Marian University baseball finished with 240 points and a first-place tally to finish the NACC preseason poll in third, as voted on by the head coaches and sports information professionals of the conference.

A tight race at the top saw Benedictine edge Aurora for the top spot by just one point at 321-320.  The Spartans did receive 14 first-place to only 10 for the Eagles.  Marian followed with 240 just ahead of Illinois Tech at 232 with the Sabres receiving a first-place vote.  MSOE and Edgewood each finished close together as well with the Raiders earning 226 points and the Eagles 222 along with the final first-place tally.  Concordia Wisconsin rounded out the schools with more than 200 points at 214.

Concordia Chicago was the final school predicted to earn a postseason bid to the conference tournament with its 166 points followed by Rockford at 143.  Dominican and St. Norbert were then separated by just two points at 103-101.  Wisconsin Lutheran with 42 and Lakeland at 36 closed out the poll.

The full release and poll from the NACC can be found at https://naccsports.org/sports/baseball

The top eight teams will earn a spot into the NACC Tournament with the winner of the conference tournament earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III National Tournament.

Marian opens the season against Monmouth and Lawrence Saturday, February 22 in Kokomo, Ind.