CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the American Rivers Conference's Baseball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2022 American Rivers Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2021 Record |
| 1. |
Coe College (4) |
59 |
36-7 Overall, 28-4 A-R-C (Regular Season Champions) |
| 2. |
Luther College (4) |
58 |
32-16 Overall, 23-9 A-R-C (Tournament Champions) |
| 3. |
Loras College |
48 |
25-18 Overall, 17-15 A-R-C |
| 4. |
Buena Vista University (1) |
43 |
21-23 Overall, 15-17 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Simpson College |
34 |
18-23 Overall, 14-18 A-R-C |
| 6. |
University of Dubuque |
29 |
18-24 Overall, 15-17 A-R-C |
| 7. |
Wartburg College |
28 |
14-28 Overall, 12-20 A-R-C |
| 8. |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
17 |
12-28 Overall, 10-22 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Central College |
8 |
14-27 Overall, 10-22 A-R-C |
The American Rivers Conference coaches have picked 2021 regular season champion, Coe College, to repeat in 2022. The Kohawks earned 59 points in the poll, recording four first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team). Luther College, who claimed the 2021 A-R-C tournament title and finished second in regular season play, garnered 58 points and four first-place votes to take the number two spot in this year's poll. Capsules on all nine teams can be found below.
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA)/D3baseball.com Rankings: After a 36-7 record in 2021, the Coe College Kohawks find themselves receiving votes by D3baseball.com in the preseason rankings heading into the 2022 season.
New Coaches: Casey Klunder (Central) - Klunder is coming off Waverly-Shell Rock's fourth state tournament berth of his tenure in 2021. He piloted the Go-Hawks to the 2015 Iowa Class 3A state title and compiled a 386-185 career record. He was tabbed as the 2015 Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association State Coach of the Year while receiving State Sports Spotlight Coach of the Year honors in 2014 and 2015. Klunder's squads captured eight Northeast Iowa Conference titles and were in the IHSBCA rankings 14 consecutive seasons. He was an IHSBCA all-star coach in 2010 and 2016. He's coaches 44 players who competed collegiately, including several in the American Rivers Conference. Klunder also gained collegiate experience as a volunteer assistant coach at Luther College from 2012-14 and at Wartburg College in 2021 as well as 2007-08. He earned his bachelor's degree at Waldorf College while serving as a baseball team captain.
The Schedule: The 2022 season officially kicks off in the American Rivers Conference this weekend as two A-R-C teams begin their campaigns. On Saturday, February 19, the Beavers of Buena Vista University will travel to Topeka, Kansas to face Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) foe, Hamline University in a double-header. Nebraska Wesleyan heads to Conway, Arkansas to battle Hendrix College, league member of Southern Athletic Association (SAA), in a doubleheader.
The Duhawks of Loras College travel to Jacksonville, Illinois to face-off with Illinois College, a member of the Midwest Conference and Augustana (Ill.), a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) on Saturday, February 26.
The Luther College Norse are set to open their season Saturday, February 26 when they travel to Topeka, Kansas and face Midwest Conference foe, Cornell College.
Wartburg College begins their 2022 campaign Sunday, February 27 down in Orlando, Florida against Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in a doubleheader. MSOE is a member of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). The University of Dubuque Spartans also get their season started Sunday, February 27 down in Auburndale, Florida facing Waynesburg out of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC).
Coe College opens their season Saturday, March 5 down in Decatur, Illinois against Wisconsin-Oshkosh out of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and Millikin University out of the CCIW. The Storm of Simpson College takes the field Saturday, March 5 in Topeka, Kansas with a doubleheader against CCIW foe, Carthage College.
Central College takes the field for the first time in 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they square off against Wisconsin-Superior in a double-header at U.S. Bank Stadium.
A-R-C play begins Friday, March 25 with eight of the schools playing. Simpson College will travel to Dubuque to square off with the Spartans of the University of Dubuque, Central College will host Buena Vista University, the Duhawks of Loras will travel to Decorah to face Luther College, and Wartburg College will host the Kohawks of Coe College.
The Prairie Wolves of Nebraska Wesleyan are set to host their first A-R-C series on Tuesday, March 29 against Simpson College.
