DIVISION II TEAM PREVIEWS | DAY 7 OF 8

⚾️ PACIFIC REGION

With the 2025 regional champion Cal Miramar moved up to Division 1, the Pacific region looks to find a new champion. With a three-peat from the years prior and a regional appearance last year as the one seed, Grand Canyon assumes to be the favorite again for this upcoming 2026 season. However, Santa Clara, who made the regional last year as the two seed are ready to head back to Palm Springs. They’ve returned 17 players from last year and are looking for their first World Series appearance in program history. Spotlighted by players such as Gavin Brunsman and Tyler Page, this team could be the team to beat down the stretch.

With some of these clubs playing their first conference series here in a couple weeks, we’ll get a good look early on who the top contenders are. Schools such as CSU-San Marcos, Southern Utah, and Cal Poly-Humboldt all just missed out on a regional appearance. But with two out of the four regional teams now in Division 1, we will be seeing some new colors competing for a World Series appearance.

While on the topic of new colors, the Pacific-North has added two new NCBA schools into the conference: Menlo and UC-Santa Cruz. Both of these schools are pumped to be a part of this conference and are ready to make noise in the North. In the Central, the welcome USC, who replaced Cal Miramar’s spot, from Division 1.

Will Grand Canyon continue their dynasty? Or will a new team make a postseason run?

Be sure to check all the Pacific Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division II Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 29th!!!

DIVISION II TEAM PREVIEWS | DAY 6 OF 8

⚾️ NORTHERN PLAINS REGION

After a spectacular World Series run by UW-La Crosse and eventually 2025 champion, now moved up to Division 1, the Northern Plains is wide-open this year with a plethora of contenders. Highlighted with big fall seasons from numerous teams, this spring season will be highly anticipated to watch as each conference is still up for grabs.

In the Central, Northern Iowa (6-0) has a perfect fall season and are atop of the standings with Wisconsin (5-1) only game out. Northern Iowa, new to D2 this season after dropping from D1, control their own destiny with only two conference series left in the spring. Their biggest series will come against Wisconsin in mid-April which will most likely determine the winner of the Northern Plains-Central.

In the East, Grand Valley (5-1) with Eastern Michigan (3-1) sitting in second place. Both clubs expect to be very competitive this spring and have high expectations this season. Western Michigan (3-3), who sits in third, will need some help this spring season, but the Broncos won’t go away quietly and feel they have the squad to make a postseason push.

Lastly in the West, 2025 at-large bid, St. Thomas (4-2), is currently in first place above a three-way tie for second between UW-River Falls (3-3), North Dakota State (3-3), and defending Northern Plains-West champ North Dakota (3-3). This Northern Plains conference certainly has the closest race for the conference title. With big series in the spring, between all the schools, the West could be anyone’s.

What is your regional prediction for the Northern Plains?

Be sure to check all the Northern Plains Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division II Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 29th!!!

DIVISION II TEAM PREVIEWS | DAY 5 OF 8

⚾️ NEW PENN REGION

Home to the 2023 World Series Champions, Ohio State, the New Penn consistently brings great competition to the region and to the World Series. After a fantastic run by the now DI club, West Virginia, the New Penn looks for a new champion. Previously won in ’24 and ’23 by Ohio State and ’22 by Cal (PA), both clubs have expectations for this year.

In the Central, the welcome two new clubs, Penn State (3-0) and Slippery Rock (3-5). Moving from the New England region, Penn State looks to continue their top seed run in a new conference, but standing in their way is Penn-West (5-1). They’re ready to take the Central and sit atop of the New Penn. Their series in late March will be highly anticipated and have a lot of postseason implications.

After making the championship game last year in the New Penn regional, Salisbury (2-1) is looking to head back to win the New Penn and head to the World Series for the first time since 2017. Tied in first with them currently is Longwood (2-1) and with only a game out sits Christopher Newport (1-2) and James Madison (1-2). This conference could be anyone’s come April.

The West features three clubs that had a very strong fall season: Ohio State (5-1), Indiana (7-2), Ball State (4-2). Ohio State is looking to continue their New Penn-West dynasty run while Indiana is ready for revenge and is ready to dethrone the champs. Their series in early March will be one to watch for. But a dark horse in Ball State feel like they have the talent to make a run and head to the New Penn regionals for the first time.

Who do you think wins it all in the New Penn?

Be sure to check all the New Penn Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division II Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 29th!!!

DIVISION II TEAM PREVIEWS | DAY 4 OF 8

⚾️ NEW ENGLAND REGION

One of the biggest regions in Division II, the New England region produces great competition throughout the Northeast. With a surprise ’25 champion, Bryant, they look to repeat again as champions. But with strong fall seasons from a plethora of teams, the New England is anyone’s game.

The Central features three teams who currently have an above average .500 record: Sacred Heart (5-1), Marist (6-3), Fordham (4-2). After a strong season last year, Sacred Heart looks to head back to regionals, this time in the New England after moving regions from the Chesapeake. Marist looks to repeat as the one seed after a spectacular 2025 season. Fordham, who won the New England in 2022, is ready to reclaim the New England title.

In the East, UMass-Lowell (2-0) currently sits atop of the standings with Rhode Island in second (5-1). The Rams who had a very strong fall, still has to face last years top two teams in Bentley and Bryant. With a plentiful amount of conference games left in this conference no lead is safe and every game will matter.

In the West, we have another three team race between Brockport (8-1), Cortland (4-2), and Syracuse (4-2).  After winning the inaugural 2025 Cortland Fall tournament, Cortland is ready to make a huge playoff run and won’t be settling for anything this year. However, with an amazing fall half from Brockport, they are looking like the frontrunners this year in the New England-West. Though their biggest series are still yet to come against Cortland and Syracuse in late March/early April.

Will Bryant repeat as champs?

Be sure to check all the New England Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division II Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 29th!!!

DIVISION II TEAM PREVIEWS | DAY 3 OF 8

⚾️ GREAT AMERICAN REGION

After back-to-back World Series appearances from Houston-Downtown, they look for the three-peat this upcoming season. In last year’s regional, UHD went on a four-game win streak to secure their second consecutive title after losing their first game to Kansas State. With 14 returning players from last year’s one seed, Lone Star is looking to repeat as back-to-back Great American-South champions and look for their first World Series appearance. As UHD’s biggest rival, they look to dethrone the reigning champs.

In the North, Kansas State and Arkansas both look to head back to regionals with a lot of young and new players. Both hope for strong postseason runs and are excited with the young talent they have. However, with the newly reformed North, St. Louis and WashU both look to make some noise with many returning players and solid freshmen.

The newly formed Great American-Central will be anyone’s conference this season. Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Stephen. F Austin, and TCU look for turnaround seasons to grab the first every Great American-Central title. However, new club Louisiana-Lafayette is ready to make some noise in the NCBA.

Will Houston-Downtown go for the three-peat? Will a new winner arise?

Be sure to check all the Great American Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division II Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 29th!!!

DIVISION II TEAM PREVIEWS | DAY 2 OF 8

⚾️ DIXIE REGION

After a cinderella run by Embry-Riddle last season finishing as the Dixie champion with a 2-2 record in the World Series, they are looking to bounce back as repeat Dixie champions. With 21 returning players and returning stars, Joseph Raleigh and Alijah Haynes, they are wanting to do just that. However, with the edition of three new clubs (Clemson, Georgia, and North Florida) and the reigning DIII champion, Craven CC, moving up to Division II, the Dixie just got a whole lot more competitive. With the Dixie being split into three conferences now, only one at-large team will be eligible to compete in regionals in an already stacked region.

Teams like Tampa, Georgia Southern, and South Carolina who all qualified in 25’ are ready to head back and win it all this year. New teams such as Clemson and Georgia are ready to make some noise and make it to regionals.

Will Embry-Riddle repeat as champions, or will a new team be crowned?

Be sure to check all the Dixie Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division II Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 29th!!!

DIVISION II TEAM PREVIEWS | DAY 1 OF 8

⚾️ CHESAPEAKE REGION

After a dominant two-year run by West Chester, now moved up to Division 1, the Chesapeake is looking to crown a new champion. With a brand-new realignment for the 25-26’ season, the Chesapeake region is wide open. After a competitive first half fall, six teams finished with an above .500 record.

In the Central, Millersville (4-2) and Villanova (4-2) lead the conference with TCNJ (1-2) still lurking in second place. With their conference moving from 7 to 5 teams, every game is going to matter moving forward.

In the North, Stony Brook (4-2) and 25’ regional qualifier Rutgers (4-2) both sit atop of the standings with Stevens Tech (3-3) and Adelphi (3-3) both one-game out of first. This conference could be the closest race out in the Chesapeake.

The South features two teams atop of the conference standings who both had a red-hot fall Maryland (3-0) and Stevenson (6-0). With tons of returning players between each clubs their rivalry matchup in early March will be one to watch for as that could decide the winner of the Chesapeake-South.

Be sure to check all the Chesapeake Team Previews to see how everyone’s looking heading into the Spring 2026 season!

We’ll be releasing 1 region a day through next Wednesday, as the 2026 Rawlings Division II Preseason Rankings drop Thursday the 29th!!!