SEASIDE, Calif. – Cal State Monterey Bay has been selected as the unanimous favorite in the 2026 CCAA Coaches Preseason Poll. The Otters earned 81 points and all nine first-place votes.

The Otters have won three consecutive CCAA Tournaments and the last four CCAA regular-season titles. Last year, CSUMB went 39-19 overall and posted a 26-14 CCAA record. 

Monterey Bay won its NCAA Regional pod and reached the NCAA Super Regional for the third straight year. The Otters paced the CCAA in fielding percentage (.974) and earned run average (4.81) last year.

The Otters return CCAA honorable mention selections Andrew Kotin and Noah Zertuche. Kotin posted seven saves and held opposing batters to a .202 clip. Zertuche batted .307 and added nine home runs and drove in 31.

CSUMB will open the 2026 season on the road for a three-game set at Point Loma. The two squads face off in a doubleheader on Friday, Jan. 30, and close out the series with a Saturday matinee. 

2026 CCAA Baseball Preseason Poll
Cal State Monterey Bay (9) - 81       
Chico State - 61       
Cal State Dominguez Hills - 58       
Cal Poly Pomona - 56       
Cal State San Marcos - 49       
Cal State LA - 34       
Cal State San Bernardino - 32       
Cal State East Bay - 24       
Stanislaus State - 10