Delaware State, Bethune-Cookman Picked to Win MEAC Baseball Divisions

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Delaware State and Bethune-Cookman were selected to win the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern and Southern Divisions, respectively, in baseball this season, the conference office announced today.

The poll was voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.

Delaware State picked up 13 first-place votes in being tabbed the preseason favorite to win the Northern Division, racking up 67 points. The Hornets finished second in the division last season and advanced to the third day of the 2017 MEAC Baseball Championship.

Norfolk State, which has won the Northern Division each of the last three seasons and was in last year’s championship game, was picked to finish second after tallying five first-place votes and 56 points. The Spartans are entering their first season under interim head coach Keith Shumate, and they lost the reigning MEAC Player of the Year (Alex Mauricio) and Pitcher of the Year (Devin Hemmerich).

Coppin State and Maryland Eastern Shore, entering its first season under head coach Brian Hollamon, rounded out the Northern Division.

Bethune-Cookman, with 13 first-place votes and 84 points, was picked to win the Southern Division. The Wildcats won the MEAC title last season, their 19th, before becoming the first MEAC team ever to advance to an NCAA regional final – where they faced eventual national champion Florida. Bethune-Cookman will be entering its first season under interim head coach Barrett Shaft.

North Carolina A&T State, under the direction of reigning MEAC Coach of the Year Ben Hall, was picked to finish second, edging out Florida A&M (five first-place votes) 64 points to 63.

North Carolina Central and Savannah State rounded out the Southern Division.

The 2018 MEAC baseball season begins on Friday, Feb. 16, when seven of the conference’s nine baseball schools are in action.

2018 MEAC Baseball Predicted Order of Finish
As voted on by the leagues’ head coaches and sports information directors

NORTHERN DIVISION

School (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Delaware State (13)	67
2. Norfolk State (5)	56
3. Coppin State	32
4. Maryland Eastern Shore	25

SOUTHERN DIVISION

School (First-Place Votes)	Points
1. Bethune-Cookman (13)	84
2. North Carolina A&T State	64
3. Florida A&M (5)	63
4. North Carolina Central	37
5. Savannah State	22

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