BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The West Liberty University baseball team was picked to finish fourth in the North Division of the Mountain East Conference, according to the league's 2026 preseason poll released Tuesday afternoon.

The poll was compiled through a vote of the MEC's 11 head coaches, with coaches not permitted to vote for their own teams.

West Liberty is coming off a 23-26 overall campaign in 2025, including a 13-14 mark in conference play. The Hilltoppers return to the field looking to build on last season's experience as they navigate another competitive MEC slate.

Frostburg State was selected as the preseason favorite in the North Division, earning eight first-place votes after finishing 36-17 overall and 18-10 in league play a season ago. Point Park, the defending MEC Tournament champion, was picked second with three first-place votes, followed by Fairmont State. Wheeling rounded out the North Division poll.

In the South Division, Charleston was tabbed as the favorite after receiving eight of the 11 first-place votes. Concord and West Virginia State also picked up first-place votes, finishing second and third, respectively, in the poll.

The Hilltoppers open their season Feb. 6 against Francis Marion in Florence, S.C. 

2026 Mountain East Conference Baseball Preseason Poll

North Division

1. Frostburg State – 47 (8)
    

2. Point Park – 41 (3)
    

3. Fairmont State – 32
    

4. West Liberty – 20
    

5. Wheeling – 16
    

South Division

1. Charleston – 56 (8)
    

2. Concord – 49 (2)
    

3. West Virginia State – 45 (1)
    

4. Glenville State – 30
    

5. West Virginia Wesleyan – 21
    

6. Davis & Elkins – 20
    

( ) denotes first-place votes