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The Bethel University baseball team begins its quest for back-to-back MIAC Championships this Saturday, when they kick off the 2016 campaign at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Prior to this Saturday's single, nine-inning game against the Eagles, we answer eight questions about the Royals baseball club. 

Where was Bethel picked in the 2016 MIAC Preseason Coaches' Poll?

Rank	Institution	Total
1.	Bethel (4)	92
2.	St. Thomas (4)	90
3.	Saint John's (3)	89
4.	Concordia	70
5.	Saint Mary's	64
6.	St. Olaf	48
7.	Hamline	45
8.	Augsburg	44
9.	Carleton	27
10.	Macalester	20
11.	Gustavus	16

How did the Royals finish 2015?
Bethel finished the 2015 season 30-9 overall with a 15-3 record against conference opponents. The team's 30 wins overall and 15 against agianst MIAC foes both set a program record for wins in a single season. BU's winning percentage of .769 also set a new single-season mark.

What happened in the 2015 postseason?
Despite winning the MIAC's regular season title and earning the No. 1 seed, Bethel was unable to muster a win during the 2015 MIAC Playoffs. The Royals dropped the tournament opener to St. Thomas and then lost to Saint John's on day two. Bethel had reached their first MIAC Championship game the year before and two years prior won their first-ever postseason game. 

Who are the top returners?
• Jarad Watts (2B, Sr. | 2016 D3baseball.com Preseason All-American, 2015 D3baseball.com and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Team, 2015 MIAC All-Conference, 2015 MIAC All-Defensive Team)
• Tyler Heitmann (SP, Sr. | 2015 D3baseball.com and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Team, 2015 MIAC All-Conference)
• Bryce Marquardt (CF, Jr. | 2015 MIAC All-Conference, 2015 MIAC All-Defensive Team)
• Bret Neuville (1B, Jr. | 2015 MIAC All-Defensive Team)

Who were the key losses?
• Joe Zorn (SP | 2015 MIAC Pitcher of the Year, Two-time MIAC All-Conference, 2015 D3baseball.com and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region, 13-9 career record, 3.66 career ERA, 192.0 career innings pitched, 148-24 career K-BB ratio)
• Mike Schultz (C | 2015 D3baseball.com and ABCA/Rawlings All-Region, 2015 MIAC All-Conference, .314 career AVG, .384 career OBP, .575 career SLG, 124 career hits, 36 career doubles, 15 career HR's, 87 career RBI's)
• Kelvin Minnig (RP | 2015 stats: 3.27 ERA, 3-0, 14 appearances, 5 saves, 22.0 innings pitched, 28 K's, 91 batters faced, .253 b/avg.)

Any noteworthy statistics?
• 97: Head coach Brian Raabe was awarded his first and Bethel's first MIAC Coach of the Year honor at the conclusion of 2015. Raabe, who has a career record of 97-56 (.634) heading into 2016, has the highest winning percentage of any Bethel baseball coach since 1966.
• 9: Bethel finished 2015 with a fielding percentage of .970, which ranked No. 9 nationwide and No. 1 across the conference. The team's defensive effort was rewarded with five Royals recognized to the MIAC All-Defensive Team—a new team record. 

Did You Know?
• The Royals pitched seven shutouts during the 2015 campaign, which ranked No. 6 nationally and No. 1 across the MIAC. Among the seven shutouts were four road games against league opponents.

Off the Field
• Bethel's baseball team participated in the Lakeville Polar Plunge on February 20 to raise funds for the Minnesota chapter of Special Olympics. Together 23 players raised $3,500 for Special Olympics by taking the plunge.