MINOT, N.D. – Despite the snow on the ground and blistering cold temperatures outside, the Minot State baseball team is getting ready to swing into action.

The Beavers hit the field in Arizona next week to start the 2026 season, while today, the NSIC got things rolling for the spring by announcing the 2026 NSIC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll and Players to Watch.

Minot State heads into the new season as an underdog in the eyes of the NSIC's coaches, as the Beavers were picked to finish 13^th with 44 points.

"We have a good base of returners and a nice mix of new guys also," Minot State head coach Sam Boisner said of this season's team. "We are happy to have some guys back from injury that missed parts of last season.

"The team has put in a ton of work this fall, and we are very excited to go compete this spring."

The Beavers open the season on Friday, January 30, playing Adams State (Colo.) in Arizona in the first of four games in three days in The Grand Canyon State. Minot State then plays its NSIC-opening series against Southwest Minnesota State in Lincoln, Nebraska, on February 22 and 23.

The Beavers' home debut at Corbett Field is scheduled for Saturday, March 21, when they host Minnesota Duluth in a doubleheader starting at noon.

Defending regular-season and tournament champion, Minnesota State, Mankato, was a slim favorite to win the NSIC title with 8 first-place votes and 190 points, one point better than 2nd-place pick Augustana, which had 7 first-place votes and 189 points.

St. Cloud State was picked to finish 3^rd by the coaches with 163 points, Wayne State was picked 4^th with 154 points, Sioux Falls was picked 5^th with 144 points, Minnesota Duluth was picked 6^th with 116 points, Mary was picked 7^th with 115 points, Minnesota Crookston was picked 8^th with 112 points, Southwest Minnesota State was picked 9^th with 90 points, Winona State was picked 10^th with 89 points, Concordia-St. Paul was picked 11^th with 76 points, Jamestown was picked 12^th with 48 points, Minot State was picked 13^th with 44 points, Northern State was picked 14^th with 29 points, and Bemidji State was picked 15^th with 16 points.

The NSIC also named its Players to Watch, along with a Preseason Player and Pitcher of the Year, and for Minot State, senior catcher Oscar Pegg and redshirt-junior pitcher Ayden Sauerbrei were tabbed as the Beavers' Players to Watch.

Pegg led Minot State in home runs and RBIs last season, and was third in batting average among the Beaver regulars, as he played in 46 games, crushing 13 home runs, driving in 43 runs, and hitting .310 in his first season at Minot State.

"Oscar has been a leader for us on and off the field, always putting in extra work with his teammates," Coach Boisner said. "Oscar is a competitor and really enjoys competing with his team at practice and during the games. He has excelled in the classroom as an Exercise Science major, and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes this spring on the field."

Sauerbrei, a right-handed relief pitcher, heads into his fourth season with the Beavers after leading the staff in ERA and saves last spring. Sauerbrei appeared in 18 games in 2025 for the Beavers, pitching 23 1/3 innings with a 3.86 ERA, 4 saves, and 30 strikeouts.

"During his time with our team, Ayden has proven himself to be an outstanding player who consistently delivers high-quality performances," Boisner said. "In addition to his athletic contributions, he is a dedicated student-athlete excelling in his Physical Education major. Ayden possesses a great work ethic and high character; I speak for our entire team that we are all excited to see Ayden compete this season."

While Pegg and Sauerbrei were highlighted as Players to Watch for Minot State, the NSIC also named its Preseason Player and Pitcher of the Year.

The University of Mary's Isaac Pegors, a junior outfielder and 2025 All-American, was picked as the Preseason Player of the Year, while Augustana's senior left-handed pitcher, Ashton Michek, was selected as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year for the second season in-a-row.

 

2026 NSIC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll

RANK	TEAM	POINTS
1	Minnesota State (8)	190
2	Augustana (7)	189
3	St. Cloud State	163
4	Wayne State	154
5	Sioux Falls	144
6	Minnesota Duluth	116
7	Mary	115
8	Minnesota Crookston	112
9	Southwest Minnesota State	90
10	Winona State	89
11	Concordia-St. Paul	76
12	Jamestown	48
13	Minot State	44
14	Northern State	29
15	Bemidji State	16