CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the American Rivers Conference Baseball Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2024 American Rivers Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2023 Record |
| 1. |
Buena Vista (8) |
64 |
31-11 overall, 203 A-R-C (Conference Champions) |
| 2. |
Luther |
49 |
25-18 overall, 17-7 A-R-C |
| 3. |
Coe |
47 |
23-17 overall, 14-10 A-R-C |
| 4. |
Dubuque (1) |
45 |
29-14 overall, 13-10 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Loras |
43 |
29-17 overall, 15-9 A-R-C (Tournament Champions) |
| 6. |
Wartburg |
30 |
14-21 overall, 9-15 A-R-C |
| T-7. |
Central |
16 |
15-24 overall, 8-16 A-R-C |
| T-7. |
Simpson |
16 |
16-24 overall, 6-18 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
14 |
14-26 overall, 5-19 A-R-C |
The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) coaches have selected the 2023 regular season champion, Buena Vista University, to repeat in 2024. The Beavers earned 64 points in the poll, recording eight first-place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team). Luther College garnered 49 points to take the number two spot in this year's poll followed by Coe College in the third position with 47 points. The University of Dubuque was picked fourth with 45 total points and one first-place vote. Capsules on all nine teams can be found below.
D3baseball.com Rankings: After a 31-11 record in 2023, the Buena Vista Beavers find themselves receiving votes by D3baseball.com in the preseason rankings heading into the 2024 season.
New Coaches:
- Adam Carey, Central College - Carey was named the head baseball coach in June of 2023 after spending eight of the previous nine seasons as a player or assistant coach for the Dutch. During his one year not at Central, Carey was the head assistant coach at Black Hawk College in Illinois. During his playing career at Central, he earned three varsity letters and served as team captain in 2019. Carey was a pitcher.
- Dan Spain, University of Dubuque - Spain was announced as the 18th coach in program history following the 2023 baseball season. Prior to coming to Dubuque, he was just down the road at Clarke University where he had served as the head coach since 2012. Spain turned the Clarke program into one of the winningest programs in the Midwest and one of the top NAIA programs. Spain competed collegiately at Marshalltown Community College, Iowa Wesleyan, and finished up at Clarke.
- Casey Klunder, Wartburg College - Klunder is not a new face to the A-R-C as he spent the last two seasons guiding the Central Dutch. While at Central, Klunder had four A-R-C All-Conference performers, including three first-team honorees. Before Central, he was the head baseball coach for Waverly-Shell Rock from 2006-2021. He led teams to eight conference titles and 44 of his players went on to play collegiate baseball. Klunder is a graduate of Waldorf College and Upper Iowa.
The Schedule: The 2024 season officially kicks off in the American Rivers Conference this weekend as three A-R-C teams begin their campaigns. On Friday, February 16, the Spartans of the University of Dubuque will travel to Batesville, Arkansas to face Lyon (Ark.) in a single game followed by a doubleheader on Saturday. On Saturday, February 17, the Buena Vista University Beavers are making their way to Topeka, Kansas to face-off with Hamline in a doubleheader. Nebraska Wesleyan kicks off their season with a single game against Westminster (Mo.) on the 17th followed up with doubleheader action on Sunday 18th in Fulton, Missouri.
Five more A-R-C members will begin their 2024 campaign the weekend of February 23-25. Loras begins with Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois. Simpson takes the field against Calvin and Wisconsin Lutheran in Jacksonville, Illinois while Central is in O'Fallon, Illinois to face Greenville in a doubleheader. The Coe College Kohawks begin their season in St. Louis, Missouri when they travel to face WashU in a single game on Saturday and doubleheader on Sunday. Wartburg kicks off their season in sunny Aburndale, Florida when they open with Grove City.
Luther College is the final team to begin play in the A-R-C. They take the field against Hamline University in a doubleheader on March 2 in Leavenworth, Kansas.
A-R-C play begins Friday, March 22 with eight of the schools playing. Buena Vista will host Simpson College, Dubuque will travel to Decorah to square off with Luther, Coe will host Wartburg in Cedar Rapids, and the Nebraska Wesleyan Prairie Wolves will make their way to Dubuque to take on the Duhawks.
The Dutch of Central will begin conference play Friday, March 29 when they travel to Lincoln, Nebraska to take on Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Conference Tournament: The 2024 American Rivers Conference Baseball Tournament will be held May 9-11 on Rise 2 Greatness 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 2024 NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament.
The Loras College Duhawks earned the A-R-C automatic bid for the 2023 season and the Buena Vista University Beavers earned an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament.
| 1st |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Steve Eddie (24th season, 522-383-2 overall record)
2023 Conference Finish: 1st
2023 Record: 31-11 overall, 20-3 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2023/5
2023 NCAA Tournament:
- Lost to Bethel, 9-6 (Regional)
- Defeated Bethany Lutheran, 12-2 (Regional)
- Lost to Bethel, 8-6 (Regional
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 8/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 9/4
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 17/8
All-Conference Returning: Morgan Smith (Jr., SP), Evan Taylor (Jr., C), Zach Beekmann (Fifth Yr., 1B), Jordan Matthewson (Gr., 2B), Joel Garcia (Jr., SS), Calvin Harris (Fifth Yr., OF/P), Drew Taylor (Jr., OF/IF), Mason Gehling (Fifth Yr., SP), Logan Lape-Brinkman (So., RP), Tegan Bock (Jr., OF)
All-Conference Lost: Caden Matthewson (DH), Logan Mueller (3B)
Steve Eddie - "We enter the 2024 season motivated by some missed opportunities in the 2023 postseason. This group is very experienced, but we will need to bring along some newcomers to rebuild depth in a few areas. There will be a lot of competition at the top of the A-R-C this year with so many returning players throughout the league." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Mark Eddie (So., RHP) |
Missed 2023 season with an injury |
| Brayden Polzien (Sr., RHP) |
15 appearances // 1-1 record // 5.96 ERA // 23 K |
| 2nd |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Bryan Nikkel (10th season, 214-148 overall record)
2023 Conference Finish: 2nd
2023 Record: 25-18 overall, 17-7 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2021/9
2023 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 2/2
All-Conference Returning: Peyton Lindmark (Sr., 2B), Josh Matanich (Sr., 1B), Cullen Stamp (Sr., CF), Harrison Blum (Sr., P)
All-Conference Lost: Nick Dufoe (RHP)
Bryan Nikkel - "The A-R-C is always grueling to get through. I expect this year to be no different with numerous teams returning a core of very good players. No easy days, that is for sure! We are excited about the depth we have on the offensive side of the ball. We return some key pieces to our pitching staff but will need some middle aged guys to step up for us to have a chance at repeating anything similar to last year. We will look to a tough non-conference schedule to help prepare us for A-R-C play." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Gavin Scurr (So., C) |
N/A |
| Harrison Blum (Sr., RHP) |
13 appearances // 5-3 record // 2.12 ERA // 69 K |
| Ryan Manternach (Sr., RHP) |
13 appearances // 5-3 record // 4.48 ERA // 47 K |
| Josh Matanich (Sr., 1B) |
42 games started // .321 BA // 51 hits // 34 RBI // .503 SLG% // .387 OB% |
| 3rd |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Steve Cook (28th season, 601-496-1 overall record)
2023 Conference Finish: 4th
2023 Record: 23-17 overall, 14-10 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2022/6
2023 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/1
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 8/1
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 18/5
All-Conference Returning: Jake Brosius (Jr., OF), Matt Chapman (So., P), Mitch Eckardt (Sr., 2B), Kaden Haller (So., SS), Jack Allison (Sr., 3B), Creighton Kreshel (Sr., OF), Ethan O'Donnell (Jr., P)
All-Conference Lost: Tyler Elliott (OF)
Steve Cook - "We're looking forward to getting the season started with a couple of tough weekend trips and an even tougher spring break schedule. The conference will be loaded throughout, making the road to qualify for the conference tournament as difficult as ever. Should be a lot of great matchups every time out." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Jake Brosius (Jr., OF) |
40 games started // .359 BA // 60 hits // 38 RBI // .533 SLG% // .404 OB% // 5 HR |
| Matt Chapman (So., P) |
12 appearances // 6-2 record // 3.16 ERA // 46 K |
| Mitch Eckardt (Sr., 2B) |
39 games started // .372 BA // 55 hits // 26 RBI // .520 SLG% // .460 OB% |
| Jack Allison (Sr., 3B/P) |
27 games started // .365 BA // 35 hits // 20 RBI // .479 SLG% // .451 OB%
8 appearances // 1-0 record // 2.53 ERA // 7 K |
| Ethan O'Donnell (Jr., P) |
11 appearances // 5-2 record // 3.27 ERA // 28 K |
