Burnsville, Minn. – Minnesota State baseball was projected to finish first in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Thursday.

The defending NSIC Regular Season and Tournament Champions of Minnesota State University, Mankato were the top pick in the 2026 NSIC Preseason Baseball Coaches' Poll. The Mavericks amassed 190 points after receiving eight first place votes (coaches cannot vote for their own team). Augustana was second with 189 points and the other seven first place votes. St. Cloud State was picked third with 163 points while Wayne State was fourth (154) and Sioux Falls was fifth (144). 

The preseason coaches' poll is based off each coach ranking each team with the top team receiving 14 points, second 13, third 12, etc.

The Mavericks finished the 2025 season 51-8 overall, 36-4 NSIC and went 12-1 at Bowyer Field. The season finished in first place in the NSIC Tournament. MSU made its 43^rd all-time appearance in the NCAA Central Regional Tournament where they fell to Pittsburg State 10-8 to end the postseason.

Head coach Matt Magers completed his 17th season as head coach in 2024-25 and has guided the Mavericks to seven Northern Sun Intercollegiate regular-season championships, eight NSIC postseason tournament titles, 15 NCAA tournament appearances and five NCAA regional tournament first-place finishes. His teams have also made four trips to the DII College World Series, where the Mavericks have placed second (2013), third (2014 and 2012) and seventh (2010).

This year's players to watch, selected by the conference were right hand pitcher and infielder Louis Magers (Sr., 6-5, Mankato, Minn., Mankato West) and left-handed pitcher Sam George (Jr., 6-4, Bettendorf, Iowa., Pleasant Valley). Last season Magers earned NCBWA All-America Third Team, D2CCA All-America First Team. He recorded a .319 batting average with 68 hits, 14 doubles, one triple and a program single season record or 20 homeruns. George earned NSIC All-Academic Team. He made 13 appearances, including 12 starts and totaled 60.2 innings pitched. George held an 8-0 record and 2.97 earned run average with 60 strikeouts and 20 walks.

"What excites me most about this team is the balance, a strong core of returners mixed with talented newcomers, including transfers and freshmen. We also have players within our program who have earned the opportunity for bigger roles. Combined with a competitive schedule, it's a group that will be challenged early and continue to grow throughout the season." said head coach Matt Magers

The Mavericks begin the regular season February 13-16 at the Missouri Southern Lion Classic in Joplin, Missouri. MSU will see three opponents, including Indianapolis, McKendree and Missouri Southern. NSIC play will begin February 20 against Jamestown.