ST. PAUL – After a shortened spring in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a return to the baseball diamond in 2021 couldn't have been much more exciting in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) as the University of Northwestern compiled one of the program's and conference's best seasons in history finishing just one win shy of the NCAA Division III World Series.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bethany Lutheran won back-to-back UMAC tournament championships (2018, 2019) and returns five of its top hitters from last season and three starting pitchers which should help the Vikings challenge the Eagles. Three-time All-UMAC and All-Region selection Ross Buemer tops the Vikings' returners after hitting .342 with 29 RBI and 16 stolen bases in 2021. All-UMAC catcher Hunter Pearce will also anchor the Vikings behind the plate.
UMAC teams start action when the calendar turns to March, while the UMAC conference season is slated to begin Tuesday, March 29. With eight conference teams this season, the UMAC schedule consists of 21 games per institution with each team competing in a three-game series. Travel partner teams will play three single-game, mid-week contests, and all other series will consist of single-game contests on Fridays followed by a Saturday doubleheader.
The UMAC conference tournament is scheduled for Thursday-Saturday, May 12-14 at the site of the No. 1 seed. The winner will earn the conference's automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament.
2022 UMAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| Pl. |
School |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Northwestern |
48 (6) |
| 2. |
Bethany Lutheran |
42 (1) |
| 3. |
Crown |
37 (1) |
| 4. |
Wisconsin-Superior |
33 |
| 5. |
Minnesota Morris |
25 |
| 6. |
Northland |
17 |
| 7. |
North Central |
15 |
| 8. |
Martin Luther |
7 |
Bethany Lutheran Preview
Head Coach
Ryan Kragh | 18th season |
2021 Season
12-4 UMAC, 16-15 | 3rd |
Postseason: Lost 3-2 to St. Scholastica in UMAC Tournament quarterfinal, defeated UW-Superior 13-1 (7 innings) in UMAC quarterfinal, lost 2-1 to St. Scholastica in semifinal
Top Returners
- Ross Beumer, Sr., OF | Three-time All-UMAC, 2018 UMAC Rookie of the Year | Four-time All-Region | .342 batting average, 16 stolen bases, 29 RBIs|
- Hunter Pearce, Jr., C | 2021 All-UMAC | .312 batting average, 10 stolen bases, 17 RBIs |
- Adam Fjerstad, Sr., P | 2019 All- UMAC | 49 Ks, 39.2 IP, ranks ninth in career strikeouts |
Need to Know
Five of the top nine hitters and three starting pitchers return for the Vikings.
