Carthage Picked to Win CCIW Baseball Title in Latest Coaches Poll

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The Carthage Red Men were picked to defend its College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) baseball title according to a poll conducted by the eight head baseball coaches Wednesday.

Carthage, currently ranked eighth in the latest American Baseball Coaches Association Division III Baseball Poll, took first with 48 points, including six of the eight first place votes. The Red Men won the conference title last season with a record of 19-2. Augustana (15-6 in 2006) finished second in the preseason poll with 44 points, including two first place votes. The Vikings are also nationally ranked in the ABCA poll as they are currently tied with Ithaca at 16th in the nation.

Illinois Wesleyan (14-7) was third in the preseason poll with 37 points, while Wheaton (8-13) was fourth with 25 points. North Park (8-13) was fifth (21 points), while North Central (7-14) was sixth (19 points). Millikin (8-13) was seventh with 18 points, while Elmhurst (5-16) was eighth with 12 points.

Voting in the preseason poll is done by the baseball coaches in the CCIW. Each coach votes for the seven other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second, etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own team.

The CCIW baseball season begins Feb. 24 as Augustana faces Franklin College on its Spring Break trip in Port Charlotte, Fla.