NCBWA RANKINGS
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Augustana dipped two spots to seventh in the latest Central Region ranking released Tuesday by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
The Vikings, who have yet to play a game this season, garnered 36 points.
St. Cloud State (6-0) earned all eight first-place votes and 80 points to retain its top position. Minnesota State is No. 2.
Last season, the Vikings went 30-24, including a 20-12 record in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. And for the first time in school history, Augustana landed a berth in the NCAA tournament. The Vikings have posted back-to-back 30 win seasons, setting a school record for victories in 2010 with 34.
Two current Vikings are listed as pro prospects by Perfect Game USA, a baseball scouting service. Junior
Ben Heairet, a left-handed pitcher, is No. 8 among the 15 players selected from the MINK (Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas) League. Junior
Kye Winter, a right-handed pitcher/outfielder, is No. 36 among 75 players chosen from the Northwoods League.
Augustana opens the 2012 season March 10 in Springfield, Mo., against Drury. The Vikings will play six games in the Metrodome March 17 through 20. The first home appearance is a NSIC doubleheader with Northern State March 24 beginning at 1 p.m. at Ronken Field.
