Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Michael Mylott
Photo by: Abby Harris
Six Salukis Named to Watch List; Team Picked Second in Preseason Poll
01/29/2026 | 12:18:00 | Baseball
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Southern Illinois baseball had six players selected to the 2026 Missouri Valley Conference Players to Watch List, while the team was picked to finish second, the conference announced Thursday.
Murray State was picked to win the League after picking up 74 points, including seven first-place votes. Southern Illinois (61), UIC (59), Illinois State (57), and Indiana State (53) round out the top five, with the Flames and Redbirds each receiving one first-place vote.
Tim Simay and Dylan Petrey highlight the Players to Watch List for SIU. Simay was named Second-Team All-Conference in 2025 after leading the Salukis with a .351 batting average. Petrey will be the face of the bullpen after being named to the MVC Honorable-Mention Team, sporting a 4.22 ERA last season.
Kaleb Hall (OF), Meade Johnson (SP), Cecil Lofton (1B) and Gabe Petrucelli (2B) join Petrey and Simay on the Players to Watch List.
A team with several newcomers will rely on experience in 2026, having just four underclassmen on the roster.
UP NEXT
The Salukis open the 2026 season on the road with a three-game series against Oral Roberts beginning Friday, February 13.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Baseball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball, and on Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Murray State was picked to win the League after picking up 74 points, including seven first-place votes. Southern Illinois (61), UIC (59), Illinois State (57), and Indiana State (53) round out the top five, with the Flames and Redbirds each receiving one first-place vote.
Tim Simay and Dylan Petrey highlight the Players to Watch List for SIU. Simay was named Second-Team All-Conference in 2025 after leading the Salukis with a .351 batting average. Petrey will be the face of the bullpen after being named to the MVC Honorable-Mention Team, sporting a 4.22 ERA last season.
Kaleb Hall (OF), Meade Johnson (SP), Cecil Lofton (1B) and Gabe Petrucelli (2B) join Petrey and Simay on the Players to Watch List.
A team with several newcomers will rely on experience in 2026, having just four underclassmen on the roster.
UP NEXT
The Salukis open the 2026 season on the road with a three-game series against Oral Roberts beginning Friday, February 13.
FOLLOW THE SALUKIS
Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Salukis by following the team on Twitter at @SIU_Baseball, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SalukiBaseball, and on Instagram at @SIU_Baseball. Fans can also download the "Salukis" Mobile App on the App Store or Google Play Store.
Players Mentioned
INF/OF
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