BURNSVILLE, Minn. - The two-time defending NSIC champion Augustana baseball team found themselves atop the NSIC Preseason Coaches Poll, released by the conference office on Thursday afternoon. Right-handed pitcher Caleb Saari was selected as the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year, while Drey Dirksen was selected as the Vikings' Preseason Player to Watch. The Vikings were the unanimous pick to win the conference, earning all 13 available first-place votes and 169 total points. 

Augustana enters the 2024 season on the heels of a 2023 season that saw them reach the NCAA Division II College World Series. The Vikings won the NSIC regular season title and defeated Minnesota State in the NCAA Super Regional a season ago, going 47-21 overall and 28-7 in the NSIC in the process. Along with returning all 10 position players that started at least 30 games a year ago, the Vikings also return pitching depth with five arms that ranked in the top seven for innings pitched.

"This team has a lot of experience returning," said head coach Tim Huber. "Our guys will have very high expectations after a 2023 season that saw them accomplish back-to-back conference champs and another return trip to the World Series. Every starting position player is back and we have some nice depth of talent on the mound."

Huber enters his 16th season at the helm for Augustana and touts a record of 547-256-1. Huber is the reigning ABCA Region Coach of the Year and has led the Vikings to seven national tournament appearances, including the 2018 NCAA Division II National Championship.

Saari was selected as the NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year for 2024. The senior was named All-NSIC first team and ABCA All-Region second team last season. Saari made 14 starts in 2023, going 6-5 with a 2.98 ERA in 81 2/3 innings while striking out 87 and allowing an opponents batting average of .220 and 1.11 WHIP. He had two games with double-digit strikeouts, including a 14 strikeout performance in six innings against Emporia State. Saari also made three starts in the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by seven innings of one run ball against No. 4 Central Missouri. 

"Caleb is our most experienced pitcher and pitched in some big games for us last year on our run," said Huber. "He throws a lot of strikes, has exceptional command, and his ability to throw several quality pitches in the zone makes him a very tough match-up. Each year he has added to his arsenal and this off-season was no different."

Dirksen was named as the Vikings' NSIC Preseason Player to Watch after earning All-NSIC First Team and All-Region honors last season. Dirksen was a steady presence in the AU lineup in 2023, batting .345 while leading the team with 17 doubles, 17 home runs and a 1.093 OPS in 67 games. The Spicer, Minn., native also spent some time on the mound, striking out nine in 7 1/3 innings.

 "Drey has solidified himself as one of the best players in our conference," said Huber. "He changes the game both offensively at the plate and behind the plate with his defensive skill set. He will hit in the middle of our order and I expect Drey to have a great senior year."

Augustana opens its 50 game slate in Denver, Colo., February 23-25 for a four-game set at Regis University. The Vikings open their home schedule March 8-10, hosting Bemidji State for four games in what also serves as the NSIC opener.