KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The defending MIAA Regular Season and NCAA-II Central Regional Champion, and 2025 National Runner-Up University of Central Missouri Mules Baseball Team was picked number one in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll released Thursday, Jan. 23, by the conference office.

The Mules received 12 first-place votes and 144 points for the top spot, while Pittsburg State was voted second with 125 points. Central Oklahoma rounded out the top three in third with 115 points. 

Missouri Southern (97 points, one first-place vote), Washburn (93 points), and Fort Hays State (92 points) were fourth, fifth, and sixth, followed by Rogers State (82 points) and Emporia State (72 points) in seventh and eighth.

Northwest Missouri (67 points), MoWest (50 points), Northeastern State (32 points), Arkansas-Fort Smith (25 points), and Newman (20 points) rounded out the poll.

The Mules are coming off a 2025 season in which they posted an overall record of 48-14 and went 29-7 in MIAA conference action.

UCM is slated to open its 2026 season Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Houston Winter Invitational at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. Central Missouri's MIAA opening series is scheduled for Feb. 20-22 at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla. 

2026 MIAA BASEBALL PRESEASON POLL
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