Baseball ranked 20th in NAIA Preseason Coaches Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After a historic year in 2025, the Texas A&M University-Victoria baseball team is starting the 2026 season off with some more history.

The Jaguars were ranked No. 20 in the 2026 NAIA Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll on Wednesday after going 38-17 last year and setting the new program record for wins in a single season. It's the first time A&M-Victoria has been ranked in the preseason poll after receiving votes in last year's preseason poll.

A&M-Victoria reached the NAIA Opening Round for the second time in three years last year and finished second in the Red River Athletic Conference.

"I'm excited to see us in the rankings to start the year," said fourth-year head coach Jonathan Stavinoha. "That always helps create excitement, but we're ready to go to work this year and see how far up we can climb. We've got a good team this year and I'm looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish this season."

The Jaguars return 18 players from last year's team which made it to the Lawrenceville Bracket of the NAIA Opening Round, including three All-RRAC selections in outfielder Terry Burrel III (First Team, Gold Glove), right-handed pitcher Jonathan Jones (First Team) and infielder DeeAndre Torres (Second Team).

Also returning is junior RHP Jacob Baker, of Cuero, after a standout summer with the Acadiana Cane Cutters in the Texas Collegiate League. Baker, a 2024 All-RRAC selection hurled 41.2 innings with a 0.65 ERA and 35 strikeouts to earn Co-Pitcher of the Year honors in the TCL.

The Jaguars open their annual intersquad Fall World Series on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Riverside Stadium.