CLINTON, Miss. --- The MC baseball program enters the 2026 season with national attention, as the Choctaws were ranked No. 21 in the NCAA Division II Preseason Coaches Poll released by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

The poll, presented by Netting Professionals, places MC among the nation's top programs following a 35-23 campaign in 2025 that included an NCAA Tournament appearance. MC earned 92 points in the preseason rankings.

The Choctaws are one of just 30 teams nationally to receive votes and one of the highest-ranked programs from the Gulf South Conference entering the new season.

The Blue and Gold open the 2026 campaign with an immediate test, hosting No. 30 Indianapolis in a nationally-ranked opening-weekend match-up beginning Friday, Jan. 30. The series features two teams that combined for 69 wins a season ago and advanced to postseason play.

Defending national champion Tampa (Fla.) opens the year atop the preseason poll, followed by Central Missouri and Lenoir-Rhyne. Five programs from the South Region are ranked inside the top 15, highlighting the depth of competition Mississippi College will face throughout the season.

First pitch for the 2026 season is 12 p.m. at Frierson Field at Dickins-Scoper Stadium.