2026 WAC Baseball Release - Week 1

TIME FOR THE NEW BASEBALL SEASON
The 2026 NCAA baseball season officially begins on Feb. 13 with nonconference games across the country. All seven WAC baseball members will be in action to kick off the season on opening day, with Tarleton State, Abilene Christian and Sacramento State each hosting games to start the new campaign.

ABILENE CHRISTIAN PREDICTED BY COACHES TO WIN THE WAC
Abilene Christian received three first-place votes and 33 voting points to finish atop the 2026 conference preseason coaches poll. The Wildcats were co-champions of the WAC last season and earned the second seed in the 2025 conference tournament.

UTAH TECH’S KROEPEL NAMED PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Utah Tech junior third baseman/right-handed pitcher Ryan Kroepel was voted the 2026 WAC Preseason Player of the Year. Kroepel was a first-team All-WAC selection in his debut season at Utah Tech in 2025, finishing with a .367 batting average overall in 55 games and a conference-best .467 in WAC games. Kroepel smashed six home runs and drove in 35 runs while scoring 33 times. On the mound, Kroepel was 4-2 with a 3.09 ERA in 19 appearances, earning eight saves. Kroepel limited the opposition to a .256 batting average against over 23.1 innings pitched, walking nine and striking out 14.

CBU’S NEW NAMED WAC PRESEASON PITCHER OF THE YEAR
California Baptist junior pitcher Cody New was named the 2026 WAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. New was an all-conference first team choice last season after posting a 6-3 record and 3.49 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts), adding one save in his lone relief appearance. New limited opposing hitters to a .217 batting average against, walking 31 and striking out 98 over 80 full innings pitched.

ACU AND TARLETON STATE LEAD IN PRESEAON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM SELECTIONS
Utah Tech’s Ryan Kroepel and California Baptist’s Cody New both highlighted the 12-player preseason All-WAC team voted on by the conference’s head coaches. Abilene Christian and Tarleton State led the way with three total selections, followed by California Baptist, UT Arlington and Utah Tech with two choices each.