(Logo courtesy IWU sports)

By WJBC Staff

NAPERVILLE - Illinois Wesleyan University has been picked to win the 2013 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) baseball and softball titles, according to preseason coaches polls conducted today.

The Titans (31-17, 12-9) won the baseball poll with 47 points including five first-place votes after an NCAA postseason appearance in 2012.

Defending conference champion North Park (32-14, 14-7) placed second in the poll with 40 points including two first place votes. The Vikings' 2012 title was their second-straight and first outright since 1990. North Park's CCIW tournament title was also its first since 1990.

Carthage (21-17, 9-12) finished third in the poll with 31 points while North Central (20-19, 9-12) was fourth with 30 points including one first place vote.

Augustana (25-17, 11-10) placed fifth with 28 points while Wheaton (22-18, 11-10) was sixth with 23 points. Elmhurst (23-20, 11-10) and Millikin (12-28, 7-14) rounded out the poll with 18 and seven points respectively.

CCIW softball

The Titans (39-8, 11-3) won the poll with 46 points including six first place votes after sharing the CCIW title with Carthage (37-10, 11-3) last season, who placed second in the poll with 44 points and two first place votes. Both teams advanced to the NCAA's postseason in 2012.

Augustana (25-13, 6-8) and North Central (21-18, 5-9) finished tied for third in the poll with 33 points while Millikin (23-18, 9-5) was fifth with 29 points.

Elmhurst (25-16, 7-7) placed sixth with 16 points while Wheaton (22-18, 4-10) and North Park (22-18, 3-11) rounded out the poll with 15 and eight points respectively.

Voting is done by the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin's head softball coaches. Each coach votes for the seven other schools in the conference in order of predicted finish. Points are assigned in reverse order of voting (seven points for first, six for second, etc.). Coaches may not vote for their own teams.