Despite making the NCAA Division II playoffs and earning a first-round victory last season, the University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball team was picked fifth in the 2026 Great American Conference preseason poll.
The Boll Weevils were 33-22 overall and 21-12 in the GAC last season. They made the semifinals of the conference tournament and earned a second straight trip to the Central Regional, winning their opening game against tournament host Minnesota State-Mankato, but losing its last two to Pittsburg State of Kansas and Minnesota State. They are bringing back two-time All-GAC player Camden Tanner, who hit .296 with a .422 on-base percentage and drove in 36 runs.
UAM was third in Great American standings last season, trailing regular-season champion Arkansas Tech by 2.5 games and second-place Southern Arkansas by one. Fourth-seeded Harding won the Great American tournament.
Arkansas Tech, with six first-place votes, was picked as the favorite in 2026. The Wonder Boys return three All-GAC selections in first baseman Tyler Sardelli (10 home runs in 2025), shortstop Cole Dawson (.390 batting average in 2025) and starting pitcher Daniel Hutchison (9-2, 75 strikeouts in 2025).
Harding, with five first-place votes, was selected second, followed by Southern Arkansas (one first-place vote), Henderson, UAM, Ouachita Baptist, Northwestern Oklahoma State, Oklahoma Baptist, Southeastern Oklahoma State, Southwestern Oklahoma State, East Central and Southern Nazarene.
The GAC announced two sites, David Allen Memorial Ballpark in Enid, Okla., and Majestic Park in Hot Springs, will host the first weekend of its championship tournament, starting April 30. The remaining higher seed will host the best-of-three final starting May 7.
UAM will start its season at Majestic Park on Jan. 30 in the Dugan Invitational. The Weevils will take on Fort Hays State of Kansas that day, Pitt State on Jan. 31 and Missouri Southern on Feb. 1. Their home opener is set for Feb. 3 against Christian Brothers of Memphis.