Indianapolis, Ind. - The Youngstown State baseball team has been predicted to finish fourth in the Horizon League in 2023 after a vote of the league's head coaches, the league announced on Wednesday.
Wright State, the defending Horizon League regular season and tournament champion, was picked to win the 2023 championship. The Raiders received 41 points and five of six first-place votes. Oakland was selected second with 29 points while Milwaukee earned 28 points to be placed third in the poll. Youngstown State was slotted fourth with 24 points while Northern Kentucky was tabbed fifth with 21 points and one first-place vote. Purdue Fort Wayne checked in at sixth in the poll with 19 points.
Youngstown State enters the 2023 season looking to build on the momentum that has been built over the last few campaigns. Most recently in 2022, YSU went 21-36 record to achieve back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 2005-06. The Penguins won 13 road contests for the second straight season in 2022 to reach double-digit road wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2006-07.
The Penguins went 12-16 in Horizon League play last season after going 24-16 in league action in 2021. It marked the first time YSU has won double-digit Horizon League games in back-to-back seasons since 2008-09. YSU earned a pair of road wins over Power Five opponents in 2022. The Penguins defeated ACC member Pitt 5-2 on March 16 before beating Big Ten member Penn State 2-1 on March 22. The win against Penn State marked YSU's first win over a Big Ten opponent since 1996.
Youngstown State placed third in the 2022 Horizon League Baseball Championship, which was its best finish since winning the tournament in 2014. The Penguins also won multiple games in the tournament for the first time since that championship season. In 2021, the Penguins went 32-24 overall to reach the 30-win plateau for just the second time in program history and for the first time since going 37-17 in 1995. YSU also reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2010.
The 2023 Horizon League Baseball Championship will take place on May 24-27 at the home site of the highest seed.
Youngstown State opens the 2023 season with a neutral-site content against Illinois at noon on Friday in Winston-Salem, N.C. All four of YSU's games on opening weekend will be broadcast live on YSNLive.com. For news and updates throughout the 2023 season, follow @YSUBaseball on Twitter.
2023 Horizon League Baseball Preseason Poll
Pl. Team - Points (First-Place Votes)
1. Wright State – 41 (5)
2. Oakland – 29
3. Milwaukee – 28
4. Youngstown State – 24
5. Northern Kentucky – 21 (1)
6. Purdue Fort Wayne – 19
