Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
OSHKOSH, Wisconsin – Beloit College has been selected to win the 2026 Midwest Conference baseball title as the MWC Preseason Coaches Poll was announced on Wednesday morning.
The Buccaneers received 48 points and six first-place votes to pace all teams. Under head coach Dave DeGeorge, Beloit has won the last three Midwest Conference tournament crowns. The Bucs last won the MWC regular season title in 2023. Last season, Beloit went 30-16 overall (14-7 in league play).
Grinnell College earned 40 points and one first-place vote to take second in the poll. Last season, the Pioneers qualified for their first MWC Tournament since 2023.
Monmouth College collected 29 points to finish third in the poll. In 2025, the Fighting Scots advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2019 and came one win away from their first NCAA Tournament since 2018.
The top five is rounded out by Illinois College and Lawrence University, as the Blueboys and Vikings each received 28 points while IC picked up the final first place vote. Closing out the poll was Ripon College (25 points), Cornell College (13 points) and Knox College (13 points).
Grinnell opens up the 2026 season on Saturday, February 14 as the Pioneers take on Augustana from Kansas City, Missouri. MWC play begins on Saturday, March 28 with all eight teams in action.
The 2026 MWC Baseball Tournament is scheduled for Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. This season-ending event will feature the league’s top four teams from the final standings, competing for the tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Full preseason poll results and quick facts for all eight league teams are available below.
2026 MWC Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Beloit College (6 first-place votes) - 48 points
2. Grinnell College (1) - 40 points
3. Monmouth College - 29 points
T4. Illinois College (1) - 28 points
T4. Lawrence University - 28 points
6. Ripon College - 25 points
T7. Cornell College - 13 points
T7. Knox College - 13 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Dave DeGeorge (36th Season)
2025: 30-16 (overall); 14-7 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Jack Alport (Senior/Pitcher & Outfielder), Ben Schweit (Junior/Pitcher)
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Robbie Dombrowski (4th Season)
2025: 14-25 (overall); 6-15 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Tim Hollibaugh (32nd Season)
2025: 23-19 (overall); 11-10 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Connor Goodson (Senior/Infielder & Pitcher), Joe Chanis (Junior/Infielder), Shea Goel (Sophomore/Pitcher)
Illinois College Blueboys
Head Coach: Jacob Waddle (8th Season)
2025: 22-18 (overall); 10-11 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Drake Sykes (1st Season)
2025: 15-23 (overall); 7-14 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Trent Whitcomb (2nd Season)
2025: 21-19 (overall); 14-7 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Tate Hartlaub (Junior/Infielder)
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Alan Betourne (11th Season)
2025: 19-22 (overall); 12-9 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Eric Cruise (13th Season)
2025: 17-23 (overall); 10-11 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Alex Pankratz (Senior/Infielder), Kyler Hickman (Senior/Infielder)