Michigan Picked to Finish Second in Big Ten Preseason Poll
2/13/2019 3:00:00 PM | Baseball
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The University of Michigan baseball team has been selected second in the 2019 Big Ten Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, it was announced Wednesday (Feb. 13). Michigan, which is the only Big Ten team to appear in every national preseason top-25 ranking, was picked to finish behind Minnesota.
The Wolverines are followed by Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Nebraska and Purdue in the poll, which lists the top six vote-getters.
In addition, the Big Ten features three Players to Watch from each team. Junior Dominic Clementi, sophomore Jesse Franklin and sophomore Jordan Nwogu represent Michigan on the list.
Led by head coach Erik Bakich, the Wolverines enter the 2019 campaign ranked as high as No. 17 in the D1Baseball.com Top 25 and No. 20 by Baseball America.
With a group of 24 returners, the team will be vying for its 24th NCAA postseason appearance in program history after compiling a 33-21 record in 2018 and advancing to the program's sixth straight Big Ten Conference tournament. The campaign featured an incredible 20-game win streak and propelled the Wolverines onto the national landscape once more following a 2017 season that saw Michigan lead the nation in Major League Baseball draft selections.
The Wolverines will open the 2019 season in Port St Lucie, Florida, on Feb. 15 with a three-game series against Binghamton. Michigan's home opener is slated for March 15 against Manhattan. Fans can purchase 2019 season tickets at MGoBlue.com/tickets.
Big Ten Baseball Preseason Poll (top six teams)
1. Minnesota
2. Michigan
3. Illinois
4. Indiana
5. Ohio State
6. Nebraska (tie)
6. Purdue (tie)
