#1 Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho)

Lewis-Clark State, led by head coach Ed Cheff, start off the season in familiar territory, at the top of the rankings. Coming off of their third straight national title, and 16^th overall, the Warriors have grown accustomed to life at the top of the NAIA baseball world. Senior pitcher Michael Guerrero leads the way on the mound for the Warriors after going 8-1 with a 2.64 ERA and 66 strike-outs in 85.1 innings in 2008. Preseason All-American catcher Brian Ward, looks to be the big bat in the middle of the lineup after hitting .367 with eight home runs and 54 RBIs last year.

#2 Lee University (Tenn.)

The Flames of Lee University start off the 2009 season at the same spot as they finished last season, at #2 in the polls. Coach Mark Drew, last years Rawlings-NAIA Coach of the Year, has reason to believe that the Flames can make it to the top this year. Returning first team All-American pitcher Pablo Lopez finished last season with a 10-1 record while also picking up 12 saves. Speedy outfielder Julian Alvarez is another preseason All-American for the Flames. Alvarez also has fantastic power and led the NAIA with 26 home runes in 2008.

#3 Embry – Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.)

The Eagles will be leaning on a pair of seniors at the plate to lead the way but have a strong group of newcomers on the mound to help share that load. Brandon Roper-Hubbert (.336, 4HR, 33RBIs) and Aaron Tea (.322, 6HR, 31RBIs) both look to fill the holes left in the middle of the lineup from last season. Hard throwing right handed pitchers Barrett Bruce, a transfer from the University of Houston, and Donald Jordat, a transfer from Miami Dade Community College look to bring an immediate presence to the Eagle pitching staff.

#4 Biola University (Calif.)

Preseason All-American Hawkins Gebbers leads the way offensively for the 4^th ranked Eagles. Gebbers, a senior shortstop led the Golden State Athletic Conference hitting .426 last season with 13 homeruns and 59 RBIs. The Eagles pitching staff lost only two pitchers from last year. They will look to Brian Albert, 9-3 3.81 ERA, and Tim Nolan, who had a team leading seven saves, to pace the team on the mound.

#5 Spring Arbor University (Mich.)

Pitching will be a strong point for the Cougars this season as they return Preseason All-American pitcher RHP Jesse Bachman (10-3, 2.53 ERA, 92.1 innings) and LHP Colin O'Connell (10-2, 2.52 ERA, 75 innings). Bachman also produced at the plate and in the field hitting .355 with 27 RBIs last season while committing only four errors for a .976 fielding percentage. Shortstop Brad Baker leads the way for Spring Arbor at the plate. Last season Baker hit .354 with 7 home runs and 42 RBIs.

#6 Bellevue University (Neb.)

Coach Mike Evans begins his 21^st season at the helm of the Bruins with his team once again in the Top 10. Infielder Drew Farley (.333, 10HR, 48 RBI) fills the middle of the order after a strong junior season from the left side of the plate. Kyle Wink returns to for the Bruins on the mound. Kyle fashioned a 3.04 ERA while striking out 66 batters in 53.1 innings. Ross Jones provides speed on the base paths after stealing 17 bases last year.

#7 Union College (Ky.)

The Union College Bulldogs begin the season tied for the highest ranking in school history. Coach Bart Osborne's Bulldogs also were ranked 7^th in April of 2006. The Bulldogs also tied a team record with 48 victories last season. Senior infielder Joe Grinstead returns after hitting a team leading .433 with 91 hits. He was also second on the team with 10 HR and 59 RBIs. Senior LHP Lance Doughtery was 8-1 last season with a 2.93 ERA in 83 innings.

#8 Azusa Pacific University (Calif.)

Azusa Pacific's search for their third straight NAIA World Series birth took a hit on June 5^th and 6^th as the Major League draft had three separate Cougar's names called, a record for the University. The Cougars, who won 46 games in 2008, will be searching for their record 10^th Golden State Athletic Conference baseball title. Junior 1B Brice Cutspec is ready to lead the way after hitting .404 with 12 HR and 64 RBIs. Ben Jones was 4-1 with 6 saves and a 3.86 ERA for the Cougars.

#9 University of Mobile (Ala.)

Head Coach Mike Jacobs biggest job of the offseason was replacing the hole left in the starting rotation after their 43 win season in 2008. Jacobs went a long way towards filling that hole thanks to two transfers into the Rams program. The Rams signed Alan Butts who transferred from Bishop State and Spencer McDonald from Alabama Southern. McDonald was 13-3 the past two seasons for the NCAA Division 1 school. Second baseman Jared Baria dominated last season at the plate hitting .411 with 6 HR and 50 RBIs.

#10 University of the Cumberlands (Ky.)

The Patriots have a strong nucleus coming back around the diamond to help them fight for a Mid-South Conference championship. OF Jeff Poff (.431, 29 RBIs), OF Dylan Holt (.353, 1 HR, 19 RBIs), and SS Trea Balzano (.343, 3 HR, 42 RBIs) will ensure that there are plenty of base runners for the Patriots this season. Pitchers Adam Blakely (9-3, 2.84 ERA) and Tyler Lee (9-3, 3.03 ERA) will lead the way on the mound for the University of the Cumberlands.

