by Alan Babbitt

The Hope College baseball team claimed one first-place vote and placed second in the 2022 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Flying Dutchmen totaled 43 points. Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Preseason favorite Adrian College received seven first-place votes and finished with 49 points.

Led by head coach Stu Fritz, Hope went 25-15 last season, including a 14-8 mark in MIAA play. The Flying Dutchmen finished runner-up in the MIAA Tournament.

Hope returns three All-MIAA honorees, including first team selection and senior outfielders Spencer Cable (Hudsonville, Michigan / Hudsonville HS) and Evan Maday (Grand Rapids, Michigan / East Kentwood). Maday is a three-time All-MIAA centerfielder.

Senior outfielder Kainan Bayn (Zeeland, Michigan / Zeeland East) was an All-MIAA Second Team selection in 2021.

Photo of Spencer Cable by Lynne Powe

The Flying Dutchmen are set to open the season on Saturday, Feb. 26, with games against opponents from Indiana in Wabash College and Manchester University in Westfield, Indiana..

Hope's first MIAA three-game series is Friday-Saturday, April 1-2, against Alma College.