Feb. 8, 2011

Kent State is ahead of the pack in the MAC

Defending champion Kent State is the favorite to win the Mid-American Conference Tournament in 2011, in voting by the league head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Golden Flashes were picked to win the East Division with a perfect 72 points, easily ahead of second-place Miami with 53 points. Kent State picked up five votes to win the conference tournament. The Golden Flashes won their fourth East Division title in five years in 2010 and won five elimination games in three days to take the MAC tourney title. Kent State returns seven position starters and three starting pitchers.

Bowling Green came in third in the East Division voting, followed by Ohio, Akron and Buffalo.

Regular-season champion Central Michigan picked up 69 points to earn the top spot in the West Division, followed by Toledo, Eastern Michigan, Ball State, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan.

The Chippewas garnered three votes to win the tournament championship. CMU brings back six position starters and all but one of its weekly rotation, plus its entire bullpen.

The 2011 campaign kicks off on Friday, Feb. 18. Conference contests commence on Friday, March 25. The 2011 MAC Tournament will be held May 25-28 at VA Memorial Stadium in Chillicothe, Ohio.

MAC Preseason Poll

Team, Points (2010 MAC, Overall Records)

MAC East Division
1. Kent State, 72 (18-9, 39-25)
2. Miami, 53 (13-14, 28-28)
3. Bowling Green, 50 (18-9, 31-23-1)
4. Ohio, 35 (13-14, 20-35)
5. Akron, 24 (3-24, 21-34)
6. Buffalo, 16 (9-18, 23-29)

MAC West Division
1. Central Michigan, 69 (20-7, 36-22)
2. Toledo, 60 (19-8, 34-22)
3. Eastern Michigan, 46 (13-14, 27-32)
4. Ball State, 37 (19-8, 29-29)
5. Northern Illinois, 26 (12-15, 24-31)
6. Western Michigan, 12 (5-22, 12-42)

MAC Tournament Champion
Kent State (5), Central Michigan (3), Toledo (2), Miami (1), Eastern Michigan (1)