SEWARD, Neb. – Champions of the GPAC regular season in 2017 and 2019, the Concordia University baseball team will begin 2020 as the league favorite. The Bulldogs picked up as many first-place votes as allowed (10) in the GPAC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll released on Tuesday (Jan. 7) by the conference. Head coach Ryan Dupic’s squad garnered 100 points in the conference poll.
The NAIA actually unveiled conference and national preseason rankings back at the beginning of November. Concordia was listed among “others receiving votes” in the national poll. Lofty expectations will follow the Bulldogs into 2020 after they went 23-5 in conference play last spring. For the second time in three seasons, Concordia qualified for the opening round of the national tournament. Christian Meza earned GPAC Player of the Year accolades while four Bulldog pitchers were named first team all-conference.
Two-time GPAC Coach of the Year Ryan Dupic figures to have another strong pitching staff. First team all-conference hurlers Jake Fosgett and Jason Munsch are back in the mix while 2018 GPAC Pitcher of the Year Nick Little has returned to Concordia. Seniors in outfielder Wade Council and infielder Thomas Sautel will be counted upon to provide leadership in production as veteran players.
The 2020 season is slated to begin with a doubleheader at McPherson College (Kan.) on Feb. 8. For a breakdown of the schedule, click HERE.
GPAC Baseball Preseason Poll
*First-place votes in parentheses
1. Concordia – 100 (10)
2. Jamestown – 89 (1)
3. Midland – 67
4. Northwestern – 66
5. Morningside – 65
6. Mount Marty – 58
7. Dakota Wesleyan – 55
8. Doane – 46
9. Briar Cliff – 27
10. Hastings – 22
11. Dordt – 10