Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Tabbed to Win Third-Straight MAC West Title
2/15/2012 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MOUNT PLEASANT - The Central Michigan baseball program was picked to win its third-straight Mid-American Conference West Division title by the league's coaches Wednesday, the league office announced.
The Chippewas went 17-9 in the MAC a season ago to win the West Division and advanced to the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament. Kent State, the 2011 MAC Tournament Champion and East Division champion, was picked to repeat as both the East champion and Tournament champion.
Following the Maroon and Gold, Toledo was picked to finish second in the West Division while in-state foe Eastern Michigan was picked third. Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Ball State rounded out the Chippewas' side of the MAC.
The Golden Flashes received seven votes as the preseason favorite to win the 2012 MAC Tournament, which will be played at Pro-Freight Stadium in Avon, Ohio for the first time. CMU, Toledo, EMU and Miami each received one vote each to win the MAC Tourney.
CMU opens its season Friday night versus 2011 NCAA Tournament qualifier Troy and welcomes back 12 letterwinners to a team that posted an overall record of 31-27 last season. The Chippewas return just one starter from their 2011 weekend rotation in All-MAC selection Zach Cooper. Seniors Tyler Hall, Nate Theunissen and William Arnold also return for the Chippewas in the field, as does junior shortstop Jordan Dean.
2012 MAC Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll
MAC West Division
1. Central Michigan - 54 points
2. Toledo - 45 points
3. Eastern Michigan - 43 points
4. Northern Illinois - 36 points
5. Western Michigan - 21 points
6. Ball State - 11 points
MAC East Division
1. Kent State - 59 points
2. Miami - 48 points
3. Bowling Green - 36 points
4. Ohio - 34 points
5. Akron - 17 points
6. Buffalo - 16 points
MAC Tournament Champion
Kent State (7), Central Michigan (1), Toledo (1), Eastern Michigan (1), Miami (1)
*Akron coaching staff chose note to vote in the preseason poll due to being new to the league this season.
