CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The Loras College baseball program has been tabbed to finish fifth in the American Rivers Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Wednesday. Buena Vista University was picked to repeat as conference champions, as the Beavers collected eight of the nine first-place votes. 
 
HEAD COACH
Carl Tebon returns to the Purple and Gold for his 29^th season and has amassed a career record of 562-518-4 record over that span. In a quote from the league's release, Tebon said, "(There are) many new coaches in the conference that bring a fresh look to a lot of teams. The conference will be as strong as ever top to bottom. Many challenges with a lot of returners throughout the conference this year. We return some good players that will have to lead a young group of players.
 
2023 REVIEW
Loras is coming off one of the most successful seasons in school history, as the Duhawks finished with an overall record of 29-17 (15-9 American Rivers Conference) and appeared in the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament.

Looking to continue to contend and punch another ticket to the postseason, the Duhawks boast a strong returning class, including he likes of senior Daniel Rogers, who started in 46 games last season and recorded 48 runs, 40 RBI, and 10 home runs with a .388 batting average. Another senior to keep an eye on is outfielder Nick DiBenedetto, who closed out 2023 with 35 runs, 43 RBIs, and seven homers in 46 games played.

Junior Max McCallum returns in the outfield and brings back a wealth of experience, including having started in 45 games last season. The The Aurora, Ill. native earned 52 runs and batted in 32 with six home runs. Lastly, Cody Sunny returns for the Duhawks, having started 32 games and recorded 44 hits, 14 RBIs, and a batting average of .373.

The quartet of Rogers, DiBenedetto, McCallum, and Sunny were all named to the 2023 A-R-C All-Conference teams.
 
2024 SEASON
The Duhawks will begin the season on Feb. 23 as the program heads to Illinois to take on Blackburn College. On Saturday, Feb. 24, Loras faces off against Illinois College at 10:30 a.m., followed by a game with Calvin University at 2 p.m. A week later, the Duhawks return to Illinois to face Greenville University in a three-game series starting on Friday, Mar. 1.

From there, the Purple and Gold head down to Florida for the team's annual trip for the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, where the team will play nine games. The first home game of the season at Petrakis Park will be on Mar. 22, with a three-game series against A-R-C foe Nebraska Wesleyan before the team welcomes in Wartburg on Mar. 26 and UW-Whitewater on Mar. 28.

The start of postseason action gets underway with the American Rivers Conference Tournament , which will take place May 9-11 at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.