SEWARD, Neb. – Back-to-back seasons of school record win totals has raised expectations for the Concordia University baseball program. The Bulldogs collected 62 points and checked in at No. 3 in the GPAC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released by the conference on Wednesday (Jan. 18).
Last season the Concordia baseball program tied for fourth in the conference standings with an 11-9 GPAC mark. It was the program’s highest ever finish during the GPAC era (2000-present). With a 28-27 record, the Bulldogs eclipsed the school single-season wins record that had also been broken the previous year. The 2016 squad was just one win away from reaching the conference tournament championship game.
Third-year head coach Ryan Dupic’s squad returns plenty of firepower from a lineup that set a new school single-season record for runs scored. First team all-conference mashers Kaleb Geiger and Christian Montero are back to form the nucleus of a potent middle of the order. Also returning are Gold Glove outfielder Jake Adams, third baseman Casey Berg, catcher Ryan Fesmire and shortstop Logan Ryan and pitchers such as lefties Taylor Bickel and Josh Prater and right-hander Neil Ryan.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to open up the new season with a doubleheader at Bethany College (Kan.) on Feb. 25.
2017 GPAC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Morningside – 77 (6)
2. Midland – 76 (4)
3. Concordia – 62
4. Northwestern – 55
5. Briar Cliff – 42
6. Doane – 36
7. Mount Marty – 34
8. Hastings – 30
9. Dakota Wesleyan – 25
10. Dordt – 13