitmer, Southern Illinois
RP Seth Elledge, Dallas Baptist
RP Bryan Young, Missouri State
ST. LOUIS - The Southern Illinois baseball program was picked second in the preseason MVC coaches' poll. The Salukis earned three of the eight possible first-place votes and have the program's highest spot in the preseason poll since 2006. Dallas Baptist is the preseason favorite, garnering 59 points and five first-place votes.Â
Michael Baird, Logan Blackfan and Chad Whitmer were all named to the 14-man preseaon All-MVC team. Baird and Whitmer earned both starting pitcher spots, and Logan Blackfan was tabbed at first base. Baird led the MVC with a 1.76 ERA last year, the best of any returning starter in the nation this year. Blackfan led the league with 23 doubles, and Whitmer went 7-4 with a 2.77 ERA, the fifth-best in the Valley.
Connor Kopach, Greg Lambert and Ryan Netemeyer all return in 2017 after earning spots on the All-MVC team last year, in addition to Baird, Blackfan and Whitmer. Lambert led the team in hitting last year at .312, and Kopach was third at .287. Netemeyer had 12 saves last year, which ranks second in SIU single-season history.Â
The Salukis had the nation's biggest turnaround from 2015 to 2016, winning 31 games last season. This year, SIU returns all 45 weekends starts from pitchers and 88 percent of its starts from position players. Head coach Ken Henderson, pitching coach P.J. Finigan and hitting coach Ryan Strain return for a seventh season together as a staff.Â
SIU's season opens on February 17 at Stetson. Southern's home opener is Friday, March 3, vs. Western Illinois. Tickets are on sale now at 877-SALUKIS or SIUSalukis.com.Â
2017 MVC Preseason Poll
1. Dallas Baptist - 59 (5)
2. Southern Illinois - 53 (3)
3. Missouri State - 51
t4. Indiana State - 36
t4. Wichita State - 36
6. Bradley - 25
7. Evansville - 20
8. Illinois State - 8
2017 MVC Preseason All-MVC
1BÂ Logan Blackfan, Southern Illinois
2B Trey Hair, Evansville
3B Jake Burger, Missouri State
SS Camden Duzenack, Dallas Baptist
UT Luke Ritter, Wichita State
OF Spencer Gaa, Bradley
OF Jameson Hannah, Dallas Baptist
OF Austin Listi, Dallas Baptist
SP Michael Baird, Southern Illinois
SP Chad Whitmer, Southern Illinois
RP Seth Elledge, Dallas Baptist
RP Bryan Young, Missouri State
Players Mentioned
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