Utah State Club Baseball ranked No. 3

LOGAN — The Utah State Baseball Club team is ranked No. 3 in the country in the NCBA D-I Preseason Rawlings Top 20 Poll. The Aggies also collected two first-place votes of a possible 20. 

The team was “super relieved” to be ranked third since they will be returning all nine of their starters from last year’s national tournament, according to team captain and outfielder Braden Rawlin.

“We were really confident in the team that we have returning from last year,” Rawlin said. “It was really good to get that recognition.”

USU is ranked behind No. 1 Florida State, who won the 2022 NCBA Division I World Series, and No. 2 Cal Poly, who eliminated Utah State in the semifinals of the World Series bracket. Those two teams are the only opponents who defeated the Aggies last season.

“Our real goal this year is focusing on beating Florida State and being prepared for that game when the time comes,” Rawlin said. 

As for being ranked below the two squads, Rawlin said it provides extra motivation. 

“Having those two teams ranked ahead of us is a fair ranking, but we really do feel like we are the better team,” Rawlin said. “Just kind of gives us something to fight for and try and get to the top this year.”

The team is focused on improving from last year’s finish, but it starts with their conference season and then regionals. 

The Aggies start their spring season with four exhibitions against NJCAA-side College of Southern Idaho on Jan. 30 and 31 at Snow Canyon High School in St. George. Utah State has its home opener on March 18 against Boise State at Richard V. Hansen Ballpark in Smithfield. 

“We’d encourage anyone who’s interested in seeing how the team plays out this year to come watch those games,” Rawlin said. “Should be fun and competitive.” 

Featured image is a submitted photo.