SEWARD, Neb. – Not surprisingly, Concordia University Baseball will begin the 2022 season as the favorite to win the GPAC. In the 2022 GPAC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll released on Friday (Feb. 4), the Bulldogs scooped up 10 first-place votes and garnered 100 points. The rest of the league’s top five included Doane, Mount Marty, Briar Cliff and Jamestown. Concordia is also ranked 18th in the NAIA national coaches’ poll.
During last season’s thrill ride, Head Coach Ryan Dupic’s 2021 team shared the GPAC regular season title with Doane at 21-7 in league play. Behind a school record-breaking offensive lineup, the Bulldogs went on to win 42 total games and advance to the NAIA World Series. Under Dupic, the program has appeared at the national tournament three times and has won a combined four conference championships.
Concordia expects to pile up runs again this spring while returning five All-GPAC position players in the form of second baseman Jayden Adams, catcher Ben Berg, right fielder Keaton Candor, first baseman Jesse Garcia and left fielder Joey Grabanski. The starting rotation has seen the biggest makeover with the top three starters from last season having graduated.
For a detailed season preview, click HERE. The 2022 season is slated to get underway with a four-game series at Baker University (Kan.) on Feb. 12-13.
2022 GPAC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
-First-place votes in parentheses
1. Concordia – 100 (10)
2. Doane – 91 (1)
3. Mount Marty – 76
4. Briar Cliff – 69
5. Jamestown – 67
6. Morningside – 52
7. Northwestern – 51
8. Dordt – 32
9. Midland – 31
10. Dakota Wesleyan – 20
11. Hastings – 16