PAINESVILLE, Ohio -- The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) announced today the 2026 baseball preseason coaches poll with Lake Erie finishing sixth in the North Division.
In the North division, Northwood, the 2025 G-MAC North division champions, tournament champions, and Midwest region champions, are favored with 63 points, including seven first-place votes. In second place is Ashland, NCAA Midwest region qualifier, with a total of 61 points, including five first-place votes. Following Ashland, Hillsdale claims third place with 41 points and Findlay claims fourth place with two less points at 39. Completing the North division is Tiffin in fifth with 31 points and Lake Erie in sixth with 17 points.
In the South division, Walsh, the defending South division champions, are favored with a total of 63 points, including seven first-place votes. Kentucky Wesleyan secures second place with 60 points, including five first-place votes, followed by Ohio Dominican securing third place, with 48 points. Next, Cedarville occupies fourth place with 35 points. Malone takes fifth with 24 points and Thomas More takes sixth with 22 points to complete the South division.
The Storm reached the 20-win mark for the first time since 2019 with a 21-26 overall record and 13-19 in the G-MAC, missing out on a G-MAC tournament berth by one game. 2025 marked a two-win improvement overall and a two-win improvement in the G-MAC from 2024.
The 2026 squad features a roster with plenty of turnover from the 2025 team due to graduation and the transfer portal. Of the 44 players on the roster, half are returning from last year and half are freshman or the transfer portal. First-year head coach Shaine Carpenter knows the returners are going to continue to perform, but he is ready to see the new guys step up and compete for the Storm.
"While the logo is the same, this is the first year over half of this team is wearing it," said Carpenter. "I'm excited to see our returners continue to perform at a high level, and I can't wait to watch our new guys compete."
Returning and leading the way for position players is junior
Travis Yankovich, who appeared in and started 41 games, led the team in batting average (.319), and OPS (.875). Also returning is junior
Micah Geise, who appeared in 38 games and starting 35 games, posting an on base percentage of .388. Returning on the mound is senior
Dominic Poltrone, who returns to the rotation after appearing in 13 games, 12 starts throwing one complete game and having 3-4 record with a 6.12 ERA in 57.1 innings. Another key arm returning is redshirt sophomore
Hunter Bays, who appeared in 13 games and had a 1-1 record with a 5.68 ERA in 19 innings.
The 2026 schedule for the Storm sees five of their non-conference opponents who made their respective conference tournaments in 2025, including Fairmont State, who appeared in their first NCAA tournament, and reached one of the Atlantic Region finals. The G-MAC schedule sees the Storm facing seven teams who advanced to the conference tournament.
Lake Erie begin their season on January 31st at Barton. G-MAC play begins on Saturday, March 14th at Ohio Dominican. The home opener will be on Friday, March 20th against Cedarville.
2026 G-MAC Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll
North Division
| 1. Northwood (7) |
63 |
| 2. Ashland (5) |
61 |
| 3. Hillsdale |
41 |
| 4. Findlay |
39 |
| 5. Tiffin |
31 |
| 6. Lake Erie |
17 |
South Division
| 1. Walsh (7) |
63 |
| 2. Kentucky Wesleyan (5) |
60 |
| 3. Ohio Dominican |
48 |
| 4. Cedarville |
35 |
| 5. Malone |
24 |
| 6. Thomas More |
22 |
