CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Perfect Game Baseball released their Ohio Valley Conference preview before the start of the 2023 baseball season. Each season, Perfect Game breaks down each conference including selecting a Preseason All-Conference Team.
In their 2023 release, EIU had three players selected for their preseason team including utility player
Ryan Ignoffo, shortstop
Chris Worcester and relief pitcher
Zane Robbins.
Ignoffo was the leading Panther at the plate last season, posting a team-leading .395 batting average. That ranked second in the OVC and 17th in the NCAA. He also led the Panthers in hits (73), doubles (16), home runs (14), RBI (58) and slugging percentage (.708).
In the OVC, Ignoffo finished fourth in slugging percentage, eight in RBI and 10th in total bases (131). He also finished 10th in the NCAA in hits per game with an average of 1.66. He was selected to the first team All-OVC team last season.
As a freshman, Worcester contributed quickly which helped him take home the OVC Freshman of the Year award. Worcester finished the season hitting .320 (third on the team), with 49 hits, eight doubles and 29 RBI.Â
Robbins set the single season record in saves with a total of 11 and currently is tied for fifth all-time in Eastern history in career saves. He finished last season with a 4.43 ERA with a 1-1 record and 35 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched. He was second in the OVC in saves and ranked 17th in the NCAA.
The OVC will announce their predicted order of finish and preseason team in the following weeks. Eastern Illinois baseball will start their season on Friday, Feb. 17 at Florida A&M.
