KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its 2023 Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll. Central Missouri was tabbed the league favorites for the upcoming season.
 
The Mules were unanimously selected to finish at the top of the standings for the 2023 MIAA baseball season. The defending MIAA Regular Season and Tournament Champions finished its 2022 season with an overall record of 46-9 and an impressive 30-3 record against MIAA competition. The Mules collected 121 total points in the poll and earned 11 first place votes.
 
Pittsburg State was slated second in the preseason coaches poll with 100 points. Just three points behind the Gorillas was Northeastern State in third with 97 points, and three more points behind the RiverHawks was Central Oklahoma in fourth with 94 points. Washburn, the runner-up of the 2022 MIAA Baseball Tournament, rounded out the top five with 85 points.
 
Missouri Southern was picked sixth with 77 points, Rogers State was tabbed seventh with 60 points and Northwest Missouri was selected eighth with 45 points. Only two points behind the Bearcats was Emporia State in ninth with 43 points while Newman was picked 10th with a total of 33 points.
 
Missouri Western and Fort Hays State concluded the poll in 11th and 12th, respectively.
 
Opening day for the 2023 baseball season is scheduled for Wednesday, February 1, with MIAA series beginning Friday, February 24. Below is the results of the 2023 MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll. To see a complete schedule of all MIAA baseball action, click here.
 
2023 MIAA Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Central Missouri [11] – 121 Points
2. Pittsburg State – 100 Points 
3. Northeastern State [1] – 97 Points
4. Central Oklahoma – 94 Points 
5. Washburn – 85 Points
6. Missouri Southern – 77 Points
7. Rogers State – 60 Points
8. Northwest Missouri – 45 Points
9. Emporia State – 43 Points
10. Newman – 33 Points
11. Missouri Western – 26 Points
12. Fort Hays State – 11 Points