2026 ICCAC Spring Preview | Baseball
The 2026 ICCAC Baseball season is approaching, and the conference enters the year with a familiar level of depth — plus a new program joining the mix.
In Division I, three teams will compete for a single District Tournament berth: Iowa Western, Indian Hills, and Southwestern.
Iowa Western enters the season as the favorite after dominating Division I play in 2025. The Reivers swept their conference opponents and captured the Region 11 Championship, setting the standard for the division.
Indian Hills finished close behind Iowa Western a season ago and will look to close the gap under new leadership. Head coach Dru Sebastian takes over the program after a runner-up finish in the Region 11 Tournament, bringing renewed energy to the Warriors.
Southwestern also begins a new chapter with Mike Creason at the helm. After a difficult 2025 season, the Spartans aim to take steps forward behind a revamped roster and a fresh approach.
In Division II, the ICCAC continues to be one of the most competitive leagues in the NJCAA. Four different teams have claimed conference championships over the last four seasons, and that parity remains intact entering 2026. Adding to the challenge this year is Northeast Iowa, which begins its inaugural season as a program.
The preseason coaches' poll favorite is Southeastern, which finished atop the regular-season standings in 2025 and earned an at-large bid to the NJCAA World Series after a deep postseason run.
Just behind the Blackhawks is Iowa Central, coming off an impressive year that included a Region 11 Tournament title, District Championship, and a trip to the NJCAA World Series semifinals.
Kirkwood and DMACC follow closely in the preseason outlook. Both programs return strong cores and are positioned to contend for a conference title, with the Eagles seeking their first championship since 2022 and the Bears since 2024.
Northeast and Ellsworth round out the middle of the pack. The Hawks continue to build momentum with a deep roster, while the Panthers enter a new era under head coach Reece Anderson, looking to build on recent success.
NIACC and Marshalltown come next in the projected standings, with both programs leaning on new head coaches and roster development as they look to climb the conference ladder.
Rounding out the field are Northeast Iowa and Iowa Lakes. The Cougars begin year one as a program, while the Lakers aim to turn continued statistical improvement into tangible results in 2026.
With proven contenders, rising programs, and new faces across the conference, the ICCAC once again sets the stage for a wide-open and highly competitive baseball season.
Division I:
ICCAC Division I Baseball Preview
Division II: