Harrogate, TN – Lincoln Memorial University baseball earned preseason recognition from the South Atlantic Conference on Tuesday, as the Railsplitters were selected sixth in the 2026 SAC Preseason Poll, released by the league office.

Lincoln Memorial collected one first-place vote and 78 total points, marking one of just three programs outside the top two to receive a vote atop the poll. The Railsplitters were slotted in the top half of the 12-team league entering the 2026 campaign.

In addition to the team recognition, six Lincoln Memorial student-athletes were named to the SAC's Players to Watch list. Those selections include Brooks Hagedorn, Easton Barnett, Alex Kowalski, Brady Morse, Eli Edds, and Caleb Jordan, highlighting the depth of experience and talent returning to and joining the LMU roster. Among the six Railsplitters named Players to Watch, Brooks Hagedorn, Alex Kowalski, and Caleb Jordan return as proven offensive contributors on the sticks. Hagedorn appeared in 40 games with 37 starts, posting a .308 batting average with 11 doubles, two triples, two home runs, and 27 RBI while slugging .483. Kowalski started all 46 games and finished with a .276 average, 47 hits, 40 RBI, and 19 extra-base hits, including five home runs and four triples. Jordan made an immediate impact in limited action, batting .340 over 19 games with a perfect 12-for-12 mark in stolen base attempts. 

On the mound, Easton Barnett and Eli Edds anchor the Railsplitters' preseason Players to Watch selections. Barnett emerged as a dependable option out of the bullpen in 2025, appearing in 19 games and posting a 2.89 ERA across 28.0 innings. He limited opponents to a .223 batting average while recording 19 strikeouts and holding a 1.32 WHIP. Edds returned to the rotation and logged 12 starts, finishing with 69 strikeouts in 64.2 innings. He held opposing hitters to a .253 average while recording two complete games and providing consistent length in conference play. Brady Morse arrives at Lincoln Memorial after two seasons at Bellarmine, where he appeared in 39 games with 20 starts. He recorded a .246 batting average across 69 at-bats, adding three doubles, one home run, and nine RBI while posting a .333 on-base percentage. Morse also showed plate discipline with six walks and four hit-by-pitches, providing additional versatility and depth to the LMU lineup entering the 2026 season.

Catawba was tabbed as the preseason favorite, followed by Lenoir-Rhyne and Carson-Newman, while Lincoln Memorial finished ahead of Newberry, UVA Wise, Anderson, Tusculum, Mars Hill, and Emory & Henry in the poll. 

COMPLETE SAC PRESEASON POLL: