The Lindenwood baseball team has earned a ranking of No. 7 in the country in the recently released 2021 Collegiate Baseball Preseason Poll.  The Lions tallied 612 points, while No. 1 Tampa compiled 625 points in the NCAA Division II rankings.
 
The Lindenwood baseball team had one of the best starts to a season in program history in 2020.  The Lions jumped out to a 15-1 record, including a 3-0 mark in the GLVC before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
The Lions dominated the 2020 season, as their 15 wins in 16 games were recognized with the No. 5 ranking at the conclusion of the season.  Lindenwood outscored its opponents 105-36, with the help of 46 stolen bases.  Beau Collier led the team with 21 hits, while Kolby Schulte drove in a team-best 20 runs.  Calvin Nowak was an offensive machine as he hit .359, with 14 runs and 14 hits.  Nowak drew a team-leading 18 walks, and produced 11 stolen bases in his 15 games played.
 
Lindenwood was a scary team to face, as the pitching staff boasted a team ERA of 1.63.  Led by Kyle Hentis and his 36 strikeouts, the team compiled 125 strikeouts from the bump.  Lindenwood walked just 29 batters in 138 innings of work, and held its opposition to a .198 batting average.
 
"The story of the baseball team in 2020 has to lead off with the overall superlative effort of the pitching staff," said head coach Doug Bletcher.  "This staff led by pitching coach, Zac Pearman and senior Hentis, helped lead the Nation in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts-to-walks, and fewest walks per nine innings. Hentis had an ERA of 0.29 and five wins in five starts, but yet one of many on the staff that had the team in contention for National Championship aspirations."  Bletcher continued, "the team defense was solid and the offense was opportunistic and efficient, executing to a level of understanding of who they were. The team achieved a final national ranking of No. 5, raising the bar for the future of this program, not only in on the field performance, but academically, socially, and in leadership as well.
 
The Lions had 32 players earn GLVC Academic all-conference recognition, including Bryce Beckmann who was named GLVC Scholar Athlete of the Year.  Beckmann was also named to the CoSIDA Academic al-district team for his outstanding performance on the field and in the classroom.
 
Lindenwood is set to open the 2021 season to take on Mississippi College, who is receiving votes.  The opening series is set to start on Friday, February 26 in Clinton, Miss.  The Lions will return to Lou Brock Sports Complex on Friday, March 5 when they host Truman State in a non-conference series.  Lindenwood will conclude its eight-game home stand the following weekend to open GLVC play against William Jewell.