The Ashland University baseball team will look to make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament in the 2019 season as the Eagles bring back a majority of the squad that went 33-22 last season. The Eagles improved their win total by 13 last season from a difficult 2017 campaign. Head coach John Schaly is entering his 22^nd season as the AU head coach and has a 759-408-4 record with the Eagles. In 31 collegiate seasons, he is 1,122-626-7 as the second-winningest active head coach in Division II.

Offensively, the Eagles return eight of their 10 regulars from last season when they finished third in the GLIAC in runs scored and led the conference in doubles. Junior designated hitter Carson Mittermaier should prove to be a force in the middle of the order after hitting .386 last season with four homers, 50 RBI and 12 doubles. He was named to the NCBWA Preseason All-Midwest Region team after being an All-GLIAC first team selection last season. The Eagles should expect production from a deep lineup that will include some impact newcomers joining an already potent group.

All four weekend starters return to the pitching staff, which adds depth from the inclusion of several newcomers. Senior right-hander Devin Peters will anchor the staff after going 8-5 with a 4.12 ERA in 89 2/3 innings last season. He is joined by junior right-hander Chance Hitchcock (6-5, 4.50 ERA, 86 innings), sophomore righty Josh Stover (1-6, 5.47 ERA, 51 innings) and senior right-hander Chris Slavik (4-2, 4.34 ERA, 58 innings). Peters was an NCWBA Preseason All-Region choice.