BROCKPORT, NY - On Tuesday, January 27th, the American Baseball Coaches Association released its 2026 Division III Preseason Coaches Poll. Following a historic 2025 campaign, the Golden Eagles slot in at #23 in the country entering the 2026 season. 

Just one year removed from the Golden Eagles program's best 36-5-2 2025 season, Brockport enters 2026 with increased expectations. The 2025 squad set multiple program-best marks, including total wins (36) and conference wins (21), securing the Golden Eagles' first Empire 8 Championship and second conference title in the last three years. The Golden Eagles' historic run came to an end at the NCAA Championships, marking the squad's third NCAA Tournament appearance in the last four years. Brockport held a national ranking throughout the 2025 season, peaking at #12 in Division III following the squad's 11-0 win over Russell Sage in the Empire 8 Championship. 

The 2026 season will mark the first since 2008 without Justin Beach at the helm, making the transition into a new role as Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance within the Brockport Department of Athletics. Leading the Golden Eagles since 2008, highlights of his tenure as head coach include five NCAA Tournament appearances, three conference crowns, and a record-breaking 36-5-2 final season in 2025. 

Brockport alumnus, former assistant coach, and team captain, Nick Pontari, will lead the Golden Eagles as the program's 13th head coach. Launching the Russell Sage College baseball program in 2020, Pontari led the Gators to two Empire 8 Conference Tournament finals appearances and an Empire 8 Regular Season Championship. Serving as an assistant and associate head coach from 2015-2019 under Justin Beach, Pontari will look to build on the rich and storied history of Brockport Baseball.

The Golden Eagles will open the 2026 season in Virginia Beach against Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday, February 21st at 11 AM.