SALISBURY, N.C. (Jan. 22) – After making its 20th appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2024, the University of Mount Olive baseball program was voted fourth in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason Southeast Region Poll, which was announced by the organization on Wednesday.

The Trojans finished the 2024 campaign with a 39-18 overall record while posting a 20-9 mark in Conference Carolinas play. Mount Olive made deep runs in the Conference Carolinas and NCAA Tournament behind a senior class of 19 student-athletes. UMO finished last season nationally-ranked at No. 25 alongside four other Southeast Region teams.

Catawba (46-17) was voted as the preseason favorite in the region with five first-place nods following a trip to Cary in 2024 and claiming the Southeast Region Championship. North Greenville (41-14) garnered the remaining six first-place votes and was slotted second after a three straight Conference Carolinas regular season titles. Young Harris (41-15) was picked third following an NCAA Tournament appearance last year and is set to begin its second year in the Conference Carolinas. Mount Olive (39-18) was selected fourth overall and Georgia College (37-22) of the Peach Belt rounded out the poll.

The NCBWA Preseason All-Region, All-American, and National Poll are set to be released next week.

Opening Day for the Trojans will begin in the Sunshine State on Friday, January 31, in a non-conference game against Lynn at 2 p.m.

NCBWA Preseason Southeast Region  Poll (First-Place Votes)
1. Catawba (5)
2. North Greenville (6)
3. Young Harris
4. Mount Olive
5. Georgia College
6. UNC Pembroke
7. Lander
8. Wingate
9. Lincoln Memorial
T10. Columbus State
T10. Georgia Southwestern
Others receiving votes: Barton, Coker, Lenoir-Rhyne