| 4th |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Dan Spain (1st season)
2023 Conference Finish: 5th
2023 Record: 29-14 overall, 13-10 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2018/1
2023 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 4/4
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 12/2
All-Conference Returning: Colin Husko (So., SS), Jake Cekander (Sr., OF/LHP), Aiden Sullivan (Sr., RHP)
All-Conference Lost: Edward Rosas (RHP), Cole DeStefanis (IF), Derek Hardin (RHP)
Dan Spain - "Our returners have provided me with confidence and trust needed to lead this team. We were able to get the pieces we needed to check all the boxes necessary to be competitive. The players have developed a strong chemistry that we will need to continue to hold through challenges throughout the season." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Colin Husko (So., SS) |
40 games started // .417 BA // 53 runs // 22 RBI // .545 SLG% // .547 OB% |
| Jake Cekander (Sr., OF) |
30 games started // .355 BA // 23 runs // 23 RBI // .455 SLG% // .493 OB% |
| Aiden Elfering (So., RHP) |
12 appearances // 12-9 record // 3.31 ERA // 41 K |
| Kyle Radi (Sr., C) |
33 games started // .313 BA // 40 hits // 30 RBI // .453 SLG% // .412 OB% |
| Luke Burgos (So., OF) |
2 games played // .667 BA // 2 hits // 1 RBI |
| Daniel Maller (So., OF) |
29 games played // .294 BA // 20 hits // 10 RBI // .456 SLG% // .473 OB% |
| Aiden Sullivan (Sr., RHP) |
12 appearances // 6-4 record // 3.59 ERA // 57 K |
| 5th |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Carl Tebon (29th season, 562-518-4 overall record)
2023 Conference Finish: 3rd
2023 Record: 29-17 overall, 15-9 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2023/1
2023 NCAA Tournament:
- Lost to Webster University, 15-0 (Regional)
- Lost to Augustana, 5-4 (Regional)
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 4/4
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 7/5
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 19/11
All-Conference Returning: Max McCallum (Jr., OF), Daniel Rogers (Sr., UTL), Nick DiBenedetto (Sr., OF), Cody Sunny (So., IF)
All-Conference Lost: Dakota Church (C), Ethan Peters (P), Tyler Pransky (SS)
Carl Tebon - "Many new coaches in the conference that bring a fresh look to a lot of teams. The conference will be strong as ever top to bottom! Many challenges with a lot of returners throughout the conference this year. We return some good players that will have to lead a young group of players." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Daniel Rogers (Sr., UTL) |
46 games started // .388 BA // 48 runs // 40 RBI // .697 SLG% // .505 OB% // 10 HR |
| Nick DiBenedetto (Sr., OF) |
46 games started // .316 BA // 35 runs // 43 RBI // .531 SLG% // .371 OB% // 7 HR |
| Max McCallum (Jr., OF) |
45 games started // .359 BA // 52 runs // 32 RBI // .542 SLG% // .412 OB% // 6 HR |
| Cody Sunny (So., IF) |
32 games started // .373 BA // 44 hits // 14 RBI // .407 SLG% // .425 OB% |
| 6th |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Casey Klunder (1st season)
2023 Conference Finish: 6th
2023 Record: 14-21 overall, 9-15 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2017/14
2023 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 7/2
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 7/2
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 17/4
All-Conference Returning: Keaton Gray (Sr., IF), Cael Boehmer (Sr., P), Eliot Jurgensen (Jr., OF), Zach Walton (Sr., IF)
All-Conference Lost: None
Casey Klunder - "The A-R-C will be even tougher this year with a majority of the all-conference players returning. Dubuque and Central both making excellent head coaching hires will only make the conference more competitive both in the short and long term." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Carter Stubitz (Sr., C) |
27 games started // .272 BA // 25 hits // 18 RBI // .337 SLG% // .361 OB% |
| Sam Nicolino (Sr., OF) |
34 games started // .242 BA // 30 hits // 17 RBI // .315 SLG% // .353 OB% |
| Caleb Andrews (Sr., IF) |
35 games started // .265 BA // 32 runs // 25 RBI // .346 SLG% // .370 OB% |
| Nicholas Nin (So., P) |
9 appearances // 1-6 record // 5.40 ERA // 39 K |
| Joey Ciero (Sr., P) |
10 appearances // 1-4 record // 8.17 ERA // 37 K |
| T-7th |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Adam Carey (1st season)
2023 Conference Finish: 7th
2023 Record: 15-24 overall, 8-16 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A
