Contact: Chassidy Holloway, Associate Executive Director, holloway@midwestconference.org
GRINNELL, Iowa – Cornell College has been picked to win the 2025 Midwest Conference (MWC) baseball title following a vote by the league’s head coaches in this year’s preseason poll.
The Rams earned two first-place votes and 44 points to top the eight-team ranking. Last season, Cornell finished fourth in the regular-season standings and secured a spot in the MWC
Tournament for the first time since 2019.
Defending MWC champion Lawrence University placed second with three first-place votes and 36 points. Last year’s regular-season title was the Vikings’ second in three seasons.
Beloit College and Ripon College tied for third, each receiving a first-place vote and 33 points, just ahead of Grinnell College, which picked up one first-place vote and 32 points. The Buccaneers have advanced to the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons after winning back- to-back MWC Tournament crowns.
The poll rounds out with Illinois College (25), Monmouth College (14), and Knox College (7).
Illinois College will open the 2025 season with non-conference play on Friday, February 21, while five other teams join the action on Saturday, February 22.
The 2025 MWC Baseball Tournament is set for Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, featuring the top four teams in the league’s final standings. The winner of the double-elimination event will be crowned tournament champion and earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all eight teams can be found below.
2025 MWC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Cornell College (2) - 44 points
2. Lawrence University (3) - 36 points
T3. Beloit College (1) - 33 points
T3. Ripon College (1) - 33 points
5. Grinnell College (1) - 32 points
6. Illinois College - 25 points
7. Monmouth College - 14 points
8. Knox College - 7 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Dave DeGeorge (35th Season)
2024 Season: 24-17 Overall; 14-10 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Jack Alport (Jr – Outfield), Aiden Phipps (Sr – Pitcher), Connor Vogel (Sr – First Base)
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Robbie Dombrowski (3rd Season)
2024 Season: 23-18 Overall; 13-11 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Sean Alvarez (Sr – Utility), Cade Parks (So – Infield,
2024 MWC Newcomer of the Year), Kale Rose (Sr – Infield), Vince Tinajero (Sr – Pitcher)
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Tim Hollibaugh (32nd Season)
2024 Season: 16-23 Overall; 9-14 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Mac McCain (Sr – Infield)
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Jacob Waddle (7th Season)
2024 Season: 21-18 Overall; 8-15 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Louie Bartletti (Sr – Outfield)
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Jami Isaacson (26th Season)
2024 Season: 11-27 Overall; 5-19 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: N/A
Lawrence University Vikings
Interim Head Coach: Trent Whitcomb (1st Season)
2024 Season: 31-11 Overall; 20-3 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Taylor Freeman (Second Base), Nick Katz (Pitcher), Zach Leslie (First Base), Edan Perez (Outfield), Elden Santana (Pitcher)
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Alan Betourne (10th Season)
2024 Season: 17-21 Overall; 10-14 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Clayton Matkovic (Jr – Outfield)
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Eric Cruise (12th Season)
2024 Season: 11-27 Overall; 5-19 MWC
All-Conference Returnees: Blaine Wahlen (Sr – Pitcher)