BIRMINGHAM, Ala. --- With the 2026 season approaching, the Gulf South Conference released its preseason coaches' poll, along with its returner and newcomer watch lists, on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
 
Fresh off a regional final appearance, Mississippi College was picked third in the preseason poll and earned one of the league's 12 first-place votes. The Choctaws finished just two points behind in-state rival Delta State, which collected two first-place votes and totaled 102 points.
 
MC also placed three players on the GSC returners to watch list, all right-handed pitchers: Caleb Peterson, Coby Gollott and Dylan Cope.
 
Gollott ranked ninth in the conference in saves last season with five, appearing in 25 games while posting a 3-3 record and a 5.63 ERA. The Ocean Springs, Miss., native struck out 33 batters in 32.0 innings.
 
Cope made 23 relief appearances and finished 2-1 with a 2.87 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. The Jacksonville, Fla., product recorded 16 strikeouts in 37.2 innings and earned one save.
 
Peterson went 6-5 across 16 appearances, including 15 starts. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native logged 74.1 innings, struck out 72 and posted a 4.60 ERA.
 
On the newcomers to watch list, Tyler Swann, Jake LaRocca and Connor Pittman were recognized as players to watch this season.
 
LaRocca arrives from Louisiana Tech after a standout prep career at St. Louis Catholic High School, where he was a two-time district MVP, two-time first-team all-state selection and LBCA All-Region honoree. He was also ranked as the No. 5 catcher and No. 34 overall player in Louisiana.
 
Pittman comes to Clinton after pitching at Memphis in 2025, posting a 2-1 record with 13 strikeouts in 16 innings. He began his collegiate career at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, earning third-team All-MACCC honors and compiling an 11-10 record with four complete games over two seasons.
 
Swann joins the Choctaws from Atascocita High School in Texas, where he recorded a 1.17 ERA and 50 strikeouts.
 
West Florida topped the poll with eight first-place votes and 117 points, followed by Valdosta State, Lee, and West Alabama. Montevallo, Trevecca Nazarene, AUM, UAH, Union and Christian Brothers rounded out the poll.
 
MC opens the 2026 season on Friday, Jan. 30, hosting Indianapolis in a four-game series. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.

---

2026 GSC Baseball Preseason Poll

1. West Florida (8) - 117 pts
2. Delta State (2) - 102 pts
3. Mississippi College (1) - 100 pts
4. Valdosta State (1) - 87 pts
5. Lee - 79 pts
6. West Alabama - 77 pts
7. Montevallo - 73 pts
8. Trevecca Nazarene - 49 pts
9. AUM - 34 pts
10. UAH - 32 pts
11. Union - 30 pts
12. Christian Brothers - 12 pts

First-place votes in parentheses