Sherrard and Rockridge finished tied atop WRMJ’s TRAC West preseason baseball coaches poll.
The Rockets finished four points ahead of Sherrard, the runner-up pick. Riverdale (third), Mercer County (fourth), Orion (fifth), and Monmouth-Roseville (sixth) rounded out the poll. Rockridge received four first-place votes, while Sherrard and Riverdale also each picked up one first-place vote.
Five of the six coaches in the TRAC West participated, so teams were placed based on their average ranking. Coaches ranked their five opponents in the division 1-5 without ranking their own team.
Sherrard and Rockridge each received two first-place votes.
The poll results are below. The number in parentheses represents how many first-place votes a team received.
2025 Preseason TRAC West Baseball Coaches Poll
| Rank | Team | Average Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | Sherrard (2) | 1.5 |
| T1 | Rockridge (2) | 1.5 |
| 3 | Riverdale | 2.75 |
| 4 | Mercer County | 3.5 |
| 5 | Monmouth-Roseville | 4 |
| 6 | Orion | 4.5 |
Team Capsules
Sherrard Tigers
Head Coach: Nick Basala (5th season at Sherrard, 14th overall)
2024 Record: 22-4, 11-0 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional semifinal to Monmouth-Roseville 6-4
Rockridge Rockets
Head Coach: Justin Chisholm (2nd season)
2024 Record: 14-17, 5-7 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A sectional semifinal to Illini West 11-2
Riverdale Rams
Head Coach: Derek Peterson (5th season)
2024 Record: 16-9, 9-3 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A sectional semifinal to North Boone 8-3
Mercer County Golden Eagles
Head Coach: Jacob Harrison (7th season)
2024 Record: 9-15
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional quarterfinal to Monmouth-Roseville 6-5
Monmouth-Roseville Titans
Head Coach: Mike Huston (1st season)
2024 Record: 14-14, 5-5 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional final to Rockridge 7-2
Orion Chargers
Head Coach: Larry Anderson (2nd season)
2024 Record: 7-15, 4-6 TRAC West
Postseason: Lost in 2A regional semifinal to IVC 4-3
WRMJ’s coverage of the TRAC is presented by:
- Midwest Bank, with locations that include Aledo, Andalusia, Monmouth, and Moline
- Local COUNTRY Financial representatives Tracy Bigham, Jason Potter, and John Waugh in Aledo, Brent Bigham in Edgington, and Julie Hessler in Orion.
- Breedlove’s Sporting Goods in Kewanee