Baseball ties for seventh in A-R-C preseason rankings

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- With baseball season quickly approaching, Simpson baseball lands tied for seventh in this year's American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Thursday.

Head coach Nathan Roling is back for his fourth year at the helm as seven of the team's top nine hitters return from last year's squad that went 13-23 overall and 5-9 in the league. The Storm look to improve in conference play after starting last year's slate with a series win over Buena Vista, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Truman Schmitt highlights the returners after being named ABCA/Rawlings and D3Baseball.com All-Central Region to go along with his second team placing on the all-conference squad. Brady Held looks to be a force for the Storm after a stellar freshman season on the diamond. Held was honorable mention all-conference after posting a 5-2 mark on the hill and hit .310 at the plate.

Simpson begins its season in unusual fashion with a twin bill set to start at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 in Minneapolis, Minn. The Storm take on Bethel inside U.S. Bank Stadium in two seven inning contests that run through Thursday morning. Simpson waits until March 25 to host its first contest inside McBride Field against Iowa Wesleyan.

2020 American Rivers Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Coe (37-8, 22-2 A-R-C)
2. Buena Vista (26-19, 15-9 A-R-C)
3. Luther (23-20, 15-9 A-R-C)
4. Dubuque (26-15-1, 12-11 A-R-C)
t-5. Central (24-16, 11-13 A-R-C)
t-5. Wartburg (13-26, 9-15 A-R-C)
t-7. Simpson (13-23, 5-19 A-R-C)
t-7. Loras (16-20, 10-14 A-R-C)
9. Nebraska Wesleyan (10-25, 8-15 A-R-C)