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!!!