NEW YORK | After a thrilling 2025 campaign that saw Farmingdale State sweep top-seeded United States Merchant Marine Academy to capture the Skyline Conference Championship, the Mariners have been selected as the favorite in the 2026 preseason coaches’ poll. Merchant Marine compiled 96 points in voting by the league’s head coaches, narrowly edging Farmingdale State, which finished just three points back at 93.

Farmingdale, the defending champion, enters the new season riding a wave of momentum after completing a postseason run that included dominant performances in the Skyline Conference Tournament, culminating in a 6-1 and 2-1 sweep of the Mariners in the title final.

St. Joseph’s-Long Island checked in third with 81 points, followed by Maritime (72) and Manhattanville University (59) as teams expected to contend in the upper half of the league. Mount Saint Mary (56), Purchase (43), Mount Saint Vincent (40), Old Westbury (36), St. Joseph’s-Brooklyn (19), and Yeshiva (10) rounded out the poll.

Last season’s Skyline standings saw Merchant Marine finish atop the regular-season leaderboard with a 16-4 conference mark and 28-15 overall record, followed closely by St. Joseph’s-Long Island (15-5, 25-17) and Farmingdale State (14-6, 26-14).

The 2026 Skyline Conference Men’s Baseball Championship first-round is slated for May 6, with the double elimination tournament scheduled May 8-10. The tournament champion will earn the conference’s automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship.

2026 Skyline Conference Men’s Baseball Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Rank, School, Points (First-place votes)
1. Merchant Marine, 96 (7) 
2. Farmingdale State, 93 (4)
3. St. Joseph’s-Long Island, 81    
4. Maritime, 72    
5. Manhattanville University, 59    
6. Mount Saint Mary, 56    
7. Purchase, 43    
8. Mount Saint Vincent, 40    
9. Old Westbury, 36    
10. St. Joseph’s-Brooklyn,19    
11. Yeshiva, 10