The Eagles soar to number 28 in national poll
In the Collegiate Baseball’s Fabulous NCAA Division I Preseason Poll by Big League Chew bubble gum, the Winthrop baseball team was ranked 28th in the country. The Collegiate Baseball newspaper poll, released on Dec. 19, is the oldest college baseball poll and gives the rundown on the top players and teams in every NCAA Division I conference.
This is the highest the Eagles have ever been ranked by the publication. In 2015, the team was ranked 38th.
“I am very happy for my players, both current and former, and my assistant coaches, as they all have worked extremely hard in moving this program in the right direction,” said head coach Tom Riginos in an interview with Winthrop Athletics. “Our expectation is to be a Top 40 program every year. I do want to keep this in perspective. Preseason polls are great, but our goal is to finish the season in the poll.”
Riginos was the 2017 Big South Conference Coach of the Year. He led the team to a 31-22 overall record and clinched the Big South regular season title.
“It’s a great honor to be ranked that high, but then again it’s just preseason rankings,” said sophomore pitcher Colten Rendon. “We have to show that we deserve it by having a great season and hopefully even going further than what we were ranked.”
Last year, Rendon was the Big South Conference Freshman of the Year, an All-Big South Conference First Team honoree, and was named Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.
Also returning to the mound is Big South Preseason Pitcher of the Year Nate Pawelczyk. Pawelczyk was a 2017 First Team All-Big South Conference honoree and led the league in the pitching categories of ERA, wins, opponent batting average and runs allowed.
“This is the most talented, hardworking team from top to bottom out of the four years I have been here,” said senior captain Mitch Spires. “We have put in a lot of work in the offseason and have gotten some recognition in preseason polls, but we also understand it means nothing unless we come out and produce. We are excited to get started.”
Spires was named to the First Team All-Big South Conference. He led the team in runs scored and at-bats, and second in doubles, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
Returning to the field are eight of the top 10 batters from last year, including junior outfielder Hunter Lipscomb. Lipscomb was named to the 2017 Big South Conference All-Tournament Team for his five-game performance, hitting .381.
The Eagles season begins on Feb 16 in Oxford, Mississippi, for the Ole Miss series. Opening Day at Winthrop Ballpark is set for Feb. 23 against Maryland Eastern Shore.
For more of the latest Winthrop Baseball team updates, follow @WinthropBasebal on twitter or go to www.winthropeagles.com.
