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| Methodist and Randolph-Macon met in the Ashland Regional in 2025 with Methodist eliminating RMC 5-4. Both teams will meet in the season finale for both in late April. d3photography.com photo by Mike Atherton |
By Jim Dixon, D3sports.com
Region 6 has expanded their footprint with a shakeup in a Texas Conference. Trinity (Texas) and Southwestern are now in the region as members of the Southern Athletic Association and the Trinity Tigers, a perennial top team nationally, is now a top team in the South. Lynchburg is playing their best baseball this decade and conference mate Randolph-Macon is keeping pace. These three teams have been to the DIII World Series most recently from Region 6 but the team that has sparked the imagination of possibilities none of these three. It is Centre. The Colonels has a team reminiscent of past champions.
Playoff teams from last year also rank high in our "best of" list. Belhaven, Emory and Maryville (Tenn.) are all generating more than token support as the best teams in the region. Our final top team in Shenandoah. Since breaking out in 2009, the Hornets have been to the Regional round more often than any other Region 6 team except for new member Trinity.
New Faces
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| Since Patrick Robey is making the jump to the college rank as the new head coach for the Belhaven Blazers. Belhaven athletics photo |
Billy McLaughlin, Averett: Averett named McLaughlin as its head coach, replacing Kenny Fleming. A longtime assistant with the program, McLaughlin had served as interim head coach since September. McLaughlin, who played for the Cougars from 2013-16, had served an assistant for Averett since 2019. "I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Averett baseball program as head coach," McLaughlin said. "I also want to thank former head coach Kenny Fleming for giving me my start in coaching. I'm excited to guide this group forward and continue building on the foundation that has been set." McLaughlin officially takes over a program coming off the best season in recent history after going 20-16 this past spring.
Patrick Robey, Belhaven: Robey has been named the ninth head coach in Belhaven program history. Robey joins Belhaven from Madison Central High School where he has had success in 10 years at the helm of the Jags' program. Prior to his tenure at Madison Central, Robey was the head coach at Lafayette County High School in Oxford for three seasons leading the Commodores to two District Championships and was twice named District Coach of the Year. Robey began his head coach career at South Panola High School in Batesville where he spent 11 years leading the Tigers "I'm looking forward to building relationships with our current players, securing the roster, building a staff and everything that running a quality program entails", said Coach Robey. "Baseball is baseball, the relationships are what matter the most. I am anxious to start helping these young men continue their athletic, spiritual, and academic journeys."
Steve Hucke, Johnson and Wales-Charlotte: Hucke was picked to lead the baseball team in its inaugural season in 2025-26. Hucke comes to Charlotte from Brevard, where he's served as a volunteer assistant coach since 2019. He helped lead the Tornados to three consecutive 20 win seasons and a first ever appearance in a conference championship game in the school's NCAA era. His primary responsibilities were as a hitting, defense, and third base coach. Hucke is ready to embrace the challenge of building the Wildcat baseball program. "I am excited to be a part of the Johnson & Wales University Athletic Department! I would like to thank Trudi Lacey, Director of Athletics for giving me the opportunity to usher in a new era here as the head baseball coach and guiding a new baseball program! I am eager to get started! Go Wildcats!"
Spencer Martin, Methodist: Replacing Hall of Fame head coach Tom Austin will be Martin. He enters his 16th overall season after serving as the top assistant for MU legend Austin for the last 15 years. Before being named the interim coach, his duties included serving as the pitching coach, head coach of the developmental team, and coordinating the Monarchs’ recruiting efforts. As the pitching coach, Martin has coached one ABCA All-American, six ABCA All-South Region, 14 USA South All-Conference, three USA South Pitchers of the Year, three USA South All-Tournament Team Pitchers, three USA South Rookie Pitchers of the Year, and two ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winners.
Brett Lindsay, Regent: After a nationwide search, Regent announced the hiring of Lindsay as the Royals' first ever head baseball coach. While at UA-Rich Mountain, Lindsay was responsible for the outfielders and was the batting coach. In addition, he was heavily involved in recruiting and the implementation and execution of practice plans. Prior to his time in Arkansas, Lindsay was an assistant at his alma-mater Eastern Mennonite and Christopher Newport. "I want to thank the search committee for trusting me with this amazing opportunity", said Lindsay. "The 757 is rich in baseball history and with the University's move to the NCAA and, specifically the Coast-To-Coast Conference, I am confident that we will build a successful competitive program, while also representing the values of the University. The last few years of my baseball life have been filled with traveling and finding the next destination. I am excited to be back in Virginia and thankful for this opportunity to call Regent home."
Rob Schrier, Rhodes: Schrier was named the Rhodes head coach following the end of the 2025 season. Schrier moves to the head position after spending the last 21 years on the Rhodes staff, the last 20 as the associate head coach. "I am honored to be the next head baseball coach at Rhodes College," said Schrier. "I want to thank President Collins, Director of Athletics Jim Duncan, and the senior leadership team for entrusting me with this great responsibility. I'm grateful to former head coach Jeff Cleanthes for allowing me to share his dugout for the past 22 years. His impact on the Rhodes baseball program has been immeasurable; the wins, SAA titles, and NCAA Regional appearances pale in comparison to the culture and family atmosphere he has built around Stauffer Field at Lainoff Stadium. As an alumnus, Rhodes has always been special to me. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the next generation of Rhodes student-athletes."
Tyler Cox, Southern Virginia: Southern Virginia officials announced the addition of Cox as head coach of Southern Virginia in the off season. Cox takes charge of the program after longtime coach Jerry Schlegelmilch announced his retirement at the end of the spring season. He returns as an alumnus and successful student-athlete of Southern Virginia. Following his playing career with the Knights, he played professionally for the Santa Fe Fuego in New Mexico, helping them to a Pecos League Championship. Most recently, Cox served as an assistant coach at Washington and Lee for two seasons, and was previously an assistant coach at Virginia Military Institute from 2020 to 2023. This marks Cox's second stint on the Knights' coaching staff, as he previously served as an assistant coach from 2013 to 2020. "Coming back to my home means everything," said Cox. "There's a history of winning here and there's a history of putting out really good young men through the university's mission. It's aligned with the things I'm looking to do, which is to gather, lift, and launch individuals into successful careers."
Key Games
Regent at Eastern Mennonite, February 11th - Regent opens their program at the school where their head coach played his college baseball. The result might not propel either team to greater glory but with the number of schools closing, it is good to see growth in DIII baseball.
Chicago at Centre, February 14th - Chicago makes the trip to Danville, Kentucky to open a three game set in the season opener for both. Which team takes the series will have quality wins to bolster their NPI. Chicago will need it more since the UAA does not get an auto bid. Centre will benefit from playing a regional participant from 2025 to gauge where they stand nationally.
Middlebury at Emory, March 7th - This doubleheader are the first games for Emory against another team that made the 2025 NCAA tournament. A third of Emory's season would be in the books and Middlebury will just be starting theirs. After this doubleheader, we will have a better idea how either team will fare on the national stage.
Methodist at Greensboro, April 3rd, April 4th - The two top contenders for the USA South regular season crown meet for the first time with a doubleheader to follow. A sweep by either team will put them in the driver's seat for not only the regular season title but a better path to the NCAA playoffs whether with the conference auto bid or an at-large selection.
Trinity (Texas) at Centre, May 2nd - This is the final game for both before the SAA tournament. The top seed should be on the line as they play a doubleheader to end their three-game series on the Centre's home field.
Conference Previews
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| Mary Washington's Conner Hassan competed in 26 total games, pitching in 15 of them out of the bullpen. He broke the program all-time saves record (11) and tied the single-season record (6) last year. Mary Washington athletics photo |
Coast to Coast Athletic Conference: Mary Washington (3-1, 25-13) will be in rebuilding mode with three returning offensive starters and three key pitchers. The rebuilding plan starts with 1B/OF Keegan Mahoney, a junior who has transferred from Richard Bland College where he hit .313 with 11 doubles and six home runs in 41 games. The returning batting stars are all in their junior year and are lead by Connor Hassan (.396, 13 RBI). While the offense gets into the swing of things, it will be an experienced pitching staff led by Gavin Riley (4-2, 5.02 ERA, 30K) and Matthew Boyd (3-1, 3.24 ERA, 21K) who will be the key to victory. Hassan (0-1, 6 saves, 4.11 ERA, 26K) will be available for closing duties with along with fellow seniors Ryan Northup (1-0, 1 Save, 3.63 ERA, 13K) and Jackson Beale (0-0, 1.29 ERA, 7K).
Christopher Newport (0-4, 21-18) did not win a conference contest last year until the C2C tournament where they won the first game against Mary Washington, only to fall to Salisbury in the title tilt. Of the teams in the C2C, the Captains have the most returning starters and should score and pitch well. Key this year will be to avoid the health hiccups from 2025. The preseason favorite for C2C Player of the Year, first baseman Aaron Maxie (.411, 44 RBI), led the league in hitting and should only improve with the experience from 2025. He will be joined with the brothers Benedict, Jake Benedict (.395, 27 RBI, 18 SB) and Sam Benedict (.295, 32 RBI). Senior pitcher, Jackson Baird (2-2, 3.88 ERA, 44K) will lead an all senior pitching rotation.
The C2C will see a fourth and fifth team in 2026 with Regent and Johnson and Wales-Charlotte starting up their programs. New Regent head coach Brett Lindsay has built a roster of 44 players and they will play the first game of their new program at Eastern Mennonite on February 11th. Nine days later, history will be made on February 20th when Regent hosts Southern Virginia for their first ever home game. Regent is in the process of moving to Division III from the NCCAA. Johnson & Wales begins a new era in 2026 with the addition of baseball. Head coach Steve Hucke will lead the Wildcats in their inaugural campaign. The Wildcats have a young group mixed in with some experienced veterans and are picked to be finish fourth, ahead of Regent, in the Coast 2 Coast preseason poll.
Predicted Champion: Salisbury
Collegiate Conference of the South: In 2023 Maryville (Tenn.) (15-3, 33-14) won their first 12 games and put the program on the map. They followed that up with a 30-win season in 2024 but did not make the Regional round until last year. Expectations are now high for the Scots in 2026. This season, the team will be younger but experienced enough to make waves. The good news is the return of the CCS Player of the Year Colin Dunworth (.346, 7 HR, 37 RBI, 12 SB) and other seniors like Brayden Evans (.315, 22 RBI) and Frank Derner (.313, 37 RBI). On the mound they might miss five game winner Nic Mirabella but coming back are Caleb Jinks (6-3 Record, 4.57 ERA, 43K) and Kyle Timko (6-3, 4.06 ERA, 60K). When the game is on the line, Xavier Resto (5-0 Record, 3 Saves, 4.58 ERA, 30K) will be in the bullpen.
Belhaven (13-5, 34-15) also made the NCAA Regional round with an at-large selection. They made their best of their first appearance in the NCAA's, sweeping through their regional into the Super Regional round but failing to advance against Denison. This feat might be hard to repeat as six of the eight All-CCS players were seniors in 2025. Returning in 2026 for a second year are Nick Thornton (.423, 37 RBI), a LSU-Shreveport transfer, and freshman reliever Lane Alack (2-4, 5 Saves, 4.72 ERA, 56K). Ace duties will be transferred from graduated Kade May to Colton Sylvester (7-2, 4.45 ERA, 44K). To keep pace with the conference champions, the recruiting class will need to provide immediate help.
Like the rest of the top teams in the CCS, Piedmont (12-6, 27-15) will be younger than 2025. A top pitching staff has been a mark of the Lions program and the coaching staff will have to lean on a younger pitching staff this year. The sophomore class will have top stars in Carter Few (.367, 30 RBI) and CCS Rookie of the Year Ben Connelly (.346, 30RBI, 14 SB). They will have graduate student Cole Ellis (.314, 29 RBI, 13 SB) as a role model. When he gets his 42nd hit, he will become just the third Piedmont player to reach 200 career hits in a career.
LaGrange (10-8, 19-23), Huntingdon (7-11, 23-21), Covenant (5-13, 19-22) and Asbury (1-17, 7-28) combined for five wins in the 2025 CCS tournament. Good news for Huntingdon, they earned four of those wins as they earned the auto bid that was granted this season to the group who broke off from the USA South following the 2022 season. Brent Cadenhead (.279, 17 RBI; 3-2, 5.34 ERA, 19K), the CCS tournament MVP and All-CCS performer, will be back in 2026. A repeat performance by the Hawks is unexpected but this is why the game is played. Out of the bottom half of the standings, the team with the best chance to move up is La Grange. Seniors Curt Bonner (.365, 6 HR, 32 RBI) and Jackson McElvy (.400, 22 RBI) will be back at the plate and Josiah Chiesa (4-5, 3.13 ERA, 61K) will back on the mound for his sophomore season.
Predicted Champion: Maryville
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| Logan Tapman became a fulltime starter in 2025 and responded with a 5-1 record and a spot in the rotation in 2026. D3photography.com photo by Mike Atherton |
Old Dominion Athletic Conference: Lynchburg (18-4, 41-9) is enjoying quite the decade. Two World Series appearances and a National Championship have the Hornet fans expecting more - making the biggest obstacle for 2026 the standards and expectations they have set for themselves over the past five seasons. Looking at the players returning from last season and the incoming freshmen and transfers class, Lynchburg will be in most ball games. ODAC Pitcher of the Year Tyler Kaltreider (8-1, 2.68 ERA, 95K) will be joined Nick Mattfield (8-1, 3.15 ERA, 58K) and Logan Tapman (5-1, 2.61 ERA, 49K) for a top five pitching rotation. Outfielder Quinn Madden (2024 Stats: .333, 11 HR, 68 RBI), an All-American in 2024, is back after missing 2025. While the coaching staff points out Madden as a key piece for the 2026 season roster, it is also the swan song for the infield duo of Benton Jones (.373, 47 RBI, 23 SB) and Brandon Garcia (.286, 33 RBI). Whether it is senior leadership with the bat or on the mound, Lynchburg looks as tough a team as they were in their championship season.
If the senior class is the strength of Lynchburg, Randolph-Macon (15-7, 31-17) can match them. The Yellow Jacket's senior class has amassed 96 wins while making three Regionals, one Super-Regional and one College World Series appearance. Carter Schmitt (.379, 48 RBI) has been the RMC's most consistent hitter and has a chance to break RMC's career hit record. He is complimented in the lineup by Jon Quici (.303, 29 RBI) and Zach Wernoski (.268, 20 RBI) who have been regulars in the lineup over the last two years. Add CJ Chatterton (.354, 22 RBI, 20 SB) and Jack Bowles (.325, 30 RBI, 11 SB) and you have an offensive lineup that can deliver wins against anyone. Tops in the rotation are William Wian (6-2, 3.26 ERA, 64K) and Peter Phillips (1-2, 5.08 ERA, 49K).
Bridgewater (Va.) (14-7-1, 26-16-1) finished the 2025 season second in batting and second in pitching among the ODAC teams but this did not result in success in the postseason. An early exit kept them out of the final round of the ODAC tournament and a NPI ranking of 70 kept them from an at-large bid. The Eagles' placed two players on the D3baseball 2026 Preseason All-American team in designated hitter Zack Chadwell (.392, 16 HR, 59 RBI) and second baseman Nick Stavros (.435, 38 RBI). While Bridgewater has the best top of the order, it will be the bottom of the order that will have to produce to make the Eagles a Regional participant for the first time since 2014.
It has been fifteen years since Shenandoah (14-8, 28-17) made it to the DIII World Series despite having powerhouse teams nearly every season. The 2026 roster is also stocked and deep. Shenandoah batted a league leading .322 in 2025 and the same output can be expected in 2026. Tops in the lineup are D3baseball.com All-American Jaime Padilla (.418, 5 HR, 42 RBI, 52 Runs, 14 SB) and Kyle Garrett (.378, 31 RBI, 47 Runs, 19 SB). For the Hornets to get atop of Lynchburg and Randolph-Macon, they will need to improve their pitching. One part of the staff that is doing well are the relievers with the likes of Liam Stewart (3-1, 2 Saves, 2.03 ERA, 55K).
Roanoke (11-10-1, 19-21-1), Averett (11-11, 20-16) and Hampden-Sydney all made the backend of the ODAC tournament. Roanoke will find it hard to contend for the top of the ODAC with plenty of new faces in the lineup. Adding that all three All-ODAC honorees did not return in a Maroon uniform, it could be a long season for Roanoke. They established the Eddie Kaufman Legacy Award with junior outfielder Dylan Bonzon selected to carry on Eddie's legacy and wear No. 3. Averett will have a lot of new faces but a quartet of transfers come in with a lot of experience. The Cougars pitchers will have to attack the strike zone and play good defense behind them to rack up wins. With a loss of power due to graduation, they replaced it with a deeper lineup.
Hampden-Sydney (10-12, 19-23) is optimistic about their chances this season. They have added depth across the infield that has significantly raised the talent floor and have some arms that have made jumps from last year to now. While the Tigers will line up with any team in the ODAC offensively and defensively, pitching will be their Achilles heel. The right side of the defense holds the top offensive players. Right fielder Chase Sanford (.382, 26 RBI) is the most athletic guy on the team with a work ethic to match. Jase Howell (.382, 26 RBI) will be the starting first baseman. On record lookout is reliever Alex-Fitz Hugh (4-3, 2 Saves, 2.80 ERA, 46K) who is in reach of the school record for career saves, needing five. Ferrum, who also made the ODAC tournament as the final seed, has moved up a division to play D2 baseball.
Missing the ODAC tournament were Guilford (8-14, 22-16), Virginia Wesleyan (8-14, 12-18), Eastern Mennonite (7-15, 13-23) and Washington and Lee (6-16, 13-17). The Quakers getting Jonathan Sendziak, a transfer from UNC Greensboro, was huge in helping the pitching rotation fall into place. With Tanner Royals (3-2, 6.22 ERA, 38K) pitching weekends in his first full year as a starter the rotation is shaping up. Like the pitching, the defense has a chance to be a strength with veterans in key positions. It will be the offense that dictate how well the team does. Three of the ODAC's top-10 returning bats in Rylan Smith (.384, 38 RBI), Skyler Dark (.359, 22 RBI, 47 Runs) and Ryne Rodrigues (.367, 31 RBI) return, supplemented by a bunch of sophomores who will have the chance to seize a roll.
Predicted Champion: Lynchburg
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| Centre utility player Ben Prather is one of the favorites to be named the best DIII Player of the Year when awards are handed out in May. Centre athletics photo |
Southern Athletic Association: Millsaps (13-5, 29-15) will find it hard to repeat as they graduated 14 guys that contributed on the field and on the mound to take the Majors to the NCAA Regionals. The fall season showed some positives in the freshmen class and there is potential to build on last year's success. Heading into the season, these freshmen will be asked to take starting roles, vacated by the large graduation class. Shortstop EJ Ousley (.269, 31 RBI) is the teams most outstanding player and also a leader on the field.
New to the SAA will be Trinity (Texas) (27-3, 41-10). One of four teams in the remade SAA to make the NCAA Playoff, they advanced the farthest, making the eight team championship round. Even the Tiger coaching staff was amazed at all the losses they overcame in 2025 but 2026 will be a different story. The number of players leaving in 2025 was smaller and expectations are another trip to the DIII World Series. The strength of the program is in their bullpen. Give the Tigers a lead late and they will hold the lead as their two top All-Region relievers, Will Taylor (7-0, 2 Saves, 2.37 ERA, 36K) and Brandon Morio (7-1, 2.77 ERA, 48 K), accounted for 16 wins. Outfielder Kaleb Woodward (.319, 35 RBI, 18 SB) is the top returner on offense. No matter what the season brings, you know there will be plenty of wins as Tim Scannell is the fifth winningest head coach in the game today.
Centre (12-6, 32-11), after many years where they managed multiple 17 win seasons, they exploded onto the national stage in 2023 with a 28 win season. Then followed it up with 30+ wins in each of the last two seasons and consecutive playoff appearances. Expect this to continue into the 2026 season as the Colonels return every at-bat from 2025 and all but 5 innings pitched. It will be senior leadership around the infield and at catcher. Add a supporting cast with numerous experienced sophomores and juniors and you got all the ingredients for a Championship run. The current run for Centre started with the arrival of 2026 D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Ben Prather (.377, 41 RBI, 27 SB; 8-0, 2.62 ERA, 63K). While this is a team game, Prather, an All-American for the last two years as a utility player is a dynamic player and has the team looking for the top prize. It is not a one dimensional offense with outfielder Ayden Lohr (.352, 11 HR, 34 RBI, 12 SB) and catcher Evan Weyler (.323, 35 RBI, 12 SB) proving dangerous with a bat. On the mound, Harrison Cowdrey (5-4, 2.51 ERA, 70K) led the pitching staff in starts (13) and Zach Heavern (7-1, 1 Save, 2.78 ERA, 62K) led the team in appearances (20). Both are back.
Rhodes (9-9, 27-18) took the top prize in the SAA tournament when rains came and washed out the finals. As the only undefeated team, they earned a pass into the NCAA playoffs, joining at-large selections Millsaps and Centre. Key losses for the Lynx are pitcher Zac Sohosky who opted for the portal, pitcher Mick Arney (SAA Reliever of the Year) and outfielder Ben Burkhart (All-American) to graduation. Five starters on offense return with a veteran infield. Ben Daniel (.322, 19 RBI, 14 SB) will patrol the outfield and is a top pitcher as well. How Rhodes performs will rely on the 23 man recruiting class.
Between the teams at the bottom of the 2025 standings, only Berry (7-11, 20-22) advanced to the double elimination championship round, exiting early. Berry will return senior Riley Ohls (.392 BA, 7 HR, 70 RBI) as their best player. Oglethorpe (7-11, 21-20) and Sewanee (6-12, 20-20) lost their best-of-three series. They need only to look at the rise of Centre who had one of the truly great recruiting classes in 2023 and is enjoying the results. If either of these teams can pull this off, they might find themselves at the top of the SAA. Southwestern (11-19, 13-26) is the second SCAC team to make the switch to the SAA but they lack the resume of Trinity (Texas) and the potential. Hendrix moved to SCAC, bringing this super-conference to 11 members.
Predicted Champion: Centre
USA South Athletic Conference: Methodist (16-5, 34-15) avoided the spotlight in a season that saw their long-time head coach, Tom Austin, hang up his spikes in the summer instead of announcing it before the season started. In all, four of the 20 top DIII coaches by number of wins retired following the 2025 season. Expect no drop off as long time assistant Spencer Martin takes the reins of the program. Martin will return some key players from a regional finalist team. The Monaches will play defense at a high level and rely on their offensive to win games. The best hitters in the green and gold are juniors led by second baseman Brandon Mauger (.337, 60 Runs, 44 RBI). If pitching can catch up to the batters, the team has a chance to make another regional appearance. Junior Presley Patterson (3-1, 8.50 ERA, 38K) is the best returning starter but will have a senior laden relief corps backing him and the rest of the starters.
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| 2026 D3Baseball Preseason All-American Evan Sykes took over the Greensboro career home run record last season with his 21st career home run. Greensboro athletics photo |
Greensboro (15-5-1, 28-16-1) has show improvement in their win totals every year since 2020 and finished less than a game out of first place in 2025 and lost a best-of-three to Methodist in the USA South tournament. To get past Methodist, they will need senior shortstop Evan Sykes (.357, 48 RBI) to play to the level that got him All-American honors in 2025 by D3baseball.com. The pride of the pitching staff is Michael Richards (6-2, 4.63 ERA, 32K).
Brevard (11-9-1, 17-23-1) will have a large hill to climb this season after the losses due to graduation. It is difficult to see so many four year starters leave and continue to compete at the top of the conference. With three position players and one key pitcher back, it would cause any head coach to down play expectations. Not head coach Vinny Carone. Carone shed the interim tag this year and is excited to showcase a brand-new team. He is expecting to bring a tight-knit group into the season who showed a high level of both baseball talent and knowledge in the fall season. With a lot of new faces starting games, there will be some reliance on the bullpen. Good thing for the Tornados their best pitcher, 2025 USA South Relief Pitcher of the Year, Matt Evans will be available. Also keep an eye on the record book as Evans (5-3, 2.49 ERA, 13K) and Andy Fahringer (1-1, 2 Saves, 5.82 ERA, 26K) are both a couple saves shy of the school record.
Southern Virginia (10-11, 14-25) returns seven starters on a roster that includes 23 returning players. Since joining DIII, Southern Virginia has yet to reach 20 wins in a season and according to the coaching staff, "this is a hungry and focused team, demonstrating a high level of maturity and competitive purpose". With this strong core, the 20 win mark is within reach. They will need a All-American campaign by Zack Geertsen. Geertsen (.431, 31 RBI; 4-4, 4.99 ERA, 26K) tested the waters in the portal but is staying for his final year for the Knights. A two-time All-Region utility selection, he will continue to etch his name on the SVU record book.
Pfeiffer (9-12, 14-26) and North Carolina Wesleyan (9-12, 11-28) were the final two teams to qualify for the conference final and as the standings indicated, both left early. Both teams have a tough schedule ahead of themselves so when the conference season opens, it will be clear which direction these teams are headed. William Peace (8-13, 13-26) and Mary Baldwin (5-16, 7-33) rounded out he rest of the conference slate. Mary Baldwin will return 25 players from last year's roster and welcome a 16 member recruiting class. William Peace will return the bulk of their hitters and pitchers with a great mix of upper and lower classmen. Gavin Turner (.357, 33 RBI) had a special freshman campaign and is one five sophomores that will get a chance to shine in 2026 for the Pacers.
Predicted Champion: Methodist
University Athletic Association: Emory (12-8, 28-16) finished the 2025 campaign tied with Chicago for second place in what was the toughest conference last season. This was enough to have the Eagles to be selected to the NCAA playoffs with a 21st ranked NPI. This was the first year for head coach Bobby Perez and he had the team back to the level expected when Mike Twardoski headed the program. Tops in the hitting ranks are third baseman Aiden Conley (.383, 45 RBI, 10 SB) who was one of four All-UAA selections for Emory and the only non-senior to earn this honor. Coach Perez will have to plug some holes from a strong incoming class to make it two out of two years in the NCAA Playoffs.