Riola named NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, SCSU Baseball picked to finish third in NSIC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1/18/2023 10:00:00 AM | Baseball
Huskies earn two First Place votes following runner-up regular season finish in 2022
BURNSVILLE, Minn. – St. Cloud State Baseball earned two First Place votes and has been selected to finish third in the 2023 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll as announced by the league office on Wednesday morning. Reigning NSIC Player of the Year Sam Riola was named the conference's Preseason Player of the Year.
"We're excited to contend for another NSIC Championship this season," said head coach Pat Dolan, "One of our top priorities this offseason was to build a deeper lineup, and we feel extremely confident that we did just that. This is one of our strongest recruiting classes in recent memory with high impact DI and junior college transfers complementing a great freshman class."
A unanimous All-American last season, Riola earned NSIC and Central Region Player of the Year honors after slashing .429/.533/.890 for a 1.423 OPS, setting a new program record with 22 home runs while driving in 66 and stealing 30 bases – becoming one of just two DII players to homer 20-plus times with 30-plus stolen bases in 2022.
"Sam was elected a captain this year and is a real gamer," Dolan commented, "He will be a two-way player for us this year hitting third in our lineup. He's such a toolsy player that can play defense, steal bases and leave the yard in any count. He was limited to just under 20 innings on the mound last year and didn't really pitch a lot until the last month of the season – he had a huge summer with Champlin Park and we expect him to be a key weekend starter for us in 2023!"
St. Cloud State went 37-13 a season ago, finishing second in the Northern Sun and just missing the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies' pitching staff fired nine complete games, logged six shutouts and threw a pair of no-hitters including a perfect game thrown by Luke Tupy on April 21 – just the 28th perfect game in NCAA DII history.
The Huskies project to be anchored by a deep, powerful lineup topped by Riola and All-NSIC picks John Nett and Tate Wallat. SCSU returns six everyday starters including designated hitter Drew Bulson, left fielder Tyler Schiller and first baseman Ethan Navratil with a host of talented position players battling for the remaining spots.
On the mound, NSIC Preseason Pitcher to Watch Riley Ahern leads the staff alongside All-American lefthander Luke Tupy, 2022 Northwoods League Pitcher of the Year Jack Habeck, flamethrowing All-Region righty Ethan Lanthier and a healthy Riola. The bullpen will be a key area to watch as veteran returners and junior college transfers work to earn leverage spots.
"We're extremely fortunate to have a guy like Riley leading our staff," Dolan concluded, "He's a strike thrower in the upper eights and is a ferocious competitor. He's one of the hardest workers and best leaders we have ever had. Our starting rotation should be a strength this year with a lot of variety in the looks our starters will give lineups – we have a blend of power arms, pitchability guys and bulldogs that should make us tough to face."
Minnesota State-Mankato earned 188 points in the poll to finish first, receiving eight First Place votes while Augustana picked five to place second with 185 points. St. Cloud State's two First Place votes helped provide 174 points for third. Mary and Minot State followed the Huskies in a tie for fourth with 128 points each while Winona State earned 126 for sixth. Minnesota Duluth (113), Sioux Falls (108), Minnesota Crookston (98) and Wayne State (97) rounded out the top 10. Concordia-St. Paul (66) and Northern State (66) tied for 11th with Upper Iowa (41), Southwest Minnesota State (40) and Bemidji State (17) closing out the final three spots.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Baseball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
"We're excited to contend for another NSIC Championship this season," said head coach Pat Dolan, "One of our top priorities this offseason was to build a deeper lineup, and we feel extremely confident that we did just that. This is one of our strongest recruiting classes in recent memory with high impact DI and junior college transfers complementing a great freshman class."
A unanimous All-American last season, Riola earned NSIC and Central Region Player of the Year honors after slashing .429/.533/.890 for a 1.423 OPS, setting a new program record with 22 home runs while driving in 66 and stealing 30 bases – becoming one of just two DII players to homer 20-plus times with 30-plus stolen bases in 2022.
"Sam was elected a captain this year and is a real gamer," Dolan commented, "He will be a two-way player for us this year hitting third in our lineup. He's such a toolsy player that can play defense, steal bases and leave the yard in any count. He was limited to just under 20 innings on the mound last year and didn't really pitch a lot until the last month of the season – he had a huge summer with Champlin Park and we expect him to be a key weekend starter for us in 2023!"
St. Cloud State went 37-13 a season ago, finishing second in the Northern Sun and just missing the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies' pitching staff fired nine complete games, logged six shutouts and threw a pair of no-hitters including a perfect game thrown by Luke Tupy on April 21 – just the 28th perfect game in NCAA DII history.
The Huskies project to be anchored by a deep, powerful lineup topped by Riola and All-NSIC picks John Nett and Tate Wallat. SCSU returns six everyday starters including designated hitter Drew Bulson, left fielder Tyler Schiller and first baseman Ethan Navratil with a host of talented position players battling for the remaining spots.
On the mound, NSIC Preseason Pitcher to Watch Riley Ahern leads the staff alongside All-American lefthander Luke Tupy, 2022 Northwoods League Pitcher of the Year Jack Habeck, flamethrowing All-Region righty Ethan Lanthier and a healthy Riola. The bullpen will be a key area to watch as veteran returners and junior college transfers work to earn leverage spots.
"We're extremely fortunate to have a guy like Riley leading our staff," Dolan concluded, "He's a strike thrower in the upper eights and is a ferocious competitor. He's one of the hardest workers and best leaders we have ever had. Our starting rotation should be a strength this year with a lot of variety in the looks our starters will give lineups – we have a blend of power arms, pitchability guys and bulldogs that should make us tough to face."
Minnesota State-Mankato earned 188 points in the poll to finish first, receiving eight First Place votes while Augustana picked five to place second with 185 points. St. Cloud State's two First Place votes helped provide 174 points for third. Mary and Minot State followed the Huskies in a tie for fourth with 128 points each while Winona State earned 126 for sixth. Minnesota Duluth (113), Sioux Falls (108), Minnesota Crookston (98) and Wayne State (97) rounded out the top 10. Concordia-St. Paul (66) and Northern State (66) tied for 11th with Upper Iowa (41), Southwest Minnesota State (40) and Bemidji State (17) closing out the final three spots.
For all the latest on St. Cloud State Baseball, stay tuned to SCSUHuskies.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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