NATIONAL ATTENTION
Two of the four major Division II polls have UAH ranked in the preseason. D2 Baseball News has the Chargers all the way up at No. 8 in the country, while College Baseball Lineup has the Blue and White at No. 19. UAH is currently receiving votes in both the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and NCBWA polls. Last year the Chargers reached a historic high in the polls, coming in as high as No. 4 after a sweep of West Florida. The Chargers were picked to finish third in the GSC.
 
OFFENSIVE OUTPUT
The Chargers arguably have the most potent offensive lineup in the conference and in the region. The team returns 71 percent of its offensive production from last season, in terms of hits alone. The team returns seven of its nine hitters in the lineup, including four All-Conference players and the Player of the Year in the region. Power, speed and average all highlight this group as the offensive numbers should mirror, if not improve, on the way this team started so hot last year.
 
WHO TO WATCH?
Outside of the obvious P.O.Y Chandler Brock and All-GSC performers Chase Handley, Jud Sherrill and Blake Massey, the team will hope transfer Ben Hall gives them consistency at the top of the lineup. Hall comes to UAH from Central Alabama C.C., where he helped lead the Trojans to the NJCAA National Championship, the only JUCO in Alabama to have ever done so. Hall ranked near the top of the region in home runs, walks, RBIs and games played, while adding numerous accolades to his resume. With the 3-4-5 hitters as strong as any in the country, Hall being on base  will go a long way towards a GSC Championship coming to Huntsville.
 
ON THE MOUND
Returning is Alex Aultman, the probable ace of the staff, and All-GSC reliever Luke Mould to lead the arms. Newcomers Jacob Croft and Tyler Howell will be asked to step in and give solid innings, while experienced senior Drew Eiland will also be part of the conference rotation. Look for Codey Paulson to see a lot of time on the hill, as the pitching staff will be the X-factor in how far UAH goes this season.

The Kentucky State Thorobreds will have plenty of experience in their lineup as seven starters return from last season's team that finished 14-29 overall and 11-9 in SIAC play.

Sophomore Joe Dotson is expected to be the opening-day starter when KSU visits Huntsville Saturday. Dotson finished with a 5-4 record last season with a team-best 4.50 ERA.