Eagles Baseball Picked to Finish Fifth in AMC Preseason Poll

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (1/30/25) – The Williams Baptist University baseball team was selected to finish fifth in the American Midwest Conference Preseason Coaches poll, released by the league on Thursday afternoon.

The Eagles received 58 points in the poll to finish fifth.  William Woods received 62 to finish fourth, Central Baptist gained 74, Columbia gained 82, and Missouri Baptist was chosen to win the league with 90 votes.

Williams won 30 games in a season for the first time since 2001 last year.  The Eagles finished in fifth place with a 9-12 conference record and fell one win short of the AMC Tournament championship game.

WBU returns seven AMC All-Conference players in 2B Gavin Mink, RHP Parker Jeffires, RHP Brevin Carlisle, SS Jacob Watkins, OF Tyrell Burnett, OF/RHP Skylar Morrison, and C Nicholas Jones.

RHP Nash Koczka, RHP Coleton Payton, RHP Jackson Finder, 3B Connor Brinkley, and IF/RHP Mari Thomas look to make immediate impacts as newcomers to the squad.

FULL AMC BASEBALL PRESEASON POLL

1 Missouri Baptist - 90 (7)
2 Columbia - 82 (1)
3 Central Baptist - 74
4 William Woods - 62
5 Williams Baptist - 58
6 Mission - 52
7 Hannibal-LaGrange - 39
8 UHSP - 38
9 Crowley's Ridge - 24
10 Harris-Stowe - 21

Williams is already 2-0 on the year after a season-opening doubleheader sweep of Champion Christian.  The Eagles return to the diamond on Monday, Feb. 3 in Hot Springs, Ark. for game three against Champion Christian.  First pitch is set for 4 p.m. against the Tigers.