College Baseball Insider Says Kent State is King of the MAC

CollegeBaseballInsider.com released the results of its 2011 Mid-American Conference preseason coaches survey today (Feb. 10), and Kent State has been picked as the team to beat.

The two-time defending MAC Tournament champions received plenty of attention in the CBI survey in which 11 of the MAC's 12 head coaches responded. Here's a look at how the Golden Flashes factored in:

Rank the top three starting pitchers: Andrew Chafin, Kent State; Michael Hamann, Toledo; Kendall Lewis, Eastern Michigan

The pitcher you least want to face is: Andrew Chafin, Kent State

The best defensive catcher is: (tie) David Lyon, Kent State; and Adam Weisenburger, Miami

The best defensive infielder is: Jimmy Rider, Kent State

Rank the three best pure hitters: Jon Berti, Bowling Green (pictured right); Travis Shaw, Kent State; Ben Klafczynski, Kent State

Rank the three biggest power threats: Travis Shaw, Kent State; Ben Klafczynski, Kent State; Dan Sherwood, Toledo

The best game coach is: Scott Stricklin, Kent State

The assistant coach most ready for a head-coaching job is: Mike Birkbeck, Kent State

Earlier this week, Kent State was selected to win both the MAC East Division title and conference tournament crown in the MAC's Preseason Coaches Poll.

Kent State closed out the 2010 regular season with its fourth MAC East Division crown in five years, and won five elimination games in three days to capture the MAC tournament title and earn a trip to the NCAA Los Angeles Regional -- its second consecutive NCAA berth. The Flashes welcome back seven starting position players and three starting pitchers from last year's squad.

The Golden Flashes enter the 2011 campaign ranked 40th in Collegiate Baseball's Fabulous 40 NCAA Division I Preseason poll. Kent State is the only MAC program to receive a spot in the poll.

Kent State begins the 2011 campaign with a three-game set at Georgia Tech Feb. 18-20 in Atlanta.

Click here to view CBI's entire MAC preview