Penner, Dewsnap Voted Preseason All-WAC, CSUB Picked 5th

Written by Chris Thompson, WAC

DENVER – Grand Canyon is the preseason favorite to win the 2018 Western Athletic Conference baseball title while NM State's Kyle Bradish and Mason Fishback were selected WAC Preseason Pitcher and Player of the Year respectively in a vote of the league's nine head coaches, who could not vote for their own team or players.

The Lopes received five first place votes to finish atop the preseason poll with 61 points. NM State was second, earning two first place votes and 54 points overall. Sacramento State earned one of the remaining first place votes to finish third with 51 points. Seattle U was selected fourth with 46 points and the last first place vote, followed by CSU Bakersfield, Utah Valley, UT Rio Grande Valley, Northern Colorado and Chicago State.

Bradish and Fishback highlighted the Preseason All-WAC squad as NM State led the way with four players. The Aggies' Joey Ortiz and Tristen Carranza joined Bradish and Fishback on the list. Sacramento State had three earn honors as the Hornets were represented by Vinny Esposito, Ian Dawkins and James Outman. Grand Canyon was represented by three as well with Ian Evans, Austin Bull and Jake Wong selected to the team. CSU Bakersfield had two selections with Andrew Penner and Naithen Dewsnap earning honors. Northern Colorado outfielder Jack Pauley and Seattle U pitcher Tarik Skubal rounded out the 14-member squad.

The 2018 season begins on Friday, Feb. 16. WAC play is set to begin on March 23.

2018 Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll
Rank     Team (1st Place Votes)    Points
   1.        Grand Canyon (5) 61
   2.        NM State (2) 54
   3.        Sacramento State (1) 51
   4.        Seattle U (1) 46
   5.        CSU Bakersfield 32
   6.        Utah Valley 30
   7.        UT Rio Grande Valley       23
   8.        Northern Colorado 19
   9.        Chicago State 8

2018 Preseason All-WAC Team
Catcher: Mason Fishback, Sr., NM State
First Base: Vinny Esposito, Sr., Sacramento State
First Base: Ian Evans, Sr., Grand Canyon
Second Base: Austin Bull, Jr., Grand Canyon
Third Base: Andrew Penner, Sr., CSU Bakersfield
Shortstop: Joey Ortiz, So., NM State
Outfield: Tristen Carranza, Jr., NM State
Outfield: Ian Dawkins, Sr., Sacramento State
Outfield: James Outman, Jr., Sacramento State
Outfield: Jack Pauley, Jr., Northern Colorado
Starting Pitcher: Kyle Bradish, Jr., NM State
Starting Pitcher: Jake Wong, Jr., Grand Canyon
Starting Pitcher: Tarik Skubal, Jr., Seattle U
Relief Pitcher: Naithen Dewsnap, Sr., CSU Bakersfield

- WAC -

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Players Mentioned

#22 Naithen Dewsnap: P; 6' 4"; Senior; R/R

#7 Andrew Penner: C/OF; 5' 11"; Senior; R/R

Players Mentioned

#22 Naithen Dewsnap
: 6' 4"; Senior; R/R
: P

#7 Andrew Penner
: 5' 11"; Senior; R/R
: C/OF

Players Mentioned

#22 Naithen Dewsnap

#7 Andrew Penner

Players Mentioned

#22 Naithen Dewsnap

#7 Andrew Penner