SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Sophomore infielder Jake Schaffner and senior left-handed pitcher Nolan Johnson have been named to the Summit League Baseball Players and Pitchers to Watch list, the league office announced on Wednesday morning.
Schaffner, who was named to the All-Summit League First Team last season, recorded a team-best .337 batting average and .436 on-base percentage last season to go along with a team-high 64 hits. Johnson appeared in six games last season with a career-best five starts and registered a 2.73 ERA before an injury sidelined him March.
As a team, the Bison were picked fourth in the Summit League Preseason Poll with 17 total points and one first place vote. Oral Roberts was picked first with 22 points and three first place votes.
The full Summit League release can be viewed here.
NDSU will open the 2025 season at No. 21 Dallas Baptist on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
2025 Summit League Baseball Preseason Poll
| Place | Team | Points (1st) | 2024 Record |
| 1. | Oral Roberts | 22 (3) | 27-32-1 (13-15-1) |
| 2. | St. Thomas | 19 (1) | 22-24 (16-10) |
| 3. | Omaha | 18 (1) | 18-32-1 (16-13-1) |
| 4. | North Dakota State | 17 (1) | 20-30-1 (14-12-1) |
| 5. | South Dakota State | 8 | 20-29 (11-17) |
| 6. | Northern Colorado | 6 | 16-38-1 (13-16-1) |
https://gobison.com/news/2025/2/12/schaffner-and-johnson-named-to-summit-league-baseball-players-to-watch-list.aspx