Conference Tournament: The 2022 American Rivers Conference tournament will be held May 12-14 on Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The winner of the double-elimination tournament will receive the Conference's automatic berth to the 2022 NCAA Division III Baseball tournament.
NCAA Division III College World Series: The American Rivers Conference and Cedar Rapids Tourism, hosts of the 2019 and 2021 NCAA Division III College World Series, will serve as hosts again in 2022 and 2023, with the championship being played at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The 2022 Championships will take place Friday, June 3 - Wednesday - June 8. Check back to rollrivers.com at the end of March for the tournament page and ticket information.
|
|
No.1 Coe College
Head Coach: Steve Cook - 26th season at Coe (556-458-1)
2021 Conference Finish: 1st
2021 Record: 36-7 Overall, 28-4 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2019/7
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 5-4
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 4-1
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 13/8
All-Conf. Returning: TJ Deardorff (Sr., P/IF), TJ Johnson (Sr., P/IF), Matt Mittelmark (Sr., P)
All-Conf. Lost: Isaac Evans (OF), Jordan Kaplan (IF), Riley LeGrand (OF), Jacob Henry (IF)
Steve Cook - "I think the A-R-C will be as deep as ever in talent and experience. Should make for a lot of great baseball. Tough and competitive series each week." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| TJ Deardorff (Sr., P/IF) |
32-games started // 6 2B // 3 HR // 18 RBI // .505 SLG% // 1.81 ERA // 9-0 record // 54 K // .179 BAA |
| TJ Johnson (Sr., P/IF) |
32-games started // .362 BA // 12 2B // 4 HR // 34 RBI // 2.09 ERA // 7-1 record // 2 shut outs // .226 BAA |
| Matt Mittelmark (Sr., P) |
8-games started // 4.05 ERA // 5-1 record // 46.2 IP // 27 K |
| Tyce Johnson (So., P/IF) |
8-appearances // 4.86 ERA // 37.0 IP // 33 K // .282 BAA |
| Austin Divello (So., P) |
13-appearances // 2.19 ERA // 4 saves // 24.2 IP // .247 BAA |
| Tyler Riebhoff (Sr., P) |
8-appearances // 3.63 ERA // 17.1 IP // 16 K // .277 BAA |
|
|
No. 2 Luther College
Head Coach: Bryan Nikkel - 8th season at Luther (167-110)
2021 Conference Finish: 2nd
2021 Record: 32-16 Overall, 23-9 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2021/9
2021 NCAA Tournament:
- Lost to UW-Whitewater 20-1 [Regional]
- Defeated Salem State 8-2 [Regional]
- Lost to Texas Lutheran 5-2 [Regional]
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 5/4
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 10/1
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 23/6
All-Conf. Returning: Nick Dufoe (Sr., P), Tyler Boesel (Sr., P), Charlie Rubendall (Jr., SS), Luke Plunkett (Sr., C)
All-Conf. Lost: Kelby Johnson (3B), Joe McKibben (OF), Kyle Schnobrich (OF)
Bryan Nikkel - The A-R-C has only been getting stronger every year. I expect this year to be more competitive than ever. We will need some players to really step up for us to be a team who has a chance to do something in the end. Pitching will be key as we go back to mid-week conference games. I am looking forward to the battle day in and day out." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Luke Plunkett (Sr., C) |
32-games started // .425 BA // 10 2B // 3 HR // 27 RBI // .593 SLG% |
| Nick Dufoe (Sr., P) |
8-games started // 3-0 record // 39.2 IP // 27 K // .264 BAA |
| Charlie Rubendall (Jr., SS) |
29-games started // .337 BA // 10 2B // 19 RBI // 6-7 stolen bases |
| Aiden Michna (Jr., 1B) |
4-games played // .400 BA |
| Collin Chalmers (Sr., P) |
13-appearances // 2.12 ERA // 4 saves // 17.0 IP // 21 K // .169 BAA |
|
|
No. 3 Loras College
Head Coach: Carl Tebon - 26th season at Loras (561-531-4)
2021 Conference Finish: 3rd
2021 Record: 25-18 Overall, 17-15 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 7/2
All-Conf. Returning: Luke Fennelly (Sr., SS), Ethan Peters (Jr., P), Matt Jeter (Jr., P), Dylan Pardoe (Sr., 3B), Dan Rogers (So., DH/C)
All-Conf. Lost: Bill Luzzo (RF)
Carl Tebon - "The conference will be returning a lot of great players this season. We have great leadership returning this year. We look forward to the competition on what should be some of the best baseball the A-R-C has had in a long time." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Luke Fennelly (Sr., SS) |
