The Samford baseball team has been selected as the favorite to win the Southern Conference in the 2026 season, according to D1Baseball's preseason preview. Sophomore pitcher Mason Blasche earned preseason Pitcher of the Year honors, while incoming freshman Michael Fredette was named Freshman of the Year.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In its 2026 season preview released on Tuesday, D1Baseball tabbed the Samford Bulldogs as the top team in the Southern Conference (SoCon). This prediction highlights the team's strong returning core and promising newcomers, positioning them ahead of a competitive field.
Sophomore Mason Blasche, who had a standout freshman campaign last year, was selected as the preseason Pitcher of the Year. Blasche earned Freshman All-American honors from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and secured a spot on the second team All-SoCon. He posted an impressive 10-0 record with a 3.24 ERA during the 2025 season.
Joining the accolades is pitcher Michael Fredette, named the preseason Freshman of the Year. Fredette hails from Mt. Paran High School in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he was ranked as the 23rd-best pitcher in the state by Perfect Game.
The full D1Baseball preseason poll ranks Samford first, followed by Mercer, The Citadel, ETSU, UNC Greensboro, Wofford, Western Carolina, and VMI. Samford returns seven position starters and one starting pitcher from its 2025 roster, providing a solid foundation for the upcoming year.
The Bulldogs will kick off their 2026 campaign at home against Belmont in a three-game series at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The schedule includes games on February 13 at 4 p.m., February 14 at 2 p.m., and February 15 at 1 p.m. Fans can purchase season tickets through the Samford Athletics website.
This preseason recognition underscores Samford's potential to contend for the SoCon title and make a deep run in the postseason.
