SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Summit League office announced Thursday, Feb. 7, that the Omaha was picked to finish fifth in the Preseason Baseball Poll.
Defending league champion Oral Roberts earned the top spot with 25 points and five first-place votes, with South Dakota State in second at 21 points and one first-place vote. North Dakota State was third with 17 points, followed by Western Illinois (12), Omaha (9) and Purdue Fort Wayne (6).
The league also recognized junior transfer
Brett Bonar and sophomore
Joey Machado to the Preseason Players to Watch List. Bonar joins the Mavericks as a catcher from Barton County CC. In JUCO, he led his team with a .410 batting average and 69 RBI last season.
Machado, a right-handed pitcher, returns for this sophomore campaign after an impressive debut season where he led the team with four wins in his first five starts in Summit League play. The Omaha native pitched a team-high 82.2 innings as a redshirt freshman and compiled a 4.35 ERA to go with 50 strikeouts.
The Mavericks open the 2019 season with a three-game road stint at Southern California next Friday, Feb. 15 through Sunday, Feb. 17. The first pitch is slated for 8 p.m. (CST) on the opening day.
Summit League Preseason Baseball Poll
| Place |
Team |
Points (1st) |
2018 Record |
| 1. |
Oral Roberts |
25 (5) |
38-20 (24-6) |
| 2. |
South Dakota State |
21 (1) |
18-32 (14-13) |
| 3. |
North Dakota State |
17 |
26-24 (15-13) |
| 4. |
Western Illinois |
12 |
17-31 (14-12) |
| 5. |
Omaha |
9 |
15-35 (10-17) |
| 6. |
Purdue Fort Wayne |
6 |
11-37 (7-23) |
