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NEW ULM -- The Martin Luther College baseball team was picked to finish ninth in the UMAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll released by the conference on Thursday.
The Knights received nine points in the poll, 10 below eighth-place Crown’s total of 19 points. Bethany Lutheran and St. Scholastica tied atop the poll with 60 total points and four first-place voted apiece. UW-Superior was picked third in the poll with 48 total points and one first-place vote.
MLC finished 2018 with a 4-23 overall and record and a 1-15 conference mark in a weather-shortened season.
Senior Matt Baehman returns following a First Team All-UMAC season in 2018 as a pitcher and infielder. Baehman hit .406 during league play, and also threw four complete games on the mound.
Senior Dillon Solomon and junior Caleb Christopher each earned Honorable Mention All-UMAC honors in 2018 and return in the outfield. Christopher has been a key cog in the middle of the MLC line-up each of his first two seasons, while Solomon will also play a key role on the mound in his final season.
The Knights return 188 of a possible 205.1 innings pitched last season. Baehman and Solomon will look to lead the way, while returners Adam Kock, Joey Behm, Andrew Mantz, Tyler Roecker and Nate Goelzer will also get significant opportunity.
MLC will open its season when it faces WPI on its annual trip to Auburndale, Fla., on March 8.