The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference released its annual Preseason Coaches Poll this morning for the 2020 baseball season. The University of Minnesota Duluth was slotted to finish in the 11th spot this season, grabbing 77 votes, finishing just two votes behind the University of Mary (79) and 29 votes ahead of Southwest Minnesota State University (48)
 
The coaches pegged Augustana University to finish in the top spot this season, garnering 195 total votes while grabbing 13 out of 15 first place votes. Minnesota State University was able to grab the other two first place votes, and accumulate 184 points to finish in 2nd. St. Cloud State University (164), Wayne State University (153) and Minot State University round out the top five.
 
UMD's preseason player to watch this year was junior outfielder Henry George. George started in 39 games while playing in 43 total last season. He would lead the Bulldogs in stolen bases, grabbing 19 (7th in the NSIC) out of 23 attempts. George swung a .385 (tops with UMD, 7th in the NSIC) at the plate last season, with 59 hits (lead the team), a .464 (lead the team, 5th in the NSIC) and a .480 slugging percentage (3rd on UMD).
 
UMD's preseason pitcher to watch was senior pitcher Rece Dietrich. The Barron, Wis. Native made nine starts for the Bulldogs last season, leading the pitching staff. He posted the lowest earned run average for a starter on the team with a 3.56. Dietrich tossed one complete game, one of only two to do so on UMD's roster last season. He gave up only six walks in 48.0 total innings pitched and sat second on the team in strikeouts with a total of 26.
 
The Bulldogs kick off the year with non-conference double header with SMSU (Feb. 27) taking place as U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minn. UMD will then head down to Kissimmee, Fla. to take place in the Russmatt Central Florida Invitational Tournament (March 5-9) before starting NSIC play with two double headers with Concordia-St. Paul (March 14-15) and finishing conference play with two double headers with Bemidji State University (May 1-2) before starting post season play.