BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – After winning the 2025 Regular Season Gulf South Conference Championship for the 28
th time in program history, the Delta State University Baseball has been picked to finish second in the 2026 Gulf South Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll released this afternoon by the conference office.
The Statesmen received two first place votes along with 102 votes just behind preseason favorite West Florida who received 117 points and eight first place votes.
Delta State enters the 2026 season looking to build on the 2025 season with a new look to the roster as DSU will add 28 newcomers looking to replace the senior class of 23 last season.
Three Statesmen are on the newcomers to watch list highlighted by senior right-handed pitcher
Mason Shropshire. Shropshire transferred to Delta State from the division I level where he played at UT Martin. As a Skyhawk, Shropshire made 23 appearances in the 2025 season where he held a 3-2 record, struck out 26 batters and held opposing hitters to a .257 batting average.
Second newcomer to watch will be a senior outfielder
Cade Greer. Greer also transferred to Delta State from the division I level where he played right up the road at the University of Memphis. As a Tiger, Greer played in 41 games and started in 31 of them where he held a .284 batting average with nine doubles three home runs and put pressure on the base paths with seven stolen bags on the year.
The third newcomer to watch is a freshman third baseman
Cael Allen. Allen comes to Delta State from Collierville, Tenn., where he is tied fifth all-time in Collierville High School history in career doubles, was named the Dual Sport Athlete of the Year and was the Rookie of the year.
The Gulf South Conference also released the returners to watch list, and the Statesmen had three members on that including sophomore right-handed pitcher
Aidan McCrady. McCrady had a stellar freshman season for the Statesmen where he had appeared in 11 games with six starts including a start in the NCAA Regional against Florida Southern. McCrady posted a 2-3 record with 17 strikeouts including a five-strikeout performance in his first career start against Ouachita Baptist.
Our second member on the returners to watch is senior infielder
Jacob Hill. The Byhalia native returns for his senior season after playing in 32 games and starting in 27 in the 2025 season. In the 2025 season, Hill had a .273 batting average with six doubles a triple and two home runs. Hill was a threat on the base paths as he had the second most stolen bags of any Statesmen in the 2025 season with 13.
The third returner to watch for the Statesmen in the 2026 season is senior infielder
Bo Rock. Rock played in 28 games and started in 19 last season for the green and white where he had a .274 batting average with four doubles and three home runs including a grand slam in a 15-7 win over Valdosta State in Harvey Stadium at Ferriss Field.
The Statesmen will kick off their 2026 season in two weeks here at Harvey Stadium at Ferriss Field as they will host the Bisons from Harding University on Friday January 30
th at 2:00 p.m. (CT).
Here's a look at the GSC Preseason Coaches' Poll Below.
2026 GSC Baseball Preseason Poll
1. West Florida (8) - 117 pts
2. Delta State (2) - 102 pts
3. Mississippi College (1) - 100 pts
4. Valdosta State (1) - 87 pts
5. Lee - 79 pts
6. West Alabama - 77 pts
7. Montevallo - 73 pts
8. Trevecca Nazarene - 49 pts
9. AUM - 34 pts
10. UAH - 32 pts
11. Union - 30 pts
12. Christian Brothers - 12 pts
First-place votes in parentheses
