Fairfield Tabbed as MAAC Baseball Preseason Favorite

Stags receive 12 first-place votes in 2026 MAAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Fairfield University has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2026 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) baseball title, according to the league's annual preseason coaches' poll. The Stags received 12 of the 13 first-place votes and a total of 168 points in the poll, finishing ahead of Rider University, which received the other first-place vote and 146 points.

Why it matters

The MAAC preseason poll is an important indicator of how the conference's coaches view the upcoming season and which teams are expected to be the top contenders. Fairfield's selection as the preseason favorite highlights the program's recent success and the high expectations surrounding the team heading into the 2026 campaign.

The details

In addition to being tabbed as the preseason favorite, Fairfield also placed two players on the Preseason All-MAAC Team, including senior outfielder Matthew Bucciero, who was named the Preseason Player of the Year. Other top teams in the poll include Rider, Quinnipiac, and Sacred Heart, all of which received first-place votes or finished in the top half of the standings.

  • The 2026 MAAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll was released on February 9, 2026.

The players

Fairfield University

A private Jesuit university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, known for its successful baseball program that has won multiple MAAC championships.

Matthew Bucciero

A senior outfielder for Fairfield University who was named the 2026 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year.

Rider University

A public university located in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, with a strong baseball program that finished second in the 2026 MAAC preseason poll.

Quinnipiac University

A private university located in Hamden, Connecticut, with a baseball team that was picked to finish third in the 2026 MAAC preseason poll.

Sacred Heart University

A private Catholic university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, with a baseball program that was selected to finish fourth in the 2026 MAAC preseason poll.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited about the opportunity in front of us this season and look forward to competing for another MAAC championship.”

— Matthew Bucciero, Fairfield University Senior Outfielder (Fairfield University Athletics)

What’s next

The 2026 MAAC baseball season will begin in late February, with the conference tournament scheduled for late May to determine the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship.

The takeaway

Fairfield's selection as the MAAC preseason favorite highlights the program's sustained excellence and the high expectations surrounding the team as they aim to capture another conference title and earn a spot in the NCAA tournament.