#11 Cumberland University (Tenn.)

The Bulldogs lost the majority of their pitching staff from last season but may have the offensive firepower to make up for it. Catcher Mike Wheeler (.343, 15 HR, 64 RBIs) and outfielder/DH Zack Diekmann (.339, 8HR, 26 RBIs) return to help form a powerful lineup.

#12 Southern Polytechnic State University (Ga.)

First baseman Daniel Hester (.331, 13 HR, 44 RBIs) set a single season team record in 2008 with 13 home runs. Senior Mark Doll was last the conference and region pitcher of the year after going 10-1 with a 2.74 ERA.

#13 University of St. Francis (Ill.)

Preseason All-American OF Dan Higgins is the driving force behind the Saint's offense this year after hitting .459 with 9 HR and 45 RBIs last season. Junior RHP Brandon Kvistad returns after going 8-1 with a 3.06 ERA in 2008.

#14 Tennessee Wesleyan College

Coach Bill Berry looks to lead Tennessee Wesleyan to their fourth straight Appalachian Athletic Conference championship. The Bulldogs look to senior third baseman Tyler Moyneur (.364, 12 HR, 45 RBIs) and center fielder Eddie Van Es (.362, 7 HR, 68 RBI) to be the catalysts on offense.

#15 Louisiana State University – Shreveport

The Pilots will be led on the mound this year by Gino Spratley who was 7-1 with a team best 3.40 ERA last season. Andrew Brouillette hit .410 with 8 HR and 53 RBIs in 2008 as the starting catcher.

#16 Fresno Pacific University (Calif.)

Fresno Pacific, in their fourth season of baseball, is ranked in the preseason for the first time in team history. Pitcher Daniel Brodie appeared in 23 games for the Sunbirds in 2008 racking up 4 wins and 5 saves in 55.2 innings pitched.

#17 Texas Wesleyan University

Senior second baseman Butch Ballez hit .418 with 9 HR and 61 RBIs to lead the way for the Rams last season. Joey Evans was 2-1 with 5 saves in 51.2 innings pitched in 2008.

#18 Auburn University Montgomery (Ala.)

The Senators success this season depends on replacing Allen Ponder who led the team in home runs, RBIs, wins, saves, and ERA. Senior right handed pitcher Stephen Yates returns to the mound for the Senators after going 6-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 84.1 innings pitched in 2008.

#19 Missouri Baptist University

Missouri Baptist search for their first ever NAIA World Series birth will begin with only four seniors on their roster this season and none of them are pitchers. Catcher Jacob Myking returns behind the plate for the Spartans after hitting .351 last season.

#20 Trevecca Nazarene University (Tenn.)

Senior LHP Wesley Griggs looks to follow up his outstanding junior season in which he was 10-2 with a 3.53 ERA in 74 innings pitched and led the Trojans in wins last season. Catcher Brian Dirheimer led the team in home runs last season with 12 to go along with his .355 average and 48 RBIs.

#21 Warner University (Fla.)

Bruce Beumel is the top returning pitcher for the Royals this year, leading the team with 5 wins last season. First baseman Jason Caldwe had a big season last year for Warner hitting .339 with 6 home runs and 36 RBIs.

#22 Ohio Dominican University

Preseason All-American pitcher David Colopy went 11-2 with a 2.14 ERA last season and lead the Panthers to their fifth NAIA World Series trip in the past eight seasons. Outfielder Eian Banks comes back to the Panther's lineup after hitting .348 with 5 HR and 35 RBIs last season.

#23 Jamestown College (N.D.)

Third baseman Ben Cairns had a great season for the Jimmies last season hitting .391 with 9 HR and 39 RBIs. RHP Steve Hirchert led the team with 6 saves last year to go along with his 4 wins and 2.86 ERA.

#24 Madonna University (Mich.)

Jeff Sonnenberg, .368 last season, and Kevin Zerbo, .354 with 8 HRs and 44 RBIs in 2008 return to lead the Crusaders at the plate. Sonnenberg was also 3-2 with a 2.53 ERA, appearing in 12 games and throwing 46.1 innings in 2008.

#25 Belhaven College (Miss.)

The Belhaven Blazers are in the preseason Top 25 for the first time in school history. Junior pitcher Riley Galloway was 8-3 with a 3.72 ERA in 72.2 innings pitched for the Blazers in 2008.

Around the world of NAIA Baseball

Oklahoma City University had three members on the NAIA Preseason All-American baseball team, the most of any one team. Third baseman Brett Weaver, outfielder Garrett Regan, and pitcher David Odquist were all selected for the Stars. Regan from Oklahoma City, Blake Kelly from Rogers State, and Brent Ebinger from Lambuth were the only juniors named to the Preseason All-American team.