Welcome to Episode 113 of The Podcast About Division III Baseball. It's way too cold to start playing baseball in the Midwest Region (Region 9) but that's not gonna stop us from previewing all the D-III baseball teams within it. In order:
- ARC (at 2:40)
- Loras was definitely good but not "16-0" to start the year good; how will they keep the momentum going after a breakout season?
- Buena Vista can mash but will need some arms to step up
- Coe are the defending champs despite a bizarre season and have a lot of experience to replace
- Luther leads the rest of the pack within a very balanced conference on the whole
- MIAC (at 15:30)
- Bethel dominated in 2022 and has basically everyone back ready to do it again -- watch out for this squad
- Gustavus Adolphus and Saint John's (MN) are the likeliest to push the Royals
- Remember the name Kiefer Lord!!! (even if he isn't pitching in the MIAC anymore)
- MWC (at 29:10)
- We've seen a few different teams challenge for this conference title and the latest team on top was the Lawrence Vikings, who return an excellent lineup led by one of 2022's national HR leaders
- basically everyone else in this conference is solid, we'll see if UChicago can finally get over the hump
- UMAC (at 37:30)
- Crown was one of the best stories of 2022 and now has plenty back to defend their UMAC title
- Don't forget about Northwestern (MN), though, even if they have a ton of impact talent lost to transfer/graduation
- WIAC (at 45:50)
- UW-Stevens Point loudly re-established themselves back atop the D-III baseball world and look like the favorite again
- UW-Whitewater will need a ton of inexperienced arms to fill in a lot lost to graduation but the offense should roll again
- UW-La Crosse was ultra-young a year ago and might be ready to jump back into contention
- UW-Oshkosh was disappointing in 2022 but still has a good amount of talent to get back in the mix atop this conference
- Don't sleep on Eau Claire; that's a program clearly on the rise
We conclude (at 1:01:10) with our player and pitcher of the year picks, and our teams to beat. Then we say goodbye.
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