FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has announced the results of its Baseball Preseason Poll. Trine University is picked seventh in the poll, totaling 12 points. Defending MIAA Champions, Adrian College is picked first with 48 points and six first place votes.
 
Kalamazoo College is picked second with 43 points, Alma College, Calvin University, and Hope College round out the top five. Albion College is picked sixth and The University of Olivet is selected eighth.
 
Trine returns a young core in the field. First Team All-MIAA selection Cole Schmidthuber returns to centerfield after earning the program's first first-team selection since 2018. The senior recorded 81 putouts and 2 assists in 83 chances last year, recording no errors. At the plate, he hit .362 and drove in eight runs.
 
Nathan Gilmet and Cole Temple bring power to the Thunder batting order. The duo combined for 13 homers last season and Temple legged out a pair of triples. Gilmet led the team in on base plus slugging at .919 and Temple led with 29 RBIs.
 
Luke Burford led the team in hits (35) and doubles (9) from his shortstop position, he helped turn seven double plays in the field.
 
William Taczak returns to second base, the freshman impressed at the plate and in the field last year. Taczak recorded just one error in 108 chances but more than made up for it with 1 double plays. He finished the season hitting 15-of-29 (.517) over the final eight games.
 
Senior Will Gimbel is joined by Owen Mitchell and Evan Shoppell as the Thunder's returning starters on the mound. Gimbel made eight appearances last season with a 2-2 record and 4.10 ERA.
 
Trine opens its season on February 21^st with a trip to #17 Centre (Ky.) for a three game series.