The Calvin University baseball team was picked to finish fourth in the MIAA Preseason Poll released by the conference on Tuesday.
 
Calvin received 30 total points in the poll, trailing first-place Adrian College (48 points, six first-place votes), Kalamazoo College (43, 2) and Alma College (35).
 
The Knights finished the 2025 season in second place in the conference with a 15-6 record in league play and a 23-19 mark overall.
 
Under the direction of second-year head coach Joel Schipper, the Knights return a number of key contributors, led by All-MIAA First Team second baseman Gabe Bonemer (Okemos, Mich./Okemos) coming off a season in which he .353 with 12 extra base hits and 12 stolen bases. Noah Swope (Portage, Mich./Portage Central) returns at shortstop, while outfielders Ryan Tschirhart (Clinton, Mich./Clinton), Nate Graham (Lake Odessa, Mich./Lakewood/Kalamazoo Valley CC) and Josh Winkle (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian) return with starting experience. Logan Nelson (Fremont, Mich./Fremont) also returns to lead the group of catchers behind the plate.
 
On the mound, Evan Steinbacher (Sparta, Mich./Sparta), James Ross (Carmel, Ind./Carmel), Cam Seth (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian/Grand Rapids CC) and Drew Diehl (Lansing, Mich./Lansing Catholic Central) return to lead the starting rotation, while Alex DeAngelis (Plymouth, Mich./Salem) recorded four saves last season and leads a strong group of returning arms in the bullpen.
 
Calvin baseball will open its season when it travels to Florida for its annual spring break trip on March 5 with a double header against Bluffton University.
 
2026 MIAA Preseason Poll Results

1. Adrian College (48 points, 6 first-place votes)
2. Kalamazoo College (42, 2)
3. Alma College (35)
4. Calvin University (30)
5. Hope College (27)
6. Albion College (20)
7. Trine University (12)
8. The University of Olivet (9)