32-games started // .393 BA // 39 runs // 11 2B // 8 HR // 32 RBI // .726 SLG% // 11-12 stolen bases |
| Dylan Pardoe (Sr., 3B) |
32-games started // .318 BA // 22 runs // 8 2B // 3 3B // 20 RBI // 16 walks |
| Ethan Peters (Sr., P) |
14-appearances // 1.48 ERA // 24.1 IP // 40 K // .130 BAA |
| Matt Jeter (Jr., P) |
8-games started // 3.63 ERA // 4-2 record // 44.2 IP // 26 K |
| Dan Rogers (So., C) |
25-games played // .311 BA // 15 RBI // 13 walks |
| Dakota Church (Sr., UTL) |
32-games started // .303 BA // 20 runs // 8 2B // 15 RBI // 15 walks |
|
|
No. 4 Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Steve Eddie - 22th season at BVU (464-358-2)
2021 Conference Finish: 4th
2021 Record: 21-23 Overall, 15-17 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearance): 2019/4
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 8/3
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 13/7
All-Conf. Returning: Caden Mathewson (Jr., OF), Jordan Mathewson (Jr., 2B), Calvin Harris (Jr., OF/P)
All-Conf. Lost: Tyler Tennyson (P/1B), Parker Truesdell (OF)
Steve Eddie - "We are excited for the upcoming season. We return some young All-Conference players and many more that learned a lot during their first varsity season. It will be exciting to see the growth in the returners and how they lead our newcomers by example. Our group should benefit by playing a full nonconference season before turning our attention to a difficult and balanced conference schedule. It's incredible to see the type of growth that is taking place in our conference. Therefore, our team will need to make a commitment to consistency if we want to contend for one of the top spots in the league." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Dalton Glenn (Jr., P) |
9-appearances // 6.47 ERA // 32.0 IP // 33 K |
| Zack Beekmann (Jr., 1B) |
9-games played // .300 ERA // 3 2B // 7 walks |
| Mason Gehling (Jr., P) |
7-appearances // 6.61 ERA // 32.2 IP // 21 K |
| Logan Mueller (Sr., IF) |
26-games started // .282 BA // 5 2B // 12 runs |
| Brayden Polzien (So., P) |
6-appearances // 5.02 ERA // 14.1 IP |
|
|
No. 5 Simpson College
Head Coach: Nathan Roling - 6th season at Simpson (49-107)
2021 Conference Finish: 6th
2021 Record: 18-23 Overall, 14-18 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2004/6
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/3
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 7/0
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 30/9
All-Conf. Returning: Brady Held (Sr., P/OF), Colton Major (Sr., P), Kolton Arnold (Sr., 1B)
All-Conf. Lost: Josh Breitbarth (C), Noah Sacco (OF)
Nathan Roling - "This is going to be a unique season with every team in the conference bringing back a majority of their impact players, especially on the mound. That is going to bring a highly competitive conference season. I am excited to see how our team comes together in this early season leading up to conference. Our strength should lie in our starting pitching and a well-balanced lineup in the early going, as we look to grow and build throughout the season. We look to build off momentum created at the end of last season and the hard work that our players have put in since then." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Brady Held (Sr., P/OF) |
24-games played // 1 save // 4 CG // 42.0 IP // 1.29 ERA // .333 BA // 8 2B // 16 RBI |
| Colton Major (Sr., P) |
7-games started // 41.2 IP // 4.54 ERA // 1 CG // 37 K |
| Kolton Arnold (Sr., 1B) |
32-games played // .296 BA // 24 runs // 5 2B // 19 RBI |
| Trey Castile (So., P) |
8-games started // 40.0 IP // 1 CG // 35 K |
| Brett Kauzlarich (Sr., P) |
13- appearances // 3 saves // 37.2 IP // 38 K // 3.82 ERA |
|
|
No. 6 University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Paul Wyczawski - 10th season at Dubuque (153-180-1)
2021 Conference Finish: 5th
2021 Record: 18-24 Overall, 15-17 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2018/1
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/1
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 10/1
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 22/4
