Coming off a Midwest Regional tournament second-place finish in 2015, expectations in 2016 are high for Ashland University’s baseball team.

Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference head coaches agree.

The 2016 GLIAC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll was released Feb. 4, and AU was voted as the favorite to repeat as champions in the South Division.

“It’s a sign of our tradition, by winning the conference last season,” said Ashland Baseball head coach John Schaly. “It’s nice to get that recognition, but on the other hand, we know it doesn’t really mean a whole lot. The one that counts is the one at the end of the year.”

Grand Valley State was chosen as the favorite to repeat as champions in the North Division.

Each team received ten of 12 first-place votes, and 64 voting points overall.

Ohio Dominican (South Division) and Wayne State (North Division) were picked to finish second in their respective divisions.

The Eagles may go only as far as their pitching will take them in 2016. Two big pieces returning are senior Jake Baldwin (9-1, 2.67 ERA) and junior Brandyn Sittinger (4-3, 3.31).

“They had a great year last year. We feel like when they are on the mound we can beat anyone,” said Schaly.

Senior closer Alex Smith (ten saves, 3.38) returns as the anchor of the bullpen. Smith set the school record for saves last season.

Ashland will also rely on a number of other pitchers to help carry the load.

“We have good depth on our pitching staff,” said Schaly. “We can go 11 or 12 deep.”

On offense, Ashland brings back four of nine starters from a year ago. Senior first baseman Mackenzie Hampshire (.353 average, three home runs, 31 RBIs) and senior utility man Mike Lewandowski (.357, eight doubles, 23 RBIs) will be heavily counted on. Junior catcher Adam Vasil, sophomore catcher Ryan Lowe and senior outfielder Nick Edwards also return.

“We have a good mix with our lineup between speed and power,” said Schaly. “There will be a lot of new guys that will get their opportunity to play early on, but we feel that we have good depth lineup wise. We have a good mix of right-handed hitters versus left-handed hitters, so we feel confident that we are going to be able to score runs.”

The Eagles begin the 2016 season Saturday, Feb. 27, in Evansville, Indiana, facing Missouri-St. Louis (1 p.m.) and Southern Indiana (4 p.m.).