Thunder Picked Sixth in MIAA Preseason Poll

FREELAND, Mich.-- The Trine baseball team was picked to finish sixth in the MIAA in the conference's preseason poll, released Friday.

The Thunder received votes totaling 34 points in the poll. Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Last season, Trine finished seventh in the conference with a 9-19 league mark. The team returns the majority of last season's young core of players, including an All-MIAA performer and four pitchers that started five or more games last season. The Thunder will look for continued development from that core of players to lead the team back to the upper ranks of the conference.

Headlining the returners is All-MIAA first baseman Jordan Baer (Fort Wayne, Ind./Leo), who led the team in batting average, home runs and RBIs last season. Joining him on the right side of the infield is Ethan Prebynski (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb), a veteran with 120 career starts to his credit.

The Thunder will have to replace a pair of departed starters on the left side of the infield, with both returning players and newcomers in the mix. A handful of experienced returners will compete for time in the outfield, while Kyle Auernhamer (Vassar, Mich./Vassar) returns behind the plate after handling the bulk of last season's catching duties.

Anchoring the pitching staff is senior Eddie Tomich (Carmel, Ind./Westfield), who has won three games each of the last two seasons. Sophomores Andy Farrell (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/St. Vincent St. Mary) and Vinny Slobodecki (Carol Stream, Ill/Glenbard North) also return after showing promise last spring.

Jake Weimer (Pittsboro, Ind./Brownsburg) gives the team a proven closing option in the late innings of close games.

Trine opens the season Sunday, Mar. 1 against Anna Maria at the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational in Winter Haven, Fla. For the complete schedule, CLICK HERE.

The complete results of the MIAA Preseason Poll are listed below.