Complete CBN Preseason Poll | 2010 EIU Preseason Info

TUCSON, Ariz. – Having won two Ohio Valley Conference titles the last two years, Eastern Illinois baseball opens the new year receiving votes in Collegiate Baseball's Fabulous 40 NCAA Division I preseason poll.

 

The Panthers are one of 59 programs nationally receiving votes, essentially ranking EIU among the Top 100 teams in the country entering the year.

 

Eastern won the 2009 OVC regular-season title and the 2008 OVC Tournament crown. During the 2009 campaign, the Panthers were nationally ranked by Collegiate Baseball the weeks of April 6 and 13. Ping!Baseball.com also tabbed the EIU as one the Top 30 programs in the country for four straight weeks, from April 27 through May 18.

 

Eastern returns seven position players that were regular starters in 2009 – Zach Borenstein, Richie Derbak, Alex Gee, Curt Restko, Jake Samuels, Ben Thoma and Gerik Wallsten. Starting pitchers Josh Mueller and Mike Recchia, who both won eight games in 2009, are also back.

 

Four of EIU's 2010 opponents were also listed among Collegiate Baseball's preseason poll, highlighted by 14th-ranked Ohio State. The Panthers take on the Buckeyes March 19 in Winter Haven, Fla. Missouri, Illinois and Southeastern Louisiana are also receiving votes.

The Panthers open their new season at Southeastern Louisiana for the third year in a row. The three-game series in Hammond, La., is set for Feb. 19-21.