RUSSELVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference released the 2025 Preseason Coaches Poll on Tuesday. After making an appearance in the 2024 GAC tournament, Head Coach
Justin Pettigrew's Muleriders have been voted fourth in the league's preseason poll with 93 total points and one first-place vote.
The University of Arkansas at Monticello, the reigning tournament champions, were voted the preseason favorites with 115 total points and six first-place votes. Harding was voted second with 108 total points and four first-place votes and Arkansas Tech was voted third with 98 total points and one first-place vote.
Returning All-Conference Players
The Muleriders will have some familiar faces on the diamond this year headlined by 2024 All-GAC First Team shortstop
Brandon Nicoll. Nicoll hit .316 last season and totaled 13 homeruns for the Muleriders bringing a veteran bat back to the lineup for 2025.
Jeremy Adorno also earned 2024 All-GAC Second Team honors along with
Trace Shoup. In 2024 Adorno made 15 appearances throwing 88 innings and finished with a 4.19 ERA and 100 total strikeouts. In
Trace Shoup's first year with the program he hit .382 at the plate with seven homeruns and will look to bring yet another veteran bat to the lineup.
Beginning the season
The Muleriders open their 2025 campaign on the road at the Dugan Invitational in Hot Springs, Arkansas on January 31st against Missouri Southern. SAU will then stay on the road as they travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas for the Henderson State Invitational before returning home to open conference play against Oklahoma Baptist for a three-game weekend series.
To see the full 2025 GAC Preseason Cocaches' Poll click
here.
