ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Missouri Baptist University was picked to win the American Midwest Conference in the 2022 AMC Preseason Coaches' Poll, edging out the reigning champion (RV) Columbia College Cougars by one point. 
  
1. Missouri Baptist University (45 points)
The Spartans come into 2022 with redemption on their mind after finishing second in the regular season before getting cut down by the Cougars in the AMC tournament championship. Besides the departures of first-team All-AMC selections Kyle O'Brien, Trey Steffler, and Josh Sieglitz, the Spartans return nearly everyone from last year's squad.
 
AMC Newcomer Pitcher of the Year Matthew Hess (6 W, 3.19 ERA) and Masen Palmier (6 W, 3.93 ERA) return to anchor the pitching staff while offensive standouts Noah Hemphill (.382 BA, 33 RBI) and Tommy Patrick (.387 BA, 9 HRs, 33 RBI) look to step into even bigger roles this year. Community college transfers Alex Adams (6 HRs, 36 RBI) and Jordan Brandenburg (.328 BA) also appear to be significant parts of the scheme. With tons of pitching depth and offensive firepower, the Spartans are set up to challenge the reigning champions for the crown. 
 
2. Columbia College (44 points)
Coming off an impressive 2021 that saw them win the conference regular season and the conference tournament, the Cougars come into 2022 with a boatload of talent despite losing some big pieces. First Team All-American Kenny Piper departed after graduating and getting selected in the MLB Draft, while top pitcher Chris Wall and standout shortstop Brad Prebay move on as well. Returning to the squad is infielder Kellen Williamson (.350 BA), outfielder Jarrett Newell (.247 BA), senior pitcher JP Schneider (3.64 ERA), and pitcher Pharon Pilgrim (3-1, 31 Ks). 
 
New faces include All-Conference Francis Howell High School starter Dan Fick (7-1, 2.75 ERA), pitcher Reece Clapp (Rock Bridge High School­), pitcher Kaleb Richards (Ellington High School), and freshman catcher Tom McKenna. The re-tooled Cougar squad is still in a prime position to defend their title in 2022. 
 
3. Lyon College (36 points)
The Scots have plenty of experience heading into the new campaign as they look to continue building on a fourth-place finish in the standings last spring. Chris Lara (.333 BA, 17 RBI), Troy Strack (.322 BA, 24 RBI), Tristan Buschow (.277 BA, 18 RBI), and Logan Doody (.306 BA) headline the veterans taking up residence in the Lyon lineup this year. Hoping to add to the mix are newcomers Zane Wallace, Dylan Baskin, Aiden Heitman, and Kaden Doan. 
 
Even with the key departures from last year (Jake Michener, Ethan Denny, Nash Winters, and Marcelo Terrazas), there will be little surprise if the Scots make the jump to a third-place finish or better.  
 
4. Central Baptist College (31 points)
The 2021 season ended in the first game of the AMC tournament for the Mustangs after being upset as the fifth seed by the eighth-seeded Hannibal-LaGrange Trojans. Needless to say, CBC comes into this spring hungry. They are set up nicely to satisfy that hunger in 2022, returning First-Team All-AMC selection Jay French (.365 BA, 25 RBI), second-team selection Steven Stewart (.327 BA, 27 RBI), the AMC Freshman Pitcher of the Year Andrew Killough (Five wins, 73 Ks), and the AMC Freshman Hitter of the Year Ruben Hernandez (.365 BA, 6 HRs, 33 RBI), with their only key departure being senior shortstop Kelvin Volquez. 
 
Head Coach Aaron Brister brought in a trio of transfers in Logan Easterling (Allen County CC), Luke McBride (Northeast Texas CC), and Kyle Bass (Northern Oklahoma College) to add to the mix with additional freshman newcomer Jose Monegro out of the Dominican Republic. With five players returning to the field and 11 pitchers returning to the staff, the Mustangs will be strong competitors in 2022. 
 
5. William Woods University (28 points)
The Owls came into last year's postseason tournament as the third seed and battled through the first few rounds before getting beat 15-8 by Lyon in the semifinals. WWU loses top senior pitchers Logan Bexten and Dylan Hanson but has plenty to be optimistic about for the new season. 
 
Slugging junior outfielder Isaiah Gibbs (.392 BA, 7 HRs, 42 RBI) returns to the field in 2022 alongside first baseman Easton Wallace (.312 BA, 5 HRs, 28 RBI), slick-fielding shortstop Jordan Smith, and junior right-hander Andrew Fyffe (3 SV, 24 Ks). Significant additions to the team include freshmen Vincent Pyeatt (Republic HS), Aj Willenberg (Christian Brothers College HS), Wyatt Fischer (Jefferson City HS), and Mineral Area College transfer Jackson Truesdell (3 W, 24 Ks). Expect the Owls to stay in the thick of it once again this spring.
 
6. Harris-Stowe State University (19 points)
The Hornets finished 8-14 in conference play in 2021 and look to continue improving under Head Coach Pernell Roberts Jr. The offense was explosive at times last season for Harris-Stowe, averaging nearly seven runs and more than one home run per game. If the offense carries over from last year and they find continual improvement from the pitching staff, the Hornets have a chance to make some noise in the AMC in 2022. 
 
7. Hannibal-LaGrange University (11 points)
Despite entering the AMC tournament as the eighth seed last spring, the Trojans came into the first game and bounced higher-seeded CBC with a convincing 11-7 final score before losing their next two. Hannibal-LaGrange might turn some heads in AMC play in the spring with another year of experience under their belt and a taste of postseason success.
 
8. Williams Baptist University (10 points)
Seniors Trent Pobst and Brody Ninemire are the only key subtractions to an Eagles squad that went 8-20 in the conference last year. Gold glove first baseman Nick Allred (.317 BA, 5 HR, 32 RBI) and Dezmond Cordova (.375 BA, .495 OBP) return this year to play alongside transfers Nick Jones (Middle Tennessee State) and Spencer Burnham (William Woods). Williams Baptist will use their underdog status as fuel to the fire as they push to exceed the preseason poll expectations over the next few months. 
 
AMC Baseball Conference Tournament
The 2022 AMC Baseball Tournament spans from May 3-6, 2022, and will be played in O'Fallon, Missouri. 

 

AMC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank	School	Points
1	Missouri Baptist	45
2	Columbia	44
3	Lyon	36
4	Central Baptist	31
5	William Woods	28
6	Harris-Stowe State	19
7	Hannibal-LaGrange	11
8	Williams Baptist	10