While the crack of the bat is still a few weeks away for most of the country, today marks several major operational and honorary milestones across all divisions of college baseball. From scholarship shifts in the Big Ten to preseason honors in the MIAA, the 2026 season is officially coming into focus.
Division I: Scholarship Shifts and Leadership Honors
Rutgers Launches Landmark Scholarship Campaign
In a move reflecting the rapidly changing landscape of NCAA roster and scholarship rules, Rutgers Baseball announced the launch of a new annual giving campaign today. With the NCAA recently eliminating traditional scholarship limits—allowing programs to fund up to 34 scholarships—the Scarlet Knights are seeking to raise $50,000 immediately to remain competitive in the Big Ten. Head Coach Steve Owens emphasized that this fund will “determine who takes the field” as the program pushes for an NCAA Regional return.
Toledo Names Captains for 2026 Campaign
The Toledo Rockets officially announced their leadership for the upcoming season today. Junior shortstop Charlie Scholvin (a repeat captain) and redshirt junior Troy Sudbrook were voted by their peers to lead the squad. Scholvin is coming off a massive 2025 season where he hit .305, while Sudbrook started all 61 games for the Rockets last year.
LSU Remains Preseason Giant
Though announced earlier this week, the industry continues to buzz today over the Baseball America Preseason Poll, which ranks LSU at No. 2 nationally. Following their 2025 National Championship, Jay Johnson’s squad is now ranked in the Top 2 of every major publication (except for the excluded D1Baseball). The Tigers open their defense on February 13 against Milwaukee.
Division II & NAIA: Milestones and Openers
The Defending Perfect Champions Take the Field
In a rare January opening day, LSU Shreveport (LSUS) begins its 2026 season today, January 22. The Pilots are coming off the first-ever flawless 59-0 campaign in college baseball history (all levels). They open a home doubleheader at Pilot Field this afternoon, carrying a record-breaking 59-game winning streak.
NCAA Power Index (NPI) Adopted
A significant update for Division II fans: following the NCAA Convention, it has been confirmed that the NPI (NCAA Power Index) will officially take over as the data-driven tool for championship selections. This shift aims to remove regional bias and provide transparency in how the DII World Series field is set.
Division III: Preseason Rankings
Adrian College Cracks Top 20
The Adrian Bulldogs have been ranked No. 20 in the first major DIII preseason poll of 2026. Coming off a 30-win season and a trip to the NCAA Regionals, the Bulldogs are the only representative from the MIAA in the Top 25. They are set to face a gauntlet this year, including matchups against No. 2 Endicott and No. 3 Denison.
Collegiate Summer Leagues
New Franchise: The Meridian Blues
The Mid-America League officially announced its newest member this week, the Meridian Blues. The team will play its home games at Skaggs Field (Meridian Community College) starting in the summer of 2026, bringing high-level collegiate wood-bat ball back to East Mississippi.
Disclaimer: This information was researched and curated with the assistance of AI, but reviewed and verified by a human.