2023 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 5/4
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 4/6
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 11/11
All-Conference Returning: Colton DeRocher (Sr., OF), Declan O'Hare (Fifth Yr., RHP/UTL), Logan McCoy (Sr., MIF/OF)
All-Conference Lost: None
Adam Carey - "We are excited to kick off the journey of the 2024 season. Our young team looks forward to competing with some great programs in a league full of veteran players and head coaches." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Declan O'Hare (Fifth Yr., RHP/IF) |
39 games started // .282 BA // 44 hits // 34 RBI // .449 SLG% // .337 OB% // 6 HR
10 appearances // 4-3 record // 4.23 ERA // 49 K |
| Colton DeRocher (Sr., OF) |
38 games started // .380 BA // 34 runs // 38 RBI // .660 SLG% // .432 OB% // 8 HR |
| Logan McCoy (Sr., MIF/OF) |
36 games started // .338 BA // 42 runs // 27 RBI // .459 SLG% // .457 OB% |
| Dominic DeLaPaz (Jr., C) |
N/A |
| T-7th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Nathan Roling (8th season, 84-151 overall record)
2023 Conference Finish: 8th
2023 Record: 16-24 overall, 6-18 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): 2004/6
2023 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 4/5
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 6/3
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 15/9
All-Conference Returning: Trey Castile (Sr., P), Mitchell Roeder (So., P)
All-Conference Lost: Brady Held (Sr., P/OF)
Nathan Roling - "I am excited to compete this season with the group we have in our clubhouse. They are highly motivated and eager for the opportunities that the grueling A-R-C season presents. The strength of this team should be on the mound again this year and we're looking forward to that group taking another big step forward. We'll have experience in what looks to be our rotation with a number of talented younger pitchers competing for significant innings. Our offense is on the younger side, but filled with a good mix of athleticism and skill. We are excited to see how this group continues to grow and compete at a high level." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Trey Castile (Sr., P) |
11 appearances // 1-2 record // 2.61 ERA // 69 K |
| Mitchell Roeder (So., P) |
13 appearances // 2-4 record // 4.66 ERA // 48 K |
| Easton Dunwoody (So., P) |
12 appearances // 1-6 record // 6.33 ERA // 46 K |
| Ian Baldwin (So., OF) |
39 games started // .259 BA // 23 runs // 19 RBI // .359 SLG% // .288 OB% |
| Will Carlock (Jr., C) |
31 games started // .263 BA // 30 hits // 16 RBI // .333 SLG% // .315 OB% |
| 9th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Eric Ignatowski (2nd season, 14-26 overall record)
2023 Conference Finish: 9th
2023 Record: 14-26 overall, 5-19 A-R-C
NCAA Tournament (Last Appearance/Total Appearances): N/A
2023 NCAA Tournament: N/A
Position Starters Returning/Lost: 14/5
Pitchers Returning/Lost: 5/3
Letter Winners Returning/Lost: 19/8
All-Conference Returning: Tyson Romero (Jr., P)
All-Conference Lost: None
Eric Ignatowski - "Excited to add a new group of transfers and freshman alongside some very talented young returners. There will be a lot of new faces both on the mound and in the lineup in black and gold and they are ready to take on the challenge of a very competitive A-R-C." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2023 Statistics |
| Tyson Romero (Jr., P) |
10 appearances // 4-4 record // 2.14 ERA // 65 K |
| Max Brammier (Jr., P) |
19 appearances // 2-2 record // 8.50 ERA // 32 K |
| Jason English (Sr., OF) |
35 games started // .276 ERA // 29 hits // 20 RBI // .486 SLG% // .412 OB% // 5 HR |
| Duncan Ortega (So., IF) |
6 games started // .296 BA // 8 hits // 6 RBI // .667 SLG% // .345 OB% // 3 HR |
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About the American Rivers Conference
The Conference dates back to December 8, 1922, when representatives from 12 colleges got together and formed the "Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association." Honoring its heritage in Iowa and its expansion outside the state, the American Rivers Conference brand was established on August 9, 2018, to build on the academic and athletic success provided by its legacy, the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The A-R-C has nine full-time members: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Luther College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
