Charlotte, N.C. – Winthrop baseball was selected to finish second in the Big South Conference Preseason Poll announced Thursday afternoon.
 
Winthrop received one first place vote after finishing the shortened 2020 season with an 11-4 record, its best start under head coach Tom Riginos.

The Eagles return key pieces such as Scout McFalls, Spencer Yankle, Joe McNamara, Tyler Baker, Jason Crumley and Colten Rendon. Yankle and McFalls were both recognized by DIBaseball in its final 2020 power rankings, being ranked the 28^th best catcher and 75^th best outfielder respectively.
 
In the shortened season, Rendon made seven appearances, struck out five batters and posted a 1.29 ERA. The former Freshman of the Year and First Team All-Big South Selection recorded four saves, tied for most in the conference.
 
Winthrop enters the 2021 season ranked 40^th overall in Collegiate Baseball's NCAA Division I preseason poll. The Eagles will welcome seven freshmen to the squad; Carson Beavers, Hunter Christopher, Malik Young, Parker Whittle, Reese Lumpkin, Aaron White and Parker Kruglewicz, as well as Furman transfer, Joey Tepper and Queens College transfer, Jonathan Strauss.

The 2021 Big South Baseball Championship is slated for May 27-29 and will take place at SEGRA Stadium in Fayetteville, N.C. The champion receives the Big South's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

2021 Big South Conference Baseball Preseason Poll
 
  Rk   Team (first-place votes)      1       2       3       4       5       6       7       8       9      10     Points
    1.  Campbell (6)                   6      2      1      -      -      -      -      1      -      -         89
   2.  Winthrop (1)                    1      6      1      1      -      -      -      1      -      -         82             
   3.  USC Upstate (2)               2      1      2      1      3      1      -      -      -      -         75
   4.  Radford                         -      1      3      4      2      -      -      -      -      -         73
   5.  High Point (1)                   1      -      3      2      -      3      1      -      -      -         67
   6.  Gardner-Webb                 -      -      -      1      2      3      4      -      -      -         50
   7.  Charleston Southern         -      -      -      1      1      1      2      2      2      1         37
   8.  Presbyterian College         -      -      -      -      2      1      2      1      4      -         36
   9.  UNC Asheville                 -      -      -      -      -      -      1      4      3      2         24
  10.  Longwood                      -      -      -      -      -      1      -      1      1      7          17
 
Note: points are based on a weighted system, with first-place votes receiving 10 points, followed by 9 points for second-place, and so on. 
 
PRESEASON PITCHER OF THE YEAR
RJ Petit, Charleston Southern
 
PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Collin Wolf, Campbell