SLIAC Baseball Poll Tabs Eureka Fifth in West Division

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – A preseason poll conducted by St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference baseball head coaches has tabbed Eureka College fifth in the league's West Division, according to an announcement from the league office last week. Defending regular-season league champion Webster was picked as the top team in the West and Greenville was voted first in the East Division.

Webster, the winner of 10 consecutive regular-season SLIAC titles, earned nine first-place votes for the top spot in the poll, followed by Westminster, Fontbonne, Iowa Wesleyan and Eureka. The Red Devils received 13 points in West Division poll.

In the East Division, Greenville secured five first-place votes, followed by MacMurray with two first-place votes and Spalding with the remaining three first-place votes. Blackburn was fourth and Principia was fifth.

The Red Devils return 18 letterwinners for fourth-year head coach Kim "Hoss" Johnson, including top 2016 hitter Ray Vogel (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone H.S.). Sophomore right-hander Jake Miller (Washington, Ill./Washington H.S.) returns to anchor the EC pitching staff. Nearly two dozen newcomers will join the program for 2017.

Eureka is scheduled to begin the 2017 season on Sunday, March 5 in a noon doubleheader at NCAA Division III independent Rust in Holly Springs, Miss. The 2017 home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, March 22, a 2 p.m. SLIAC twin bill against Blackburn at Henry Sand Field.