SEMO baseball team predicted to repeat as champion in OVC preseason poll

The two-time defending Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champion Southeast Missouri State baseball team was picked as the favorites to repeat again this year.

The Redhawks received 19 of 22 first-place votes and finished with 199 points to hold the top spot in the OVC preseason poll, which is voted on by league coaches and sports information directors and was released Friday.

"It's very humbling and we feel honored to be considered the preseason favorite in the OVC," coach Steve Bieser said in a press release. "This is anyone's race this year and we know we must be playing at our peak level to defend our crown. I believe this team is ready for the challenge as they have been very focused in their preparation."

Southeast went 36-23 last season and was 22-8 in conference last season to win its second consecutive OVC regular-season title. It was the first team to do so since Austin Peay won back to back titles in 2003 and 2004.

After dropping their opener of the OVC tournament the Redhawks won their next three elimination games, but lost to No. 2 Morehead State in the championship round.

Jacksonville State was predicted to finish second with 151 points while Austin Peay, which received two first-place votes, was third with 150 points.

Defending OVC tournament champion Morehead State was fourth with 145 followed by Belmont with 134.

Tennessee Tech picked up the remaining first-place vote and was sixth with 126 points.

SIU Edwardsville (101), Eastern Kentucky (74), Murray State (59), UT Martin (46) and Eastern Illinois (25) rounded out the poll.

Redhawks senior pitcher Joey Lucchesi was picked as preseason Pitcher of the Year and named to the preseason All-OVC team along with senior first baseman Ryan Rippee and senior shortstop Branden Boggetto.

Lucchesi was named the OVC's Pitcher of the Year following his junior campaign and first season with the Redhawks. He went 7-2 and had the OVC's best ERA at 3.17. After starting the season as a reliever Lucchesi moved into a starting spot during conference action and posted a 7-1 record and a 2.13 ERA. He led the league with 93 strikeouts.

Rippee drove in 56 runs and hit 12 home runs, 17 doubles and three triples as a junior last season after transferring from Jefferson College. He batted .299 with a slugging percentage of .551. Rippee, a second-team all-conference selection last season, also had just two errors at first base.

Boggetto was a second-team all-OVC, second-team ABCA/Rawlings South All-Region and All-OVC tournament selection as a junior. He led Southeast with 61 RBIs, 13 home runs, 23 doubles, 77 hits, 141 total bases and a .583 slugging percentage.

Austin Peay third baseman Logan Gray and Eastern Kentucky outfielder Kyle Nowlin shared preseason Player of the Year honors.

"It was nice to see several players receive individual recognition by being selected to the Preseason All-OVC team at their respective positions," Bieser said. "Joey is very deserving to be named Preseason pitcher of the year. He put together a very dominating performance last year in the OVC and looks ready to compete at a high level again this year. What is really special about this team is that they don't get caught up in the individual awards; they are focused on playing team baseball. We are ready to get started and play someone in a different uniform. We will be tested on opening weekend against a very tough Lamar program."

Southeast begins the 2016 season with three games at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, this weekend. The Redhawks' are set to play Game 1 at 6 p.m. Friday.

2016 Predicted Order of Finish

1. Southeast Missouri State (19 first-place votes) -- 199

2. Jacksonville State -- 151

3. Austin Peay (2) -- 150

4. Morehead State -- 145

5. Belmont -- 134

6. Tennessee Tech (1) -- 126

7. SIUE -- 101

8. Eastern Kentucky -- 74

9. Murray State -- 59

10. UT Martin -- 46

11. Eastern Illinois -- 25

2016 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Team

Preseason OVC Co-Player of the Year: Logan Gray, Austin Peay

Preseason OVC Co-Player of the Year: Kyle Nowlin, Eastern Kentucky

Preseason OVC Pitcher of the Year: Joey Lucchesi, Southeast Missouri State

C -- Tyler Lawrence, Murray State #

1B -- Ryan Rippee, Southeast Missouri State #

2B -- Tyler Fullerton, Belmont *

SS -- Branden Boggetto, Southeast Missouri State #

3B -- Logan Gray, Austin Peay #

OF -- Kyle Nowlin, Eastern Kentucky *

OF -- Demetre Taylor, Eastern Illinois #

OF -- TJ Alas, Eastern Kentucky

OF -- Jake Rowland, Tennessee Tech

DH -- Paschal Petrongolo, Jacksonville State*

UT -- Alex Robles, Austin Peay *

SP -- Joey Lucchesi, Southeast Missouri State*

SP -- Alex Robles, Austin Peay *

SP -- P.J. Schuster, SIUE #

SP -- Luke Humphreys, Morehead State #

SP -- Aaron Quillen, Belmont #

RP -- Justin Hoyt, Jacksonville State

RP -- Patrick Bernard, UT Martin

* - 1st Team All-OVC in 2015

# - 2nd Team All-OVC in 2015