By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – With the 2023 collegiate baseball season just eight days away, the Ohio Valley Conference released its Preseason All-Conference Team and predicted order of finish Thursday morning, with Tennessee Tech represented well on both.

In a vote of the league's head baseball coaches and communications directors, the Golden Eagles were picked to finish fifth among the nine teams competing for a conference title in 2023. Reigning OVC champion Southeast Missouri was selected first with Morehead State following in second.

Last season, the purple and gold finished sixth in the regular-season standings, but turned in a solid showing at the OVC Tournament, making it to the semifinals of action before falling to the eventual champion Redhawks. This year's Tech squad will feature a number of new players ready to make an impact and help the Golden Eagles climb the ladder in the standings.

The Golden Eagles do return a few veterans expected to carry significant roles into head coach Matt Bragga's second season back at the helm of the program, starting with a pair of individuals selected to the Preseason All-OVC Team. Last year's ace on the mound, Peyton Calitri, is back for his junior campaign and earned a place on the league's preseason squad after leading the team with six wins in 15 starts. 

The right-hander also posted team-highs of 85 and two-thirds innings work, 61 strikeouts, and a 5.04 ERA among qualified pitchers. He picked up OVC Pitcher of the Week accolades last season after turning in the third-longest outing ever by a Golden Eagle, going the distance in a 4-2 victory at ETSU in 10 innings. 

Also collecting his first appearance on the Preseason All-OVC team was catcher Hayden Gilliland, who posted strong numbers across the board while splitting time at catcher and designated hitter last season. The junior hit .313 with six doubles, five home runs, and 31 RBI while providing strong defense behind the dish. 

Joining Tech's Preseason All-OVC selections as veteran leaders are first baseman John Dyer and center fielder Austin Turner. Dyer enters his fifth season with the program ranked tied for 15th on the team's all-time career home run list with 24 blasts to his credit. Last season, the slugger hit .290 with 10 doubles, 12 long balls, and 31 RBI to go along with a .607 slugging percentage and .383 on-base percentage.

Turner started all but three games in center field for the purple and gold a year ago and heads into the 2023 season expected to serve as Tech's leadoff hitter. Last year, the junior batted .281 with 52 runs scored, six doubles, four home runs, four triples, and 23 RBI. He led the team with 46 walks, finished 5-for-8 on stolen-base attempts, and turned in a stellar .986 fielding percentage.

The Golden Eagles are scheduled to officially kick off the 2023 campaign Friday, Feb. 17 with a 3:00 p.m. CT contest with Bowling Green at Quillen Field and Bush Stadium at the Averitt Express Baseball Complex. The two teams will continue the series with a Saturday tilt at 2:00 p.m. and a Sunday affair at 1:00 p.m.

2023 Preseason All-Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Team
(Selected by OVC Head Baseball Coaches and Communications Directors)

Preseason OVC Player of the Year: Jackson Feltner (1B), Morehead State
Preseason OVC Pitcher of the Year: John Bakke (LHP), Morehead State

C - Lucas McNew, Southern Indiana
C - Hayden Gilliland, Tennessee Tech
1B - Jackson Feltner, Morehead State
2B - Nick Gooden, Morehead State
SS - Chris Worcester, Eastern Illinois
3B - Josh Ohl, SIUE
OF - Brett Graber, Southeast Missouri
OF - Brennan Orf, SIUE
OF - Jevon Mason, Southeast Missouri
DH - Brady Bunten, SIUE
UT - Ryan Ignoffo, Eastern Illinois
SP - John Bakke, Morehead State
SP - Peyton Calitri, Tennessee Tech
SP - Jackson Wells, Little Rock
SP - Eric Steensma, UT Martin
RP - Kyle Miller, Southeast Missouri

2023 OVC Baseball Predicted Order of Finish
(Selected by OVC Head Baseball Coaches and Communications Directors)

1. Southeast Missouri (16 first-place votes) – 128 points
2. Morehead State (2) - 100
3. Eastern Illinois - 89
4. Little Rock - 86
5. Tennessee Tech - 78
6. SIUE - 76
7. UT Martin - 41
8. Southern Indiana - 26
9. Lindenwood - 24

Photos by Jim Dillon and Thomas Corhern