MACOMB, Ill. – Western Illinois University baseball was selected 10th in the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Predicted Order of Finish, as voted on by the league's head coaches and communications directors, the conference announced Wednesday.
2026 OVC Baseball Predicted Order of Finish
1. SIUE (10 first-place votes) - 137 points
2. Southeast Missouri (3) - 136
3. Eastern Illinois (4) - 132
4. Little Rock (3) - 122
5. Tennessee Tech - 98
6. Lindenwood - 86
7. Southern Indiana - 70
8. UT Martin - 54
9. Morehead State - 37
10. Western Illinois - 28
SIUE claimed the top spot in the preseason poll, receiving 10 first-place votes and 137 points, narrowly edging Southeast Missouri (136 points). Eastern Illinois, Little Rock, Tennessee Tech, Lindenwood, Southern Indiana, UT Martin and Morehead State rounded out the poll ahead of the Leathernecks.
Despite being tabbed 10th, Western Illinois returns a key veteran presence and features emerging talent that will look to make an impact during the 2026 campaign.
Fifth-year outfielder Liam Bushey returns after earning All-OVC recognition in 2025, serving as the Leathernecks' lone returning first- or second-team All-Conference selection. Bushey brings experience, consistency, and leadership to the Western Illinois lineup.
The Leathernecks were also represented among the OVC's 2026 Players to Watch, with Kenneth Perez, a sophomore infielder, and Max Tripure, a senior right-handed pitcher, earning preseason recognition. Perez emerged as a key piece of the infield a season ago and continues to develop offensively, while Tripure anchors the pitching staff with veteran presence and reliability on the mound.
The preseason poll awarded teams nine points for a first-place vote, eight points for a second-place vote, and so on.
Western Illinois opens the 2026 season looking to exceed expectations and compete throughout the conference slate, building around its experienced core and rising contributors.
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