MIDDLETOWN, Ohio – The River States Conference announced its 2026 Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll on Thursday on Wednesday, with IU Columbus selected to finish 10th in the standings, as voted on by the league's 10 head coaches.

The Crimson Pride enter the spring under new leadership, with Director of Athletics Zach McClellan serving as interim head coach for the upcoming season. McClellan will be joined by a restructured coaching staff that includes Brian Wichman, Cameron Gross, Zac Rice, Jacob Cutter, Nolan Meier, and student coach Johnny Sewell. Wichman and Gross return from last year's staff, while Meier transitions over from the IU Columbus softball program.

IU Columbus looks to take another step forward in its fourth season of competition, continuing to build a strong foundation within a talented River States Conference.

Oakland City was selected as the preseason favorite, earning 77 points and five first-place votes. IU Southeast followed closely in second with 72 points and three first-place votes, while Shawnee State ranked third with 65 points and two first-place votes. Midway (57) and IU Kokomo (49) rounded out the top five.

Brescia landed in sixth with 44 points, followed by Rio Grande (34), WVU Tech (26), Kentucky Christian (16), and IU Columbus (10).

The Crimson Pride open the 2026 campaign this spring, eager to establish a new standard under McClellan's guidance and compete among the best in the RSC.

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2026 RSC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Oakland City – 77 points (5 first-place votes)

2. IU Southeast – 72 points (3 first-place votes)

3. Shawnee State – 65 points (2 first-place votes)

4. Midway – 57 points

5. IU Kokomo – 49 points

6. Brescia – 44 points

7. Rio Grande – 34 points

8. WVU Tech – 26 points

9. Kentucky Christian – 16 points

10. IU Columbus – 10 points

For the latest news and updates on IU Columbus Crimson Pride Athletics, visit iuccrimsonpride.com or follow @IUCAthletics on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

For the full poll, click here.