BRISTOL, Tenn. – King University will enter the 2026 baseball season looking to outperform expectations after being selected 11th in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll. The rankings, released Friday by the league office, reflect a competitive field led by two programs with recent championship pedigree.
North Greenville University and Francis Marion University share the top spot in the poll, each earning 149 points and four first-place votes. Francis Marion captured a share of its first regular-season title last spring, while North Greenville had claimed the previous three regular-season crowns. Young Harris followed closely in third with 145 points and three first-place votes, and Belmont Abbey—fresh off its 2025 tournament championship—earned 136 points and three first-place votes to land fourth. Mount Olive rounded out the top five with 126 points.
King received 48 points in the poll, placing the Tornado ahead of Southern Wesleyan, Chowan, and Ferrum. The preseason ranking presents a challenge, but it also provides a clear opportunity for the program to climb the standings as the season unfolds.
King's Recognized Athletes
Three Tornado players were named to the league's 2026 Players to Watch list:
- Ben Hale, Sophomore, RHP, Cedar Bluff, Virginia
- Mitchell Kahlenberg, Junior, RHP, Waxhaw, North Carolina
- Josh Nuno, Senior, OF, San Jose, California
Their recognition highlights the individual talent within the roster and underscores the potential for meaningful development throughout the spring.
A Deep and Competitive Conference Field
The 2026 preseason poll reflects a league with significant depth and balance. North Greenville and Francis Marion headline the conference with strong returning cores, while Young Harris and Belmont Abbey form a formidable upper tier capable of contending for both regular-season and tournament titles. Mount Olive, UNC Pembroke, Emmanuel, and Barton anchor a competitive middle group, each returning key contributors.
Shorter, Erskine, and King make up the next cluster of programs seeking to break into the upper half of the standings, while Southern Wesleyan, Chowan, and Ferrum round out the poll. With so many teams capable of producing strong results, the upcoming season is expected to feature tight series and competitive weekends across the league.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Conference Carolinas Baseball Championship is scheduled for April 29–May 4 at CaroMont Health Park and Sims Legion Park in Gastonia, North Carolina. As the Tornado prepare for the spring campaign, the team will look to blend returning experience with emerging talent in hopes of outperforming their preseason placement.
