GNAC releases preseason poll
- Updated: February 13, 2026
WINTHROP, Mass. – Mitchell College was picked to finish first in the 2026 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Preseason Poll as voted by the league’s 11 head coaches.
The Mariners look to bounce back from a runner-up finish in last year’s postseason and earned 114 points in this year’s poll, inclduing eight first-place votes.
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The University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) finished seconds. The Blue Jays earned 109 points and the remaining three first-place votes as USJ.
Saint Joseph’s (Maine) collected 92 points for a third-place finish, and Lasell was picked fourth with 85 points,
Colby-Sawyer came in fifth with 83 points followed by Rivier (71) in the sixth spot.
Norwich (48), Elms (42), Dean (31), Albertus Magnus (29), and New England College rounded out the 7-11 spots.
Dean gets the GNAC Baseball season started on Monday when it begins its non-conference slate against Fitchburg State.
The top eight teams at the end of the regular season earn berths into the 2026 GNAC Baseball Championship Tournament. The eight teams will be split into two double-elimination pods. The first day of Pod Play will take place April 30 and will follow up with Day 2 on May 2. The Finals will be on May 3 with the two pod champions advancing to the 2026 GNAC Baseball Championship Series.
The best-of-three GNAC Championship Series is scheduled for Thursday-Friday, May 7-8. The winner of the GNAC Championship Series will be named the 2026 GNAC Baseball Champion and earn the league’s automatic qualifier into the 2026 NCAA Division Baseball Championship.
2026 GNAC Baseball Preseason Poll
| 1. | Mitchell | 114 (8) |
| 2. | University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) | 109 (3) |
| 3. | Saint Joseph’s (Maine) | 92 |
| 4. | Lasell | 85 |
| 5. | Colby-Sawyer | 83 |
| 6. | Rivier | 71 |
| 7. | Norwich | 48 |
| 8. | Elms | 42 |
| 9. | Dean | 31 |
| 10. | Albertus Magnus | 29 |
| 11. | New England College | 22 |
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