Baseball | 1/23/2026 11:00:00 AM
January 23, 2026 – The MIAA released the 2026 Baseball Preseason Poll and Emporia State is picked eighth.
The Hornets went 23-25 during the 2025 campaign, with a 16-20 record in the MIAA to finish ninth and return to the MIAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.
Seven Hornets that had more than 100 at-bats last season return for Emporia State in 2026.
Notable returners to lead the Hornets in year one under
John Martin include
Noah Steele,
Logan Myers and
Sammy Padilla. Steele and Myers both earned All-MIAA honors last season, with Steele posting a team-high .368 average and 15 home runs.
The 2026 season will begin for Emporia State on Friday, January 30 as they take on Adams State in their first of four games in Tucson, Ariz.
2026 MIAA BASEBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Central Missouri [12] –
144 points
2. Pittsburg State –
125 points
3. Central Oklahoma –
115 points
4. Missouri Southern [1] –
97 points
5. Washburn –
93 points
6. Fort Hays State –
92 points
7. Rogers State –
82 points
8. Emporia State – 72 points
9. Northwest Missouri –
67 points
10. Missouri Western –
50 points
11. Northeastern State –
32 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith –
25 points
13. Newman –
20 points
[#] - First Place Votes
