Richmond, Va.- The Elon University baseball team was selected fifth in the CAA baseball preseason poll released by the conference Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 7. This is Elon's highest projected finish in the conference since the Phoenix was picked fourth in 2022.
 
The CAA coaches voted the Phoenix fifth in the preseason poll, their highest projected finish since the 2022 season. This selection comes off a second-place regular season finish last season and an appearance in the CAA Tournament semi-finals.
 
Northeastern was chosen as the top team earning eight first place votes. The Huskies were followed by UNCW and CAA newcomer, Campbell. Charleston was selected fourth in the poll followed by Elon and then Delaware. William & Mary is projected seventh, followed by Stony Brook and Hofstra. The poll rounded out with North Carolina A&T, Towson and Monmouth completing the list.
 
Justin Mitrovich was selected as a preseason All-CAA selection following an outstanding freshman campaign. The All-Rookie selection finished 2023 with a record of 7-4, and an ERA of 3.68 in 63.2 innings pitched. Mitrovich was named a second-team Freshman All-American by both D1 Baseball and Baseball America last season. The Yardley, Pa. native  gave the Phoenix a freshman all-American for the third straight season following Alex Iadisernia (2021) and Shea Sprague (2022).
 
Following the selection of Mitrovich, Elon has now had a starting pitcher selected to the preseason All-CAA team for seven consecutive seasons.
 
Sophomore Ryan Sprock was chosen as an honorable mention selection in the CAA preseason release. Sprock earned both CAA Honorable Mention and was a member of the All-Rookie team during his freshman season with the Phoenix. Sprock finished the season slashing .313/.418/.551 and drove in 38 runs. On the mound, Sprock made 14 starts for the Phoenix and struck out 56 batters while walking just 16.
 
The Phoenix will open their season next Friday against the Navy Midshipmen at Latham Park at 4 P.M. Tickets sales are available one hour prior to first pitch at Latham Park or for more information, visit ElonTickets.com or call the Elon Ticket Office at 336-278-6750.
 
2024 CAA BASEBALL PRESEASON PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Northeastern (8 first-place votes) 118
2. UNCW (4 first-place votes) 110
3. Campbell 103
4. Charleston 89
5. Elon 77
6. Delaware 71
7. William & Mary 65
8. Stony Brook 48
9. Hofstra 47
10. North Carolina A&T 30
11. Towson 22
12. Monmouth 12
 
2024 PRESEASON ALL-CAA BASEBALL TEAM
C - Grant Knipp, Campbell
IF - Jac Croom, UNCW                                
IF - Joey Loynd, Delaware      
IF - Tyler MacGregor, Northeastern
IF - Cole Mathis, Charleston  
IF - Tanner Thach, UNCW  
OF - Lawson Harrill, Campbell
OF - Cam Maldonado, Northeastern
OF - Trevor Marsh, UNCW
OF - Mike Sirota, Northeastern
UT - Evan Fox, Stony Brook
DH - Alex Lane, Northeastern
SP - Aiven Cabral, Northeastern
SP - Nate Knowles, William & Mary
SP - Justin Mitrovich, Elon
SP - Zane Taylor, UNCW
RP - Jake Gigliotti, Northeastern
RP - Carter Lovasz, William & Mary
 
CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Mike Sirota, Northeastern
 
Honorable Mention: Canyon Brown, C, North Carolina A&T; Casey Bishop, IF, Towson; Bryce Frederick, IF, Towson; Dylan Palmer, IF, Hofstra; Brett Paulsen, IF, Stony Brook; Luke Wood, IF, Charleston; Matt Brown-Eiring, OF, Stony Brook; Steve Harrington, OF, Hofstra; Trotter Harlan, IF/OF, Charleston; Will Kennedy, OF, Hofstra; Bryce Greenly, DH/P, Delaware; John Newton, DH, UNCW; Ryan Sprock, IF/P, Elon; Chance Daquila, SP, Campbell; RJ Sales, SP, UNCW; Wyatt Scotti, SP, Northeastern; Connor Kane, RP, UNCW