FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) announced the 2026 MIAA Baseball Preseason Poll following a vote of the league’s eight head coaches.
Defending regular-season and tournament champion Adrian College was selected as the preseason favorite, with Kalamazoo College and Alma College rounding out the top three as the conference prepares for the upcoming spring season.
1. Adrian College – 48 points (6 first-place votes)
Adrian enters the 2026 season after a 2025 campaign that included a 16-5 MIAA record and the program’s 15th regular-season title. The Bulldogs also captured the 2025 MIAA Baseball Tournament for their 11th tournament championship in program history before advancing to the regional championship round of the NCAA Baseball Tournament. Adrian finished the season with a 30-18 overall record.
The Bulldogs return several key contributors, led by senior pitcher Jaxon Clark, who earned First Team All-MIAA honors last season. Sophomore utility player Jake Burns also returns after earning First Team All-MIAA recognition during his first collegiate season. Two-time All-MIAA infielder Nic Bruder is back for his junior year following a Second Team selection in 2025.
Head coach Craig Rainey was voted the 2025 MIAA Baseball Coach of the Year. Rainey enters his 33rd season leading his alma mater.
2. Kalamazoo College – 43 points (2 first-place votes)
Kalamazoo finished the 2025 season with a 12-9 MIAA record and a 28-16 overall mark. The Hornets return a veteran lineup anchored by multiple All-MIAA and All-Region performers.
Junior catcher Caleb Moore returns after earning First Team All-MIAA honors and being named to both the D3Baseball.com All-Region 7 Second Team and the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region 7 Second Team. Senior outfielder/pitcher Logan Lockhart also returns after earning First Team All-MIAA recognition and being named to the D3Baseball.com Team of the Week on April 23. Three-time All-MIAA catcher/infielder Ryar Rinehart rounds out the returning core after earning Second Team All-MIAA honors and All-Region recognition in 2025.
3. Alma College – 35 points
Alma posted a 14-7 record in MIAA play during the 2025 season and finished 23-20 overall.
The Scots return three All-MIAA performers in senior pitcher Kenny Fistler, sophomore infielder Giuseppe Sapienza, and senior outfielder/pitcher Cameron Bleasdale. Each earned Second Team All-MIAA recognition last season.
4. Calvin University – 30 points
Calvin finished the 2025 campaign with a 15-6 MIAA record and a 23-19 overall mark.
The Knights return infielder and graduate student Gabe Bonemer, who earned First Team All-MIAA honors last season. Other key returners include senior outfielder Nate Graham and junior outfielder Ryan Tschirhart.
5. Hope College – 27 points
Hope finished the 2025 season with a 7-14 MIAA record and a 12-27 overall mark.
The Flying Dutchmen return sophomore outfielder Corbin Bennetts after he earned Second Team All-MIAA honors during his first collegiate season. Additional returners include senior first baseman Cade Seabaugh, and senior outfielders Brenden Collins and Jace DeMann.
6. Albion College – 20 points
Albion concluded the 2025 season with a 10-11 MIAA record and a 17-19 overall mark.
The Britons return two-time All-MIAA outfielder Evan Schuster for his senior season after earning Second Team honors and being named to the D3Baseball.com Team of the Week on April 9. Sophomore catchers Gavin White and Carter Stahl also headline the Albion roster.
Matt Rix has officially been named head coach of the Albion program after serving as interim last season. Rix previously spent 12 seasons as an assistant on the Britons’ staff.
7. Trine University – 12 points
Trine finished the 2025 campaign with a 5-15 MIAA record and an 11-27 overall mark.
The Thunder return senior outfielder Cole Schmidthuber, who earned First Team All-MIAA honors last season. Junior third baseman Cole Temple and junior catcher Nathan Gilmet also return as key contributors.
8. The University of Olivet – 9 points
Olivet rounds out the preseason poll after finishing the 2025 season with a 4-16 MIAA record and a 9-29 overall mark.
The Comets return senior pitcher Bryan Carney, who earned Second Team All-MIAA honors last season. Additional top returners include junior infielder Jack Friesen, senior catcher Mikey Kuzara, and junior infielder Austin Alflen.
Up Ahead
Conference play begins March 27 with Adrian hosting Alma, Kalamazoo hosting Trine, Olivet hosting Hope, and Albion hosting Calvin. The 2026 MIAA Baseball Tournament is scheduled for May 6–8, with the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament opening with regional play May 15–17.