KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Northeastern State Baseball team is projected to finish 10th in the MIAA this season according to the preseason coaches' poll that was released Thursday. The RiverHawks gathered 27 points in the poll.

The RiverHawks are returning two of their three All-MIAA selections from last season's team, including Jaxon Phipps, who was named All-MIAA Second Team and Blake Freeman, who recorded NSU's first 60-hit season in three years. Head Coach Jake Hendrick is entering his fifth season at NSU.

Defending MIAA and Central Region champion Central Missouri was selected to repeat, getting ten first-place votes. Central Oklahoma was picked to finish second with Missouri Southern picked third. Pittsburg State and Emporia State round out the top-five.

NSU will open the season on Feb. 7 with a four-game series at Southeastern Oklahoma.
 
MIAA Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Central Missouri (10) - 120 points
2. Central Oklahoma (1) - 107 points
3. Missouri Southern (1) - 102 points
4. Pittsburg State - 91 points
5. Emporia State - 79 points
6. Rogers State - 67 points
7. Missouri Western - 61 points
8. Northwest Missouri - 51 points
9. Washburn - 50 points
10. Northeastern State - 27 points
11. Newman - 21 points
12. Fort Hays State - 16 points