The Central Missouri Mules baseball team was the unanimous choice among the coaches to repeat as MIAA Champions in 2011, announced Monday by the conference office.

Central Missouri received all 11 possible first place votes, as coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams. Central Missouri is highly ranked in the national polls as well, earning a No. 3 ranking from the coaches in the Division II Collegiate Baseball preseason poll, and a No. 4 ranking in the NCBWA poll.

Right behind UCM was league runner-up Emporia State with 111 points and the only available first place vote. 2010 third place finisher Nebraska-Omaha was picked third again, with 100 points.

The Mules won the MIAA regular season and postseason tournament a year ago, and hosted the NCAA South Central Regional. They won that and advanced to the D-II World Series for the 15th time, and posted a 52-11 overall record.

2011 MIAA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Central Missouri (11) – 121 pts.

2. Emporia State (1) – 111 pts.

3. Nebraska-Omaha – 100 pts.

4. Missouri Southern – 80 pts.

5. Fort Hays State – 79 pts.

6. Missouri Western – 74 pts.

7. Northwest Missouri – 61 pts.

8. Washburn – 60 pts.

9. Pittsburg State – 43 pts.

10. Southwest Baptist – 28 pts.

11. Truman – 21 pts.

12. Lincoln – 14 pts.