KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The 2019 MIAA Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll was released on Thursday morning, with Missouri Western picked fourth.
 

2019 MIAA PRESEASON BASEBALL POLL
1. Central Missouri (6) - 115 points
2. Central Oklahoma (3) - 107 points
3. Pittsburg State (2) - 102 points
4. Missouri Western - 81 points
5. Emporia State - 80 points
6. Missouri Southern (1) - 67 points
T-7. Lindenwood - 60 points
T-7. Northwest Missouri - 60 points
9. Northeastern State - 38 points
10. Washburn - 34 points
11. Southwest Baptist - 26 points
12. Fort Hays State - 23 points
 

The Griffons will aim to improve off of a 29-24 finish in 2018. Last year was Missouri Western's eighth-straight season above .500. Leading Missouri Western Baseball in his 20^th season in 2019 is head coach Buzz Verduzco. Through his first 19 seasons leading the program, the Griffons have finished .500 or better in all but three seasons.
 
The Griffons bring back a load of experience in the field, returning eights players that started over 30 games last season. Headlining Missouri Western's returners is the infield duo of Dusty Stroup and Casey Danley. Following an All-MIAA selection as a junior, Stroup was named to the 2019 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Preseason All-Region Second Team. Stroup started all 53 games at shortstop for the Griffons and led the team with 68 hits and 44 RBI. Danley was the Griffons' top hitter last season with a team-high .327 batting average. He also led the team with 11 home runs.
 
Second baseman Brooks Day returns for his senior season in 2019. Day received both a Gold Glove Award and All-MIAA Honorable Mention as a junior. Day was one of the team's most consistent hitters, finishing with a .301 batting average and a team-high 14 doubles.
 
Returning to the mound for Missouri Western after an impressive 9-2 junior season is Jacob Miller. Miller was the team's number one starter, finishing with 14 starts. He was named Third Team All-MIAA and ended the season with a 3.65 ERA.
 
Another probable starter for the Griffons is right-hander Carson Dwyre. Dwyre started five games last season and held a 2.40 ERA before suffering a season-ending injury.
 
Relief pitcher Kellan Richards is another key returner for the Missouri Western pitching staff. Richards returns for his senior season after being named All-MIAA Honorable Mention last year. Richards appeared in 35 games last season, holding opposing batters to a .264 average.
 
Missouri Western Baseball will this weekend with a three-game series at Oklahoma Baptist, with the 2019 season opener on Friday, Feb. 1.