KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Fort Hays State baseball team is ranked sixth in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released Friday (Jan. 23) by the conference office.
 
Defending national runner-up Central Missouri tops the poll, with Pittsburg State slotted second. The Tigers picked up 92 points in the voting process, one behind fifth-ranked Washburn and five back of fourth-ranked Missouri Southern.
 
This is the second-straight year that the Tigers have been slotted sixth in the poll. FHSU finished last season 32-16 overall and 26-10 in conference play. The Tigers entered the final weekend of the regular season tied for first in the league standings before finishing third in the league.
 
The 2025 season was the first 30-win campaign for the program since 2010. FHSU's 32 wins were the most for the team since 2007 while the 16 losses were the fewest for the squad since 2004.
 
The Tigers return 12 players from last season while head coach Justin Wichert has added 27 newcomers to this year's roster, including 15 transfers and 12 freshmen. Three returners earned All-MIAA honors last season, including first team relief pitcher Brandon Chavez, second team designated hitter Derek Woolwine and honorable mention second baseman Tony Moore.
 
Wichert is entering his fourth season at the helm at FHSU. He was the 2025 Steve Anson MIAA Coach of the Year and has guided the Tigers to a 77-72 record over the last three seasons. Including four years as skipper at Trinidad State College, Wichert holds a collegiate head coaching record of 189-155 across seven seasons.
 
Fort Hays State will open the season with two trips to Arkansas before playing at home for the first time on Valentine's Day. The Tigers will first play in the Mike Dugan Collegiate Baseball Invitational January 30-February 1 before returning to the Natural State for the Henderson State Invitational. FHSU will first play at home on February 14 when the Tigers host Colorado School of Mines.
 
2026 MIAA BASEBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Central Missouri [12] – 144 points
2. Pittsburg State – 125 points
3. Central Oklahoma – 115 points
4. Missouri Southern [1] – 97 points
5. Washburn – 93 points
6. Fort Hays State – 92 points
7. Rogers State – 82 points
8. Emporia State – 72 points
9. Northwest Missouri – 67 points
10. Missouri Western – 50 points
11. Northeastern State – 32 points
12. Arkansas-Fort Smith – 25 points
13. Newman – 20 points
[#] - First Place Votes