ORLANDO, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference released its 2026 Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll on Friday, and Lynn University was selected fourth out of 11 teams with 75 points. Conference coaches tabbed reigning national champion Tampa to finish atop the standings once again in 2026, as the Spartans have won the league title in each of the past five seasons.

Tampa received nine first-place votes, while Florida Southern earned the remaining two and finished second. Rollins placed third with 77 points, narrowly edging Lynn in the preseason poll.

The Fighting Knights are coming off a 30-win campaign in 2025 that included a trip to the NCAA Regional. Head coach Rudy Garbalosa returns several key pieces from a season ago, highlighted by First Team All-SSC selections Ryan DiMaggio and Amaris Harrison.

Lynn opens its home schedule on Friday, Jan. 30, against Wingate at 2 p.m. Sunshine State Conference play begins Friday, Feb. 27, when the Fighting Knights host Tampa in a three-game series.
 
2026 SSC Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll 
Rank / School (FPV) / Total Points 
  1. Tampa (9) - 99
  2. Florida Southern (2) - 92 
  3. Rollins - 77
  4. Lynn - 75 
  5. Nova Southeastern - 65
  T6. Barry - 44
  T6. Florida Tech - 44 
  8. Embry-Riddle - 41 
  9. Saint Leo - 27
  10. Palm Beach Atlantic - 21 
  11. Eckerd - 20