On Wednesday (Jan. 21) afternoon, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference's preseason baseball coaches poll was revealed, and Ashland University was picked to finish in second place in the North Division.
The Eagles picked up five first-place votes and 61 voting points – narrowly behind Northwood (seven first-place votes, 63 voting points). In the South Division, preseason favorite Walsh (seven first-place votes, 63 voting points) bested second-place Kentucky Wesleyan (five first-place votes, 60 voting points).
Returning this spring are the reigning conference Freshman of the Year and first-team selection, sophomore outfielder
Sean Krueckeberg (.348 batting average, 46 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 41 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 2025), senior first-team first baseman
Sam Witt (.362, 27 runs scored, nine doubles, six home runs, 21 RBIs), graduate second-team right-handed pitcher
Chase Carter (3-5 record, six saves, 2.80 earned-run average), and graduate second-team shortstop
Collin Overholt (.298, 47 runs scored, 11 doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, 38 RBIs and seven stolen bases).
Ashland baseball finished 37-19 overall and 24-8 in the Great Midwest in 2025, was second in the North Division, and played in both the conference and NCAA Division II Midwest Regional tournaments.
The Eagles will begin the new season with three games on Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Houston Winter Invitational.
2026 GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE BASEBALL PRESEASON COACHES POLL
North Division
1. Northwood (7 first-place votes) - 63
2. ASHLAND UNIVERSITY (5 FIRST-PLACE VOTES) - 61
3. Hillsdale - 41
4. Findlay - 39
5. Tiffin - 31
6. Lake Erie - 17
South Division
1. Walsh (7 first-place votes) - 63
2. Kentucky Wesleyan (5 first-place votes) - 60
3. Ohio Dominican - 48
4. Cedarville - 35
5. Malone - 24
6. Thomas More – 22
