PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Eastern Connecticut State University baseball team was named the favorite to win the 2026 Little East Conference (LEC) title, according to the results of the annual preseason coaches' poll. The Warriors, who were runner-up to Keene State College a year ago, totaled 59 points and three first-place votes. 

The defending LEC regular season and tournament champion Owls were picked to finish second in the preseason ranking, totaling 54 points while also garnering three first-place votes. The University of Southern Maine is projected to finish third in the conference with 49 points and two first-place votes, edging out fourth-place UMass Boston by two points as the Beacons totaled 47 points and one first-place vote. 

UMass Dartmouth and Rhode Island College round out the projected six-team LEC Championship Tournament Field. The complete preseason ranking is as follows.

Institution - Points (FPV)
1. Eastern Connecticut - 59 (3)
2. Keene State - 54 (3)
3. Southern Maine - 49 (2)
4. UMass Boston - 47 (1)
5. UMass Dartmouth - 41
6. Rhode Island College - 29
7. Vermont State Castleton - 22
8. Plymouth State - 15
9. Western Connecticut - 8