The 2025 OVC Regular Season Champions are back in action with the Ohio Valley Conference releasing their preseason poll, returning All-OVC members, and players to watch for the upcoming season.
EIU was picked to finish third in the preseason poll, which was led by SIUE who placed second behind the Panthers a year ago. The top three were decided by a total of five votes. SIUE finished with 137 total votes (10 first-place votes), followed by SEMO with 136 (3 first-place votes), and EIU with 132 points (4 first-place votes). The defending OVC Tournament Champions, Little Rock, are slotted in fourth place with 122 points (3 first-place votes).
For the Panthers, EIU will return two All-OVC players, Tyler Conklin (RHP, Grad) and Mike O'Conor (INF, Sr.). Conklin, the graduate student, was a 2025 All-OVC Second Team member. He made 11 starts, posting a record of 5-1 with an ERA of 3.94. Conklin pitched 64 innings and was tied for second on the team with 45 strikeouts. O'Conor, the senior third baseman, was selected to the 2025 All-OVC First Team. O'Conor appeared in 43 games, making 36 starts at third base. He was the team leader with a .323 batting average with 10 doubles, 3 triples, 10 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 41 runs scored.
In addition to their two All-OVC returners, Anthony Solis (RHP, Jr.) and James Love (1B/3B, So.) were named to the 2026 OVC Players to Watch List. Solis is a returning junior who made 15 appearances last season. In those appearances, he made 12 starts posting a 5-3 record with one save and a 6.00 ERA. Love earned a selection for the 2025 OVC All-Freshman Team. As a rookie, Love appeared in 35 games making 22 starts, hitting .310 for the year with 8 doubles, 2 triples, 1 home run, 14 RBIs, and 16 runs scored.
Eastern Illinois baseball opens their 2026 season campaign in Tallahassee, Florida for a four-game series against Florida A&M. The Panthers home opener is slated for March 11th against Illinois Wesleyan. Then, EIU will begin OVC play on the road against Lindenwood, which is scheduled for March 20th.
2026 OVC Baseball Predicted Order of Finish
1. SIUE (10 first-place votes) - 137 points
2. Southeast Missouri (3) - 136
3. Eastern Illinois (4) - 132
4. Little Rock (3) - 122
5. Tennessee Tech - 98
6. Lindenwood - 86
7. Southern Indiana - 70
8. UT Martin - 54
9. Morehead State - 37
10. Western Illinois – 28
Returning All-OVC Selections
Eastern Illinois
Tyler Conklin (RