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| 2025 National Champion UW-Whitewater will be looking to be the first team to win concesutive championships since Marietta won twice in 2011 and 2012. d3photography.com photo by Ryan Coleman |
By Jim Dixon. D3sports.com
Region 9 is one of those regions that looks simple on a map, and turns into something much more complex on NCAA Selection Day. For 2026, the WIAC will be the headline in Region 9—not only because the 2025 national champion came from this region, but also because it remains the only conference in the entire region that is consistently able to mount any sort of threat for an at large bid. Only three current Region 9 programs have ever played in a DIII national championship game and those teams are all from the WIAC: UW Whitewater, UW Oshkosh, and UW La Crosse - all favored to be there when Regional bids are awarded.
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| Since graduating in 2017, Drake Sykes has spent time with William Penn and Knox before being selected as the new head coach for the 2026 squad. Knox athletics photo |
The UMAC, MIAC, ARC, and MWC combined for zero at-large bids in the last two years with only the ARC getting two teams in the Regional since the COVID year. For these conferences, it is imperative to win your conference bid if you want to play in late May. Buena Vista and Coe were the top ARC teams and look like they will be again. In the MIAC Gustavus is a favorite of the region's coaches as are Beloit in the MWC and Bethany Lutheran in the UMAC. Chicago in the UAA is evaluated in the Region and is looking for a repeat trip in 2026.
New Faces
Andrew Woitas, Gustavus: Woitas, associate head coach of the Gustavus team for the last two seasons and primary assistant for the five years prior, was named the 25th Gusties' head baseball coach. Woitas replaces Brad Baker who retired following 11 seasons with a 246-136 record. "I'm excited and grateful to be the next Gustavus baseball head coach," said Woitas. "I would like to thank Tom Brown for this opportunity and Brad Baker for hiring me as an assistant coach, as well as being a great mentor to me. Gustavus baseball stands on a firm foundation, and our coaching staff looks forward to continuing the momentum and elevating the program to new heights. Most of all, I'm excited to work with the amazing student-athletes and help them succeed on the field, in the classroom and in life."
Drake Sykes, Knox: Sykes, a member of the Knox class of 2017 and an assistant baseball coach for the Prairie Fire this past spring, has been promoted to lead the Knox program as its head coach following the 26-year tenure of Jami Isaacson. Sykes is in his second stint on the athletics staff having served as an assistant baseball coach for the 2019-20 academic year as well as the assistant softball coach in the spring of 2018. Prior to his return to Knox, he spent two years as the graduate assistant coach at William Penn for the 2021 and 2022 campaigns, helping the Statesmen post a combined record of 59-39 over the two seasons. "I'm incredibly honored to step into the role of head coach," Sykes said, "and I want to extend my sincere thanks to Coach Isaacson for the leadership and foundation he's provided this program. I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue building on that legacy, and I look forward to working with these student-athletes as we grow together."
Scott Lieser, St. John's (Minn.): Lieser, an assistant coach at Saint John's (Minn.) the past seven seasons, was named the Johnnies' head baseball coach in May. Lieser replaces Jerry Haugen who retired following 48 seasons with a 916-736-5 record. Following graduation at DII St. Cloud State, Lieser played professionally in the Milwaukee Brewers organization for three seasons (2013-15) and reached the high-A level. Lieser first joined the Johnnies' program as an assistant coach for the 2018-19 academic year before taking over as the activities director at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School from 2019-21. Lieser served as a volunteer assistant coach at SJU, in a minor capacity, those two seasons before returning to Collegeville full-time in the fall of 2021. Prior to his stop in Collegeville, he was an assistant coach in 2017-18 for Augsburg "Leading the Johnnie baseball program is a dream come true, and I am humbled and thrilled to have the opportunity to shape the future of this program," Lieser said. "It has been such a privilege to coach alongside Jerry (Haugen) and his staff the past seven seasons, and I am looking forward to honoring the rich history and traditions he has put in place. Saint John's is a special place with outstanding student-athletes and I am eager to get started."
Key Games
UW-Whitewater at Trinity (Texas), February 19th: To open the defense of their title, the UWW Warhawks travel to San Antonio for a four game series with Trinity (Texas). The last time these two teams met was in East Lake, Ohio where they played the final game on opening day in the 2025 DIII College World Series with the Warhawks winning 7-3, the closest game of the World Series for UW-Whitewater.
UW-Whitewater at UW-La Crosse, April 3rd: The defending national champions will open a four game series with rival UW-La Crosse. It will not get easier for the Warhawks as they play four games the next weekend in Oshkosh.
Coe at Buena Vista, April 10th: Unlike last year where Coe and Buena Vista met on the final weekend of the ARC season, the clash between the two top favorites in the ARC meet in the middle of the season.
Bethel at Gustavus, April 14th: In the middle of the MIAC conference season, Bethel travels to St. Peter, Minnesota for a doubleheader with Gustavus. A sweep by either school should put them in the drivers seat for an MIAC regular season title.
Bethany Lutheran at Crown, April 17th: Bethany Lutheran and Crown open a three game series in a rematch of the two teams that played for the UMAC championship in the title tilt last season.
Lawrence at Beloit, April 25th: The two programs that most recently win Midwest titles meet in a three game series in the second to last weekend in the conference season. Which teams gets two or three losses will not have time to recoup if the Midwest title is in their list of goals.
Conference Previews
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| Coe College junior pitcher Jack Walsh was named a 2026 Preseason D3baseball.com All-American, earning a spot on the third team. Coe athletics photo |
American Rivers Conference: Buena Vista (18-6, 33-12) needed a sweep to get the ARC regular season title and got it. And they continued winning, sweeping through the ARC tournament and into the NCAA Regionals. It will not be easy to repeat with graduation taking a chunk of the best of the Beavers. With the loss of a great group of seniors the coaching staff will rely on a mix of returners and newcomers. Junior Ean McDaniel (3-1, 6.39 ERA, 29K) has been in the weekend rotation since he has joined the program and will be paired with DJ Johnson (4-1, 4.37 ERA, 41K) as part of an inexperienced but deep pitching staff. Look for head coach Steve Eddie to hit the 600 win mark with win #16.
It feels like Coe (17-7, 28-13) is at the end of a run but are expected in the ARC preseason poll to finish first. They were unable to close the deal last season and although they saw their closest competition lose a ton, they did also. They will showcase a core of veteran returners both in the line up and on the pitching staff that will be asked to take another jump in their game to lead the 2026 campaign. They have a star in Jack Walsh (6-1, 2.05 ERA, 72K) who might just be the best pitcher in the league for 2026 and 2027. Primed to lead the offense is Walsh's battery mate, catcher Ryan Thoreson (.349, 9 HR, 32 RBI).
Luther (13-11, 20-22) and Wartburg (12-12, 21-20) each won their opening game in the ARC tournament but none more. The two teams combined for nine All-ARC selections with all but Luther's Zach Gwost (.296, 21 RBI) in their final year of eligibility. The good news is that the schools above them in the 2025 standings also saw large numbers of key players graduating. The Norse and Knights will be tested in how well they can develop players if they want to make their teams conference champs.
Simpson (11-13, 17-23) and Nebraska Wesleyan (10-14, 25-21) were the final teams to earn a spot in the ARC tournament and they went in different directions. Simpson went 0-2 while Nebraska Wesleyan won four elimination games before they were finally sent home by Buena Vista. Seven Prairie Wolves earned All-Conference honors but only Easton Johnson (.324, 6 HR, 41 RBI) and Owen Duckworth (.300, 3 RBI; 2-5, 3.46 ERA, 52K) return. Simpson has escaped the mass graduation losses that the top teams saw. They return eight starters in the field and made a couple upgrades around the diamond with the incoming class. The lineup will be their strength with Nate Cagley (.326, 34 RBI), their most consistent hitter, and Jacob Roberts (.293, 4 HR, 17 RBI) who is moving from third to catcher this season. The hole that needs to be plugged is shortstop and transferring player Tijmen Nagel will fill the hole and might be the best overall baseball player on a veteran team. Pitching will need some help with four time All-ARC pitcher Trey Castile and All-Region Eli Feekin gone. In a year with a lot of programs around the conference replacing a number of guys, Simpson is looking to take advantage.
Dubuque (10-14, 19-20), Loras (9-15, 19-21) and Central (8-16, 17-21) all were left out of the ARC tournament. Loras will return a lot of their 2025 roster but will miss their Gold Glove second baseman. They will be led by first baseman Vince Polizzi (.336, 11 HR, 42 RBI) and outfielder Jackson Cullen (.353, 30 RBI). Both seniors are poised for big years and when the top conference honors are handed out, if either hear their name we would not be surprised. Like Loras, Central will feature a team with a lot of experience and good depth of talent from their freshman and sophomore classes. With a bat Garrett Guenther (.311, 5 HR, 24 RBI) is showing continued growth and fifth-year senior Dom DeLaPaz (.291, 11 HR, 41 RBI) is eyeing the program career home run record, needing two dingers to set the mark. On the mound, Mark Kenney (5-2, 4.19 ERA, 41K) is an out-getter in games and has emerged as a great leader in the program.
Predicted Champion: Coe
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| Gustavus starting pitcher Benny McDonald in 9-1 with a sub-4.00 ERA and 80 strikeouts in his first two years. d3photography.com photo by Ryan Coleman |
Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference: Gustavus Adolphus (17-3, 37-9) remains the standard in the MIAC, but 2025 raised expectations for the team. Those expectations took a hit with graduation and the portal taking more than their share of All-MIAC performers. The offense will be led by junior outfielder Brayden Kohls (.416, 55 RBI, 11 SB) and senior DH/outfielder Joe Burns (.367, 6 HR, 49 RBI). Starting pitcher Benny McDonald (7-1, 4.41 ERA, 50K) was part of a superb rotation but the three other starters were seniors and are now out of college. There are quite a few pitchers down the pitching corps but will they be able to make the jump from relief to starting. If they do, Gustavus will stay at the top of the standings.
Bethel (15-5, 30-13) is the definition of “they’ll be in the mix every single year.” Even after losing major innings and lineup glue, Bethel is a program that is constantly reloading. They’re the safest bet to stay near the top, and head coach Brian Raabe has earned that reputation for himself and his team. Back swinging a bat are outfielder Oran Hinkle (.329, 9 HR, 30 RBI) and second baseman Hayden Sperbeck (.322, 14 RBI) - the 2025 MIAC Baseball Rookie of the Year. The Royals will have a top starter back on the mound, Mark Anderson (5-3, 3.56 ERA, 44K) and in the pen, Cavan Banks (3-1, 3 Saves, 2.00 ERA, 40K). Both pitchers have several years of eligibility and should rack up awards for years to come.
St. John's (14-6, 25-16) is a storyline worth watching. They exceeded expectations last year after losing a big senior class. Now comes the real test: does the program’s postseason ceiling change with a new head coach, or is it the same movie with a different cast? Given the talent that moves in and out of this program each year, fans have every right to expect significant changes and legitimate NCAA tournament runs going forward. Outfielders Alex Matchey (.366, 24 RBI) and Brendan Hemr (.352, 6 HR, 39K) are the best of the players returning in 2026.
St. Olaf (13-7, 23-16) is the most likely other member of the “Top 4” in this conference. The Oles return an experienced team positionally that includes shortstop Mason Buck (.386, 27 RBI), the 2025 MIAC Baseball Max Molock Co-Player of the Year. Add Frank Lavin (.310, 5 HR, 37 RBI) and Christopher Woodside (.308, 7 RBI; 0-0, 3.97 ERA, 3K) and you have the most experienced offense in the MIAC. If there is a question mark, it will be the pitching. Ten freshmen pitchers as well as a number of pitchers returning from injury will create great competition for innings.
St. Mary's (Minn.) (13-7, 22-15) lost the tie breaker to St. Olaf and missed the tournament. The Cardinals return an experienced team with a good mix of veterans and new guys with a large freshman class. This has St. Mary's excited about this year and the future of the program. Catcher Stephen Golden (.413, 15 RBI), shortstop Josh Costello (.345, 19 RBI) and third baseman Danny Sherman (.324, 19 RBI) are all seniors and role models for the incoming 25 man recruited class. On the bump, Connor Tulley (2-2, 1 Save, 2.76 ERA, 23K) will move out of the pen into a starting role with Eric Stomberg (4-2, 3.60 ERA, 25K). The team goals are well withing reach this season.
St. Scholastica (9-11, 22-18) and Concordia-Moorhead (9-11, 19-20) both fell four games out of a shot at the conference auto bid and the MIAC fans keep waiting for these teams to jump to the top of the conference. St. Scholastica will see a lot of new faces but the overall talented has been upgraded to a level not seen in the post-Covid era. The Saints are looking to get a full season out of pitcher Zack Hlinsky (5-0, 1 Save, 3 CG, 0.28 ERA, 28K). He broke his finger early last season and missed the first half and a healthy Hlinsky is essential to break into the top of the MIAC. Brock Anderson earned all-MIAA honors but the only Andersons playing for the Cobbers are from the Anderson clan from Dilworth, Minn. A new season provides opportunities and how well a new influx of new players work will be crucial for St. Scholastica and Concordia.
The final four schools in the MIAA: Augsburg (8-12, 16-23), Carleton (5-15, 12-22), Macalester (5-15, 12-23) and Hamline (2-18, 7-32) combined for 20 conference wins. Unfortunately history is not on their side either. All four have the fewest tournament appearances (13 combined) and just two championships earned. The last time either of these teams qualified for the MIAC tournament was Macalester in 2018. The Scots won the tournament in 2017 and Hamline did it in 2011. There are plenty of gems in the basement teams. Carelton's Will Schnepf (.378, 24 RBI; 2-2, 1.84 ERA, 35K) has a shot of winning every time he heads to the mound. Macalester has Nathan Gumagay (.406, 17 RBI) and Raymond McCaskey (.313, 10 RBI, 10SB) back for another year as Augsburg has Drew Jenkins (.337, 16 RBI) and Stanley Regguiniti (.385, 22 RBI), all swinging a big bat. Pitcher Jake Pittelkow (3-2, 5.06 ERA, 32K) will toe the rubber for Augsburg.
Predicted Champion: Gustavus
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| While a member of the Beloit Bucs Jack Alpoprt has won a regional defense award (2024) and All-Region honors last season. Beloit athletics photo |
Midwest Conference: Beloit (14-7, 30-16) took an opening loss in the Midwest double elimination tournament and advanced to the NCAA Regionals out of the elimination bracket. It is not just the regular season and tournament title that makes the Bucs a Midwest favorite but they dominate with returning talent. The outfield is in good shape with All-Midwest outfielders Jack Alport (.364, 33 R, 15 SB) and Seth Branke (.364, 5 HR, 33 RBI, 16 SB) but the infield could benefit from a quality freshman in this years recruiting class. The Buc's top pitcher will be around for a couple years in junior Ben Schweit (7-4, 3.58 ERA, 85K). In a conference where only the tournament winner makes the NCAA tournament, the Bucs are poised to make it four appearances in a row.
Lawrence (14-7, 21-19) had quite the run, three 20+ win seasons in four years and a NCAA Regional appearance. The good times may be over or not. Head coach Chris Krepline did what many have not done, get the Viking program to be a consistent winner. Trent Whitcomb has not done this but the jury is still out. The gap between Lawrence and Beloit is large but not insurmountable. Larwence brings back a single All-Midwest honoree in infielder Tate Hartlaub (.354, 20 RBI, 17 SB). His twin brother, Brett Hartlaub, has not had the same success and missed the 2025 season. With the interim tag removed from Whitcomb in May, this should be a confirmation that he has the program on the right direction.
Monmouth (12-9, 19-22) made it to the tournament championship game, twice, but was unable to get past Beloit. The Scots will returning a deep pitching staff who got experience last year with the addition of high upside freshman. On the offensive side, it will be thinner than last year, but with multiple four year starters leading the line up. Tops among the seniors is infielder Aiden Scott (.267, 22 RBI) who made big improvements in the off season and will be able to hit for some pop. With a junior dominated pitching staff, improvements should be seen in a staff that posted a 4.88 ERA. Look for Monmouth to leapfrog Lawrence and be the top contender to Beloit in 2026.
Grinnell (11-10, 23-19) was the final seed in the Midwest tournament and with the second most returning talent in the Midwest, another tournament spot is expected. Senior Connor Goodson, Grinnell (.361, 10 HR, 46 RBI) should provide the leadership on a roster with 12 new faces and a couple wins with this bat. Shortstop Joe Chanis (.391, 25 RBI) and third baseman Stuart Cash (.382, 4 HR, 30 RBI) will provide stability on the left side of the infield for two years. Shea Goel (3-1, 4.03 ERA, 31K) will be the top pitcher in the rotation for years to come and will be augmented by a couple upper classmen in Jakob Runkel (4-4, 5.56 ERA, 59K) and Jackson Gutta (2-3, 8.39 ERA, 19K).
Illinois College (10-11, 22-18), Ripon (10-11, 17-23), Knox (7-14, 15-23) and Cornell (6-15, 14-25) all finished without a shot at the Midwest bid to the next round. Illinois College will first have to address the loss of Charlie Lardi, Midwest Pitcher of the Year to the portal. You lose some, you gain some and the Blue Boys recruited a talented group of transfers will look to fill some key roles around a solid group of returners. Look for Ketch Mills (.333, 14 RBI) to take the next step offensively after starting and hitting in the middle of the order as a freshman last year. While we cannot crow about Lardi, we can about Connor Akstulewicz (1-1 2 Saves, 4.25 ERA. 23K) who had good stuff out of the pen and will be counted on to close out close games. Ripon will have the ability to continue to score runs and put pressure on opposing pitchers and defenses. The question mark is the pitching staff. Back are infielders Alex Pankratz (.323, 32 RBI, 10 SB) and Kyler Hickman (.315, 27 RBI) who should led the offensive onslaught. Cornell lost their entire starting lineup and 80% of the innings on the mound and will start fresh with a brand new lineup in 2026.
Predicted Champion: Beloit
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| With the departure of the top Vikings pitcher, Sean Gamble (pictured) will assume the ace duties along with Adryen Tietz this season. Bethany Lutheran athletics photo |
Upper Midwest Athletic Conference: Bethany Lutheran (19-2, 29-14) is set on being the perennial winner of the UMAC like St. Scholastica was before they moved to the MIAC. The Vikings earned 12 All-UMAC with half being seniors. Six return that include the UMAC Rookie of the Year. First baseman Xander Meissner (.372, 12 HR, 57 RBI) took top region 9 rookie honors. He will be paired with catcher Gary Swann (.409, 35 RBI) and Bethany Lutheran should keep their status as the best hitting team in the UMAC. The pitching rotation will look similar but without Trent Ash who left via the portal. Remaining in 2026 are Sean Gamble (7-2, 2 Saves, 4.75 ERA, 95K) and Adryen Tietz (6-2, 3.62 ERA, 63K). All had double digit starts with no other pitcher with more than three. With the key players still on the youthful side, Bethany Lutheran is set for dominance for more than this season.
Crown (16-5, 23-18) always seems to find hitters but pitching has been historically poor, at least until last year when they were a half a game better than Bethany Lutheran in ERA. With their two top line pitchers graduating, the pitching staff might give back all the gains made last year. As for hitting, two key hitters with All-UMAC credentials are back. Bryan Gerbers (.359, 8 HR, 56 RBI, 16 SB) is their best combination of speed and power and as a junior will be in the lineup for two years. Tyler Olson (.333, 25 RBI) is one of four hitters who hit the standard of one hit per three at-bats. If the incoming class of players cannot provide upgraded starters, it will be hard to stick with Bethany Lutheran.
Northwestern (Minn.) (14-7, 18-24) and Minnesota-Morris (13-8, 17-21) were the bottom seeds in the UMAC tournament and finished in the order they were seeded. The Minnesota-Morris Cougars will have an older team with their sights set on winning a conference championship and making the NCAA Tournament. The team will be led by three players, shortstop Bradie Black (.266, 35 RBI, 19 SB), third baseman Trevor Haberman (.341, 9 HR, 25 RBI) and first baseman Ben Meuser (.352, 6 HR, 37 RBI), that could each potentially be the Conference Player of the Year candidates. Our odds are on Meuser who will own just about every school record in program's history when he finishes his career this season. Senior starting pitcher, Parker Gilchrist (4-4, 6.93 ERA, 39K) will lead the staff with Breckin Silvain (0-0, 5.12 ERA, 36K) an even better thrower in the bullpen. Northwestern should stay mired in the middle of the pack with only one All-UMAC player back for the 2026 season, Christian Raya (.327, 5 HR, 31 RBI; 1-1, 2 Saves, 3.78 ERA, 20K).
UW-Superior (12-9, 17-21), North Central (Minn.) (5-16, 7-30), Martin Luther (2-19, 9-27) missed the end of the season tournament. UW-Superior will enter the 2026 campaign with a strong mix of new and experienced guys. After graduating a handful of key contributors from last season, the ‘Jackets have Tanner Voight (.326, 28 RBI) and Trey Sybrant (.351, 27 RBI) back in the fold. Josh Pritchard (4.-2, 4.04 ERA, 32K) is the top starter with Kevin Rahe (0-2, 1 Save, 2.01 ERA, 20K) key among the bullpen pitchers. Look for the year’s recruiting class to push for playing time right away after a good fall session. Martin Luther has all three of their 2025 All-UMAC honorees returning in their top three batters: Parker Winghart (.329, 23 RBI), Mark Vogel (.304, 12 RBI) and Carlos Walta (.320, 5 HR, 23 RBI). North Central saw most of their best players graduate with Dawson Barson (.327, 19 RBI) the only key returnee. Northland (3-18, 7-31) played the last game of their program when the school closed at the end of the year.
Predicted Champion: Bethany Lutheran
Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference: Three teams have repeated as national champions, Marietta was the last in 2011- 2012, and UW-Whitewater (24-4, 49-6) is now on the clock. You have to go back further, 1999-2001 the last time a team made the Championship game in three consecutive years: St. Thomas (Minn). The Warhawks have their work to do to match either string as they lost 12 seniors to graduation and some top arms to the portal. Do not despair Warhawk fans, there is plenty of talent remaining and head coach John Vodenlich knows how to recruit. Aaron Holland (.403, 14 HR, 58 RBI) is an anchor behind the plate with infielders Andy Thies (.349, 15 HR, 69 RBI, 11 SB) and Danny Hopper (.379, 30 RBI) still wearing a UWW uniform. The pitching staff seems particularly hard hit but Ben Lee (6-1, 2.42 ERA, 45K) and Brady Malkow (3-1, 1.78 ERA, 31K) are ready to front the rotation. Don't count out Whitewater and it should surprise nobody if they make a deep playoff run in defense of their National Championship.
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| The Loggers of UW-La Crosse will see a lot of new faces with a big graduation class but will welcome having Chayce Osterhaus back in 2026. UW-La Crosse athletics photo |
Supporters of UW-La Crosse (23-5, 35-11) can cheer the position losses from the Warhawk squad but they have plenty of holes with seven position players graduating last spring. It was a well decorated group with a combined 248 home runs hit by these players while at La Crosse. In addition 124 innings by starting pitchers and the two best relievers were also lost to graduation. The coaching staff is optimistic with a talented underclassman class and transfers however the offense will be the question. Despite all the losses, the pitching staff will continue to be a strength of the program. Chayce Osterhaus (8-1, 3.16 ERA, 51K) and AJ Curtis (4-2, 3.83 ERA, 44K) will be the top line starters. Fighting through one of the toughest conferences in the country will put the Eagles in position to make the NCAA postseason.
UW-Oshkosh (20-8, 35-16) is in position to take advantage of all the talent that left the two top teams from 2025 despite having to replace half of the AB from last season. The best returning offensive threat is Logan Schill (.309, 8 HR, 39 RBI, 24 SB), a top end outfielder with the ability to be a dynamic offensive threat. Josh Jansen (9-2, 4.18 ERA, 80K), Connor Walters (6-5, 4.92 ERA, 59K) and Brett Gaynor (6-3, 5.78 ERA, 49K) all made double digit starts on the bump and finished six of their games. This is good news as the bullpen will be young and learning on the fly.
UW-Platteville (13-15, 20-21) beat out UW-Stout (12-16, 14-26) for the final tournament seed and started out upsetting the eventual National Champions UW-Whitewater. That was the highlight as they lost their next two games by double digits. The Pioneers return their top power hitter in Sam Meidenbauer (.333, 10 HR, 33 RBI) along with sophomore third baseman Anthony Massa (.358, 32 RBI). All but five starts were by seniors in 2025 so the starting rotation will look very different in 2026. Pierce Nelson (1-0, 1 Save, 2.73 ERA, 20K) had three of those starts and maybe ready to move from the bullpen to a starting role. Stout will return five starters from their 2025 roster as they chase their first championship since 1990. The best of the bunch is senior Austin Miller (.405, 8 HR, 37 RBI). The Stout coaching staff brought in some key newcomers that will have an immediate impact in the lineup and the best new player is shortstop Gavyn Schacher, a D2 transfer that can hit for contact and power. The pitching ranks among returners are thin with Luke Carter (2-2, 5.52 ERA, 39K) the top starter.
UW-Stevens Point (10-18, 15-25) continued their fall from their last conference title in 2023 and a three year period (2021-23) where they were first or second in the WIAC. Newcomers to the league finished in the basement. UW-River Falls (6-22, 13-27) was not expecting to finish first but beat out UW-Eau Claire (4-24, 11-29). Eau Claire played their fifth season in 2025 is averaging just over 10 wins a year. Each of these teams have a returning All-WIAC honoree, Stevens Point: Tyler Soule (.289, 10 HR, 31 RBI); River Falls: Max Krebs (.338, 16 RBI) and Eau Claire: Nicholas Meuser (3-4, 6.15 ERA, 41K).
Predicted Champion: UW-Whitewater
University Athletic Association: Chicago (12-8, 29-16) took advantage of changes in 2025. The move back to the UAA improved their strength of schedule and with the fourth best NPI ranking in the UAA, earned their first NCAA playoff bid. 2026 might very well see a second. The Maroons are returning six out of eight starting position players from last year’s Regional Championship Appearance. Chicago will lack experience on the mound and this will be evident in the first few weeks of the season. Erik Rindner (.317, 38 RBI) is a top defensive backstop and a better hitter. Outfielders Braden Jirovec (.378, 22 RBI, 30 SB) and Mike Gladden (.345, 6 HR, 47 RBI, 21 SB) combined for 108 runs scored and were a combined 51-56 in swipes last year. The Maroon's best starting pitcher is Russel Kwinter (7-0, 4.89 ERA, 31K) and the only pitcher returning that threw more than 30 innings. The 2026 schedule will include a lot of games against top 25 opponents in the first weeks of the season. It will be trial by fire in a lot of cases and the team will sink or swim early. With the top goal a UAA title, these early games should prepare the Maroons for the conference slate.
Eric Rudolf (X: @d3ppodcast) contributed to this preview