The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Baseball Picked to Finish Fifth in Preseason Poll
February 19 | Baseball
The University of Akron baseball team was picked to finish fifth
in the MAC East Division in a vote of conference coaches released
by the league office Thursday. Defending MAC Regular Season
Champion Kent State and Western Michigan were the top selections in
the East and West Divisions respectively.
The Zips, who finished the 2008 campaign by posting the first
winning record in 11 years with a 25-24 overall mark, get underway
this Friday against Marshall University at the Wake Forest
Invitational. Akron returns 23 letterwinners including six starting
position players, led by a unit of seven seniors in 2009.
A trio of returnees will look to make an impact this weekend.
Senior righthander Frank Turocy paced the UA pitching staff with a
6-3 record and 4.62 ERA. Junior shortstop Kevin
Haas finished 2008 with a team-high .347 clip and amassed a
team-high 74 hits earning the Joe Thomas Award while senior second
baseman Phil Bednar paced this year's returnees with 39
RBI and knocked 11 doubles (t-3rd).
In the East, Ohio University trailed the Golden Flashes in second
while Bowling Green and Miami were selected third and fourth. The
Akron Zips were selected fifth while Buffalo rounded out the East
in sixth.
In the West Division, Ball State was selected to finish the season
second behind Western Michigan. Central Michigan, Northern
Illinois, Eastern Michigan and Toledo rounded out the picks in the
West.
The Mid-American Conference returns to action tomorrow as all 12
teams are slated to play games over the weekend. Conference play
will begin on Friday, March 20 and will conclude with the MAC
Tournament scheduled for May 20-24.
East Division
1. Kent State
2. Ohio
3. Bowling Green
4. Miami
5. Akron
6. Buffalo
West Division
1. Western Michigan
2. Ball State
3. Central Michigan
4. Northern Illinois
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Toledo
Tournament Champion:
Kent State (9), Western Michigan (1), Central Michigan (1), Miami
(1)
