CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Eastern Oregon University baseball team has been picked sixth in the 2026 Cascade Collegiate Conference Preseason Poll, released Thursday morning.
The Mountaineers earned 22 points to finish ahead of Warner Pacific (15) and Corban (14). British Columbia topped the poll with 60 points and five first-place votes, followed by Lewis-Clark State (59, three first-place votes), Bushnell (45), Oregon Tech (43), and the College of Idaho (30).
EOU looks to build on last year's 13-36 overall record (9-28 CCC) as it aims for its first postseason appearance since returning from a 14-year hiatus. Despite the losses of
Trevor Baker,
Danny Burns, and
Parker Cumberland, the Mounties return key contributors, including one of the conference's top hitters from last year, along with several talented newcomers.
Graduate student
Mario Landeros will once again lead the lineup after finishing sixth in the CCC in batting average last season, hitting .386 with 64 hits and six home runs. On the mound, right-handers
Alex Farnsworth and
Zakaia Michaels are expected to take on larger roles after combining for 28 appearances and 38 strikeouts out of the bullpen in 2025.
Newcomers Jace Nagler,
Andrew Demianew, and
Easton Corey each bring championship experience and All-NWAC recognition from their respective junior colleges and are anticipated to contribute immediately.
Eastern Oregon wrapped up its fall slate earlier this month and now turns its attention to spring, as the Mountaineers are set to open the 2026 campaign in early February with a three-game series at Park University Gilbert in Arizona.
2026 Cascade Collegiate Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
