Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Lander University

HOME OF THE LANDER UNIVERSITY BEARCATS #CLAWSUP
Baseball Preseason 2026

Baseball Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

Baseball Picked Third in PBC Preseason Poll

MARTINEZ, Ga. – The defending Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Tournament Champion Lander Baseball team was picked to finish third in the PBC Baseball Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's coaches and announced Friday.

The top three teams were separated by just six total points. Columbus State, Lander's opponent in last year's PBC Championship Series, was selected to top the league with 89 points and five first-place votes. North Georgia, last season's PBC Regular Season Co-Champion alongside Lander, was picked second with 86 points and two first-place votes, while the Bearcats checked in third with 83 points and four first-place votes.

Georgia Southwestern and Georgia College & State University rounded out the top five. Flagler, USC Aiken, and Augusta filled the remaining projected PBC Tournament spots in the top eight. Conference newcomer Middle Georgia was picked ninth, followed by USC Beaufort and Claflin in 10th and 11th, respectively.

The Blue and Gold begin the Nick Popp era after coming off the program's most successful season since 2016. Lander finished 43-15 in 2025, claiming both a share of the regular-season title and the program's first PBC Tournament championship since 2014.

Lander swept through the tournament bracket and championship series, outscoring opponents 43-15 across five games to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016 and the fourth in program history.

The Bearcats open the 2026 season with a three-game series against rival Erskine beginning Friday, January 30, with a single game in Due West, S.C., before opening the home slate Saturday with a doubleheader against the Fleet starting at 1 p.m.

PBC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll
 
Rank Team Points
1. Columbus State (5) 89
2. North Georgia (2) 86
3. Lander (4) 83
4. Georgia Southwestern  71
5. GCSU 62
6. Flagler 58
7. USCA 54
8. Augusta 37
9. Middle Georgia 32
10. USC Beaufort 23
11. Claflin 10
Print Friendly Version