Baseball 1/28/2022 1:00:00 PM Chris Brannick

UCO Tabbed Fourth In MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Central Oklahoma baseball team was picked fourth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Friday.

READ THE MIAA RELEASE HERE

Central Oklahoma returns 12 from last year's squad that finished 25-21 overall and 16-14 in the MIAA. The Bronchos finished seventh in the regular season a year ago but did reach the MIAA Championship before losing there.

The Bronchos are welcoming back a dozen from the 2021 group and that includes eight pitchers. Veterans Kyler Patterson, Jacob Bailey and Beaux Bonvillain are part of that group. They've been part of a successful pitching staff that regularly is among the best in the country in strikeouts.

Garrett Takamatsu heads up the returning position players. He was an All-MIAA selection a year ago and led UCO with a .368 batting average. Shane Nixon and Zac Freeman also return after serving regular roles in the lineup last year.

Central Oklahoma is scheduled to open the 2022 season one week from today. The Bronchos are hosting the Fourth Annual Edmond First Pitch Classic at Wendell Simmons Field Feb. 4-6. UCO will play Oklahoma Baptist on Friday night in the season-opener before facing Northern State and Southwestern Oklahoma State on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

2022 MIAA Baseball Preseason Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
1. Central Missouri (10), 120 points
2. Pittsburg State (1), 103
3. Northeastern State (1), 94
4. Central Oklahoma, 92
5. Missouri Southern, 86
6. Washburn, 74
7. Emporia State, 62
8. Rogers State, 56
9. Northwest Missouri, 41
10. Fort Hays State, 30
11. Missouri Western, 18
12. Newman, 16

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Players Mentioned

#15 Kyler Patterson: P; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#33 Garrett Takamatsu: C; 6' 0"; Junior; R/R

#4 Zac Freeman: IF; 6' 0"; Junior; L/R

#35 Jacob Bailey: P; 6' 0"; Sophomore; */R

#11 Beaux Bonvillain: P; 6' 0"; Junior; */L

#7 Shane Nixon: IF; 6' 2"; Junior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#15 Kyler Patterson
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: P

#33 Garrett Takamatsu
: 6' 0"; Junior; R/R
: C

#4 Zac Freeman
: 6' 0"; Junior; L/R
: IF

#35 Jacob Bailey
: 6' 0"; Sophomore; */R
: P

#11 Beaux Bonvillain
: 6' 0"; Junior; */L
: P

#7 Shane Nixon
: 6' 2"; Junior; R/R
: IF