Southern Illinoise University Athletics
SIU picked eighth in MVC Preseason Poll
01/28/2015 | 12:00:00 | Baseball
By Rico Cruz
SIUSalukis.com
ST. LOUIS - The Southern Illinois University baseball team was picked to finish eighth in the Missouri Valley Conference Preseason Poll, the conference announced on Wednesday. The poll is determined by a vote from each coach in the conference.
"I expected it based on the quality of our players that we lost and how few players we have returning," head coach Ken Henderson said. "We have 26 freshmen and sophomores. I don't think that opposing coaches know anything about our club because we have a ton of question marks and new kids. I certainly don't expect to finish eighth."
The Salukis finished eighth last season with a 26-31 record. The 2015 roster features 15 newcomers and only seven upperclassmen. With one of the youngest teams in the MVC, SIU will rely on their youth to lead them into the season.
SIU begins the 2015 season on Feb. 13, with a three-game series against the defending Big 12 Champions, TCU. The home opener at Itchy Jones Stadium is set for Feb. 27 against Western Kentucky.
MVC Preseason Poll
| Rank | School (1st) | Votes |
| 1. | Dallas Baptist (7) | 63 |
| 2. | Missouri State (1) | 53 |
| 3. | Wichita State | 43 |
| 4. | Indiana State | 42 |
| 5. | Evansville | 28 |
| 6. | Illinois State | 26 |
| 7. | Bradley | 18 |
| 8. | Southern Illinois | 15 |
Preseason All-MVC Team
| Player | School | Pos. | Yr. |
| Paul DeJong | Illinois State | 2B | Jr. |
| Spencer Gaa | Bradley | 3B | So. |
| Tyler Leffler | Bradley | SS | Jr. |
| Daniel Salters | Dallas Baptist | C | Jr. |
| Dylan Becker | Missouri State | UT | Sr. |
| Justin Wall | Dallas Baptist | DH | Jr. |
| Kevin Kaczmarksi | Evansville | OF | Sr. |
| Daniel Kihle | Wichita State | OF | Jr. |
| David Martinelli | Dallas Baptist | OF | So. |
| Tate Matheny | Missouri State | OF | Jr. |
| Jon Harris | Missouri State | SP | Jr. |
| Sam Tewes | Wichita State | SP | So. |
| Ryan Keaffaber | Indiana State | RP | So. |
| Brandon Koch | Dallas Baptist | RP | Jr. |
