FLORENCE, SC – Following a 40-win campaign and a share of the regular season league title a year ago, Francis Marion University tied for first in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Baseball Coaches' Preseason Poll that was released on Friday afternoon (Jan. 23).

The Patriots and North Greenville University tied for the top spot in the preseason rankings after both squads tallied 149 points and four first-place nods following the voting by the league's head coaches. Francis Marion claimed a share of the Conference Carolinas regular-season title in 2025, while NGU secured the previous three regular-season championships (2022-24). Young Harris College ranked third overall with 145 points and three first-place votes, while Belmont Abbey College received the final three first-place votes to place fourth in the poll.

University of Mount Olive (126) ranked fifth, followed by UNC Pembroke (118), Emmanuel University (92), Barton College (92), Shorter University (75), Erskine College (58), King University (48), Southern Wesleyan University (40), Chowan University (23), and Ferrum College (23).

Francis Marion head coach Jeff Jefferson enters his second year at the helm after directing the program to a 40-13 overall record, which was a 22-win improvement from the previous year (the largest in Division II). He earned Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year honors after guiding the program to its best season since 2012 and setting a program record with 25 victories at home. The Patriots feature a revamped roster for the upcoming 2026 season following the graduation of a large senior class. FMU welcomes back multiple key contributors from 2024 while bringing in a significant group of transfers.

Headlining this year's roster is redshirt junior Charlie Bussey III (1B), who was an All-American selection by multiple organizations and the Conference Carolinas Player of the Year in 2024. He batted a Conference Carolinas-leading .437 with 19 doubles, 11 home runs, and 65 runs batted in. Among the other key returnees, sixth-year outfielder Daniel Hussey (missed a majority of last season due to injury), senior infielder Will Dorrell (.282 average, 19 doubles, 44 RBIs), redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Robbie Jordan (7-1 record, 67.2 IP, 57 strikeouts), senior right-handed pitcher Clayton Stewart (7 appearances, 12.1 IP, 19 strikeouts), and sophomore left-handed pitcher Jackson Madden (17 appearances, 30.1 IP, 28 strikeouts).

The Patriots will also feature several new faces throughout the lineup and on the mound in 2026. New transfer additions included junior outfielder Matthew Manuel (.290 average, 31RBIs, 48 runs scored), senior utility player Riley Orr (.353 average, 13 doubles, 8 HRs), junior infielder Ethan McAnally (.344 average, 49 RBIs, 41 runs scored), junior infielder Brandon Vargas (.324 average, 12 doubles, 18 SBs), and redshirt junior catcher Zander Buchan.

On the mound, Francis Marion welcomes the following transfers: junior Aydin Palmer (LHP), senior Roman Edwards (RHP), junior Jafet Martinez Delgado (RHP), junior Eze Rojas (RHP), and sophomore Tyler Skeen (RHP).

Additionally, FMU is expected to see contributions from the freshman duo of Logan Davis (SS) and Garrett Long (LHP).

Francis Marion opens its season at Sparrow Stadium on Friday, Jan. 30, when the Patriots welcome Concord University for a three-game series. The team's 50-game slate includes 29 home games and a 33-game conference schedule.