CLEVELAND – The Mid-American Conference announced the results of its 2019 Preseason Baseball Coaches' Poll on Wednesday. Miami was picked to finish third out of 10 teams.

The RedHawks received one first place vote and 78 total points in the poll. Defending champion Kent State was picked as the team to beat, taking eight of the 10 first place votes and scoring 98 total points. Ball State finished second in the poll with 88 points. Northern Illinois received the other first place vote, but were finished to pick ninth overall.

Miami returns five position starters and 18 letterwinners from a team that went 35-20 overall and tied for second in the MAC at 17-10 in 2018. The RedHawks advanced to the championship game in the MAC Tournament.

Miami opens the 2019 season Friday when it travels to Hoover, Alabama to begin a four-game neutral site series against Saint Louis. Friday's game begins at 5 p.m. (Eastern/4 p.m. Central). The Saturday doubleheader starts at 2 p.m. (Eastern/1 p.m. Central) with the second game following 45 minutes after the first. The Sunday finale begins at 1 p.m. (Eastern/Noon Central).

2019 MAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Total Points (first place votes)
1. Kent State – 98 (8)
2. Ball State – 88
3. Miami – 78 (1)
4. Central Michigan – 53
5. Toledo – 51
6. Ohio – 49
7. Eastern Michigan – 45
8. Western Michigan – 42
9. Northern Illinois – 29 (1)
10. Bowling Green – 17