On Wednesday afternoon the Summit League announced the preseason baseball poll and it found North Dakota State finishing in second place.
Oral Roberts was voted to win the conference with 42 points and six first place votes. The Bison won the programs first Summit League regular season title last season. NDSU was tabbed with 36 preseason points and one first place vote. Omaha rounded out the top three with 30 points.
Peter Brookshaw and Cade Feeney were the two Bison named to the Summit League Players to Watch List.
Brookshaw, a senior shortstop, started 46 games last season for the Bison. He also led NDSU with 46 RBI and 36 runs scored. Additionally, Brookshaw was second on the team, with 52 hits, 13 stolen bases, and eight home runs.
Feeney is a junior starting pitcher for NDSU. Last season he made 14 starts while tossing a team-high 62 strikeouts in 79 ⅓ innings pitched. Feeney had a 7-3 overall record to lead the Bison pitching staff.
North Dakota State will begin the 2023 campaign with a four-game series at Sacramento State beginning on Friday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.
2023 Summit League Baseball Preseason Poll
Place Team Points (1st) 2022 Record
1. Oral Roberts 42 (6) 38-20 (17-7)
2. North Dakota State 36 (1) 31-19 (17-5)
3. Omaha 30 26-31 (12-12)
4. South Dakota State 24 22-23 (13-9)
5. St. Thomas 17 16-29 (10-14)
6. Northern Colorado 12 12-39 (8-16)
7. Western Illinois 7 8-44 (5-19)
2023 Summit League Players and Pitchers to Watch
Players
Peter Brookshaw | North Dakota State | Sr. | SS
Jake King | Northern Colorado | So. | OF
Mike Boeve | Omaha | Jr. | 3B
Mac McCroskey | Oral Roberts | RSr. | 2B
Dylan O’Connell | St. Thomas | Fr. | IF/OF
Luke Ira | South Dakota State | Sr. | SS
Nick Mitchell | Western Illinois | So. | OF
Pitchers
Cade Feeney | North Dakota State | Jr. | RHP
Trey Cruz | Northern Colorado | Gr. | LHP
Caleb Riedel | Omaha | Jr. | LHP
Cade Denton | Oral Roberts | Jr. | RHP
Nolan Kemp | St. Thomas | Fr. | RHP
Ryan Bourassa | South Dakota State | Sr. | RHP
Mitchel Sampson | Western Illinois | Jr. | RHP