All-Conf. Returning: Edward Rosas (Sr., P), Aiden Sullivan (So., P), Cole DeStefanis (Jr., 2B), Jordan Goldstein (Sr. DH)
All-Conf. Lost: None
Paul Wyczawski - "With a good mix of talented veterans and newcomers we are excited about the 2022 campaign in what looks to be a competitive conference race from top to bottom." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Kellen Mitchell (Sr., 1B) |
31-games started // .277 BA // 5 2B // 5 HR // 20 RBI // 18 walks |
| Ed Rosas (Sr., P) |
8-appearances // 3.63 ERA // 4-0 record // 34.2 IP // 23 K // .283 BAA |
| Cole DeStefanis (Jr., 2B) |
30-games played // .337 BA // 21 runs // 9 2B // 17 RBI // 17 walks |
| Quincy Bryant (Sr., SS) |
24-games played // 13 runs // 8 RBI // 8-8 stolen bases |
| Derek Hardin (Sr., P) |
7-appearances // 4.32 ERA // 1 save // 16.2 IP // 13 K // .274 BAA |
| Ben Kettering (Jr., P) |
6-appearances // 2.84 ERA // 12.2 IP // 10 K // .205 BAA |
| Aiden Sullivan (So., P) |
8-appearances // 1.35 ERA // 33.1 IP // 27 K // .181 BAA |
| Max Snowden (Sr., OF) |
31-games played // .287 BA // 20 runs // 4 2B // 15 RBI // 11-12 stolen bases |
| Patrick Rafferty (So., 3B) |
31-games started // .302 BA // 17 runs // 12 RBI // 17 walks |
| Jake Cekander (Jr., OF) |
32-games played // .300 BA // 20 runs // 5 2B // 12 RBI |
| Kyle Radi (So., C) |
30-games started // .308 BA // 3 2B // 19 RBI |
| Jordan Goldstein (Sr., IF) |
18-games played // .340 BA // 4 2B |
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|
No. 7 Wartburg College
Head Coach: Joel Holst - 26th season at Wartburg (736-387-4)
2021 Conference Finish: 7th
2021 Record: 14-28 Overall, 12-20 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2017/14
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 10/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 9-0
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 17-2
All-Conf. Returning: Dylan Gotto (5th year, P), Max Goodhue (Sr., OF), Ben Dekruyf (Sr., OF/P), Zach Walton (So., 1B)
All-Conf. Lost: None
Joel Holst - "We played a lot of young players last year and went through some top line pitching injuries which created an inconsistent season for us in 2021. We are looking forward to using the experience gained toward a successful 2022 season. The conference race will be a battle with many teams returning experienced rosters." |
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Darren Kilpatrick (5th year, P) |
8-games started // 45.0 IP // 37 K |
| Aaron Eybers (Sr., P) |
17-appearances // 3.86 ERA // 2 saves // 1 shut out // 35.0 IP // .313 BAA |
| Joey Ciero (Jr., P) |
9-appearances // 4.98 ERA // 2 CG // 1 shut out // 34.1 IP // 29 K // .275 BAA |
| Jacob Murray (Jr., P) |
8-games started // 32.1 IP // 29 K // .269 BAA |
| Cael Boehmer (Jr., DH/P) |
20-games played // 10.1 IP // .313 BA // 8 RBI |
| Will Armstrong (So., P/IF) |
19-games played // 42.1 IP // 3-2 record // 13 AB |
| Carter Stubitz (So., C) |
30-games played // 11 runs // 7 RBI |
| Keaton Gray (So., 3B) |
30-games played // .258 BA // 16 runs // 3 2B // 10 RBI |
| Bryce Butler (Sr., 2B) |
30-games played // 13 runs // 5 2B // 10 RBI |
| Zach Wesolowski (So., OF) |
8-games played // 9 AB |
| Caleb Andrews (So., IF) |
6-games played // .294 BA // 17 AB // 2 RBI |
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|
No. 8 Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: John Rypel - 3rd season at NWU (18-34-1)
2021 Conference Finish: T-8th
2021 Record: 12-28 Overall, 10-22 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 9/0
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 8/5
All-Conf. Returning: Derek Kolbush (Sr., 1B/OF), Riley Ward (Sr., INF/P), Kaleb Knox (Sr., INF)
All-Conf. Lost: None
John Rypel- "Extremely excited to take another step this year in re-shaping this program. Offensively, I expect us to be one of the top line-ups in the A-R-C with the guy’s we have returning and some of the new pieces sprinkled in. I am extremely excited to see the development of our pitching staff with the newcomers and the strides several of the returners have made. This is a tough league and this will be a very talented spring in the A-R-C with several rosters featuring All-Region type players. I think we are poised to have a great spring. I expect us to be right in the mix all year and have a chance to win every series.”
|
| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Derek Kolbush (Sr., OF) |
32-games started // .330 BA // 28 runs // 10 2B // 9 HR // 34 RBI // .652 SLG% |
| Kaleb Knox (Sr., INF) |
31-games started // .287 BA // 7 2B // 5 HR // 22 RBI // .509 SLG% |
| Riley Ward (Sr., INF/P) |
26-games started // .366 BA // 23 runs // 9 2B // 13 RBI // 4-5 stolen bases |
| John Haimowitz (Jr., C) |
32-games started // .274 BA // 16 runs // 4 2B // 20 RBI |
| Noah Unger (Jr., OF/P) |
27-games played // 37.0 IP // 27 K // .255 BA // 4 2B |
| Will Schneidewind (Jr., C/OF) |
31-games started // .245 BA // 6 2B // 10 RBI |
| Paul Georget (Sr., INF) |
26-games played // .261 BA // 12 runs // 11 RBI |
| Mason Bennett (Sr., OF) |
31-games started // .300 BA // 20 runs // 4 2B // 16 RBI |
| Brady Harrison (Sr., P) |
10-appearances // 2.50 ERA // 18.0 IP // 18 K // .220 BAA |
| Aiden Bennett (Sr., P) |
9- appearances // 9.2 IP |
| Noah Wing (Jr., P/C) |
19-games started // .298 BA // 5 2B // 11 RBI |
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No. 9 Central College
Head Coach: Casey Klunder - 1st season at Central (0-0)
2021 Conference Finish: T-8th
2021 Record: 14-27 Overall, 10-22 Conference
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A
2021 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 6/3
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 4/3
Letter winners Returning/Lost: 11/10
All-Conf. Returning: Marcus Wenzel (5th year, P)
All-Conf. Lost: None
Casey Klunder - "From afar, I’ve been really impressed with the American Rivers Conference. So many veteran coaches that have developed their programs for 20, 25, some almost 30 years. Because of that, to me, the league has never been deeper, which will make it difficult for our young team to gain traction. Our three new coaches really appreciate how our players have responded to the changes in our baseball program. Our hope is that if we lay a solid foundation, over time, we can make headway to trek up the standings.”
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| 2021 Statistics (Conference Only) |
| Players to Watch: (Returning Players Only) |
| Quinn Miller (Sr., 3B) |
30-games played // .255 BA // 2 3B // 7 RBI |
| Jared Kampf (Sr., UTL) |
31-games started // .229 BA // 11 RBI // 10-12 stolen bases |
| Lucas Farren (5th year, UTL) |
32-games started // .284 BA // 6 2B // 13 RBI // 16 walks |
| Landon Vander Leest (Sr., P/UTL) |
9-appearances // 28.2 IP // 4.08 ERA // .295 BAA |
| Tanner Bigelow (So., INF) |
24-games played // .290 BA // 3 2B // 12 RBI |
| Tyler Sass (So., OF) |
28-games started // .214 BA // 17 runs // 8-8 stolen bases |
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