2009 proved to be a pivotal year in the MWC as the conference earned two NCAA bids, neither of which went to traditional power Ripon. St. Norbert snagged a controversial Pool C bid based largely on their incredible strength of schedule while the Beloit Buccaneers swiped the Pool A bid with an unforeseen run through the league.
Much like the Civil War, the power in this conference lies in the North. As the waters of the MWC begin to clear this season, it appears that Beloit will again be the team to beat as they return their entire line-up from that NCAA experienced 2009 squad. The Bucs are lead by junior pitcher/utility player Mike Kovach(Plainfield, Illinois - Joliet Catholic) who landed on the D3baseball.com pre-season team as an Honorable Mention utility player. St. Norbert counters with 2009 MWC player of the year Jared Yost (.465, 13 2B). Still, never count out a Ripon squad that, except for a slight bobble in 2009, has owned this conference.
In the South Division, Monmouth returns four all-league selections and looks to challenge Knox and Illinois College for the South Division crown. Do not sleep on Grinnell who returns 21 players from a solid 2009 and has upgraded its roster with top-notch recruits for the 2010 season. That being said, the South is the weaker of the two divisions in the MWC and the North will prevail in the end.
