KANSAS CITY, Mo.- The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason rankings for the 2026 baseball season. Central Missouri grabbed the top spot followed by Pittsburg State. Newman took 13th spot in the coaches poll.
2026 MIAA BASEBALL COACHES POLL
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
Coach Lance Spongberg is entering his first season as head coach with the Jets. Previously, Spongberg was an assistant coach and pitching coach for Southeastern University where he led the team to a NAIA National Championship Game in 2025. Before the success at Southeastern, Spongberg spent three seasons as an assistant coach at William Jewell College helping them earn their first GLVC postseason tournament appearance. In his time as a collegiate baseball coach, Spongberg has coached over 30 All-Conference players including an All-American pitcher this past season. Last year, the Jets posted an overall record of 10-36. The Jets took six conference wins in the season with the first being Arkansas Fort-Smith and the last of the season against Fort Hays State. The Jets are returning thirteen players, returners expected to make an impact for the Jets include Nicolas Ely and Louis Coca. Key players returning on the mound for the Jets include Alex Gillig, Gavin Wakefield, Andrew Hudson, and Fran Montanez.
The Jets will Kick off their season in Ada Oklahoma against East Central on January 31st. They will then return home for twelve games. First against MSU Denver on February 6th and the last opening conference play with a series against Washburn on February 20th-22nd. Then, Newman will hit the road for two conference games against Pittsburg State on February 24th and a series with Central Missouri on February 27th-March 1st. The Jets will finish the road stretch with a series against Northeastern State in the first weekend of March. Returning home, the Jets will continue MIAA conference play against Pittsburg State and Arkansas Fort-Smith. The Jets will hit the road for a midweek game against Missouri Southern on March 17th. Following a series at home against Rogers State, Newman will round out March away with a series against MoWest on March 27th-29th and return home for a midweek game against Missouri Southern on March 31st. Opening April, Newman will continue conference play at home with a series against Emporia State on April 2nd-4th and Central Oklahoma on April 10th-12th. The Jets will have an away midweek game on April 14th against Missouri Southern before returning home for their last conference series against Northwest Missouri on April 24th-26th. Newman will finish their season on the road against Pittsburg State on April 28th and travel to Fort Hays State on April 30th-May 2nd.
