Parker Smejkal garnered All-Summit First Team honors last season.
Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Omaha Voted Second In Summit League Preseason Poll
Feb 6, 2020 | Baseball
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Summit League announced its preseason baseball poll Thursday, Feb. 6 with the Mavericks selected second.
The poll is voted upon by the league's respective head coaches.
Oral Roberts was selected in the top spot with 23 total votes and three first-place votes. The Mavericks, who aim to defend their Summit League Championship crown, were voted second with 19 total votes and one first-place vote. South Dakota State tallied 18 votes and two first-place votes, followed by North Dakota State (16), Western Illinois (9) and Purdue Fort Wayne (5).
Junior pitcher Joey Machado and senior Parker Smejkal were selected to The Summit League Players to Watch List. Last season, Machado finished with a 6-3 record with a 4.65 ERA as a starting pitcher. He recorded 64 strikeouts through 69.2 innings. Smejkal earned All-Summit First Team honors a year ago after a campaign where he batted .329 with 54 hits, 43 RBI and seven home runs.
The Mavericks begin their regular season with a three-game series against Northwestern Feb. 14-16. The games will take place in Glendale, Ariz. For more information, visit OMavs.com.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL (FIRST PLACE VOTES)
1. Oral Roberts - 23 (3)
2. Omaha - 19 (1)
3. South Dakota State - 18 (2)
4. North Dakota State - 16
5. Western Illinois - 9
6. Purdue Fort Wayne - 5
SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYERS TO WATCH
North Dakota State
Bennett Hostetler, SS
Max Loven, P
Omaha
Parker Smejkal, 1B/OF
Joey Machado, P
Oral Roberts
Adam Oviedo, SS
Kaleb McCullough, P
Purdue Fort Wayne
Garrett Mohler, 3B
Cameron Boyd, P
South Dakota State
Bret Barnett, P
Gus Steiger, SS
Western Illlinois
Javin Drake, P
Drue Galassi, OF
The poll is voted upon by the league's respective head coaches.
Oral Roberts was selected in the top spot with 23 total votes and three first-place votes. The Mavericks, who aim to defend their Summit League Championship crown, were voted second with 19 total votes and one first-place vote. South Dakota State tallied 18 votes and two first-place votes, followed by North Dakota State (16), Western Illinois (9) and Purdue Fort Wayne (5).
Junior pitcher Joey Machado and senior Parker Smejkal were selected to The Summit League Players to Watch List. Last season, Machado finished with a 6-3 record with a 4.65 ERA as a starting pitcher. He recorded 64 strikeouts through 69.2 innings. Smejkal earned All-Summit First Team honors a year ago after a campaign where he batted .329 with 54 hits, 43 RBI and seven home runs.
The Mavericks begin their regular season with a three-game series against Northwestern Feb. 14-16. The games will take place in Glendale, Ariz. For more information, visit OMavs.com.
SUMMIT LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL (FIRST PLACE VOTES)
1. Oral Roberts - 23 (3)
2. Omaha - 19 (1)
3. South Dakota State - 18 (2)
4. North Dakota State - 16
5. Western Illinois - 9
6. Purdue Fort Wayne - 5
SUMMIT LEAGUE PLAYERS TO WATCH
North Dakota State
Bennett Hostetler, SS
Max Loven, P
Omaha
Parker Smejkal, 1B/OF
Joey Machado, P
Oral Roberts
Adam Oviedo, SS
Kaleb McCullough, P
Purdue Fort Wayne
Garrett Mohler, 3B
Cameron Boyd, P
South Dakota State
Bret Barnett, P
Gus Steiger, SS
Western Illlinois
Javin Drake, P
Drue Galassi, OF
Players Mentioned
RHP
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OF
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