Carthage, Illinois Wesleyan finish tied atop latest CCIW preseason baseball poll

NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- Carthage and Illinois Wesleyan finished in a tie
for first in the latest College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin
(CCIW) Preseason Baseball Poll conducted Wednesday.

Both the Red Men (32-12, 14-7) and Titans (28-18, 15-6) finished with
45 points and three first place votes after both advanced to the NCAA
Regional last season.

Illinois Wesleyan was CCIW co-champions with North Park (30-12, 15-6)
last season as the Vikings placed third in the poll with 29 points and
one first place vote.

Wheaton (17-23, 8-13) placed fourth with 28 points, followed by
Augustana (28-12, 12-9) (27 points), North Central (22-17, 13-8) (25
points and one first place vote), Elmhurst (18-20, 6-15) (15 points)
and Millikin (7-32, 1-20) (10 points).

Voting is done by the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's
head baseball coaches. Each coach votes for the seven other schools in
the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in
reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second,
etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own teams.

T-1. Carthage - 45 (3 first place votes)
T-1. Illinois Wesleyan - 45 (3 first place votes)
3. North Park - 29 (1 first place vote)
4. Wheaton - 28         
5. Augustana - 27       
6. North Central - 25 (1 first place vote)
7. Elmhurst - 15        
8. Millikin - 10