A pre-season poll has given the Wartburg baseball team added motivation for this season. Despite winning a share of their 11th straight Iowa Conference title in 2007 the Knights were picked to finish second in the coaches pre-season poll. In fact, Wartburg received only one first place vote.
Coach Joel Holst says the players took notice. "It motivated them, and I’m sure it will continue to do that," Holst says, "it very much is a slap in the face." Holst says the other schools are probably tired of Wartburg winning the title and it will provide motivation to his team.
The Knights battled through as rash of injuries and finished the pre conference portion of their schedule with a record of 4-8. Holst says they other day they had their fifth M-R-I, something he says doesn’t happen to most football teams. Holst says fortunately, most of the injuries haven’t been serious.
Wartburg opened the Iowa Conference race by sweeping a three game series at pre-season favorite Luther and they will open a series at home on Friday night against Loras. Holst says Loras has a good ballclub and has some of the better position players in the conference.