WALESKA, Ga.— According to a release from the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tuesday afternoon, the Montreat College baseball team is anticipated to qualify for the league's postseason tournament next spring. In the 2026 edition of the AAC Baseball Coaches' Preseason Poll, the Cavaliers landed seventh out of 12 squads.
 
Picking up 73 points in the voting process, the Cavs sat just three points back of the University of Pikeville and 16 points ahead of Columbia International University. Tennessee Wesleyan University racked up 10 first-place votes and 131 points as the league's preseason favorite.
 
Last season, Montreat notched a 21-32 record across all competitions, including an 11-19 record in conference play. During the regular season, the Cavaliers captured a thrilling come-from-behind 9-8 victory over then No. 1-ranked TWU. Head Coach Jason Beck also registered his 200^th win leading the Cavs thanks to a walk-off three-run blast versus the University of St. Francis. In the postseason, Montreat played as the No. 10 seed and knocked out eighth-seeded St. Andrews University in an elimination matchup. Ultimately, the Cavaliers went 1-2 at the 2025 AAC Tournament.
 
The AAC Baseball Coaches' Preseason Poll was voted on by the head coaches of institutions in the league. Teams garnered 12 points for a first-place vote, 11 for second place, 10 for third place and so on until all 12 programs were ranked. The standings were then organized by most points received to least points received.
 
Montreat is currently slated to open its 2026 regular season on Thursday, Jan. 29 at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla.
 
2026 AAC Baseball Coaches' Preseason Poll
School (First-Place Votes) – Total Voting Points
1. Tennessee Wesleyan (10) – 131 points
2. Reinhardt (1) – 118 points
3. Johnson (1) – 115 points
4. Milligan – 104 points
5. Bryan – 88 points
6. Pikeville – 76 points
7. Montreat – 73 points
8. Columbia International – 57 points
9. Bluefield – 55 points
10. Spartanburg Methodist – 50 points
11. Truett McConnell – 28 points
12. Union Commonwealth – 27 points