ST. CLOUD, Minn. — The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) released its 2023 Preseason Central Region Poll with Washburn checking in at No. 10 in the initial rankings.
The Ichabods are coming off an historic season where they went 33-22 (19-14 MIAA), reached the MIAA Tournament championship game, and made the program's first-ever NCAA postseason tournament appearance.
Washburn returns 26 players to this year's roster including All-MIAA second team selection,
Casey Steward, and All-MIAA Honorable Mention,
Cal Watkins.
Three other MIAA teams were represented in the top-10 alongside Washburn with Central Missouri landing at No. 2, Northeastern State at No. 7, and Pittsburg State at No. 8.
Washburn will begin its 2023 campaign with four games against Central Region teams at the Dugan Invitational in Hot Springs, Ark. starting Feb. 2. The Ichabods will be taking on two regionally ranked teams as they are set to face No. 1-regionally ranked Southern Arkansas in the season opener and close out the weekend at No. 5-regionally ranked Henderson State.
CENTRAL REGION
| Rank |
Team (1st Place Votes) |
2022 Record |
Pts |
Prev |
| 1 |
Southern Arkansas (12) |
47-13 |
145 |
- |
| 2 |
Central Missouri (2) |
45-9 |
128 |
- |
| 3 |
Augustana (1) |
47-13 |
120 |
- |
| 4 |
Minnesota State-Mankato |
39-9 |
104 |
- |
| 5 |
Henderson State |
40-17 |
87 |
- |
| 6 |
St. Cloud State |
37-13 |
60 |
- |
| 7 |
Northeastern State |
38-17 |
58 |
- |
| 8 |
Pittsburg State |
31-21 |
50 |
- |
| 9 |
Oklahoma Baptist |
26-22 |
34 |
- |
| 10 |
Washburn |
33-21 |
13 |
- |
