In its Jan. 8 season preview print edition, Collegiate Baseball tabbed the Panthers first in its OVC projected order of finish. Mueller was selected as the projected pitcher of the year.
Last month, EIU was the only OVC team to receive votes in CBN’s Fabulous 40 preseason national poll. The last two years, the Panthers have won the 2008 OVC Tournament title and the 2009 OVC regular-season crown. Eastern had the highest RPI (63) in the conference last spring.
The OVC preseason coaches’ poll, along with the league’s preseason player and pitcher of the year, are slated to be released in mid-February. The college baseball seasons opens around the country the weekend of Feb. 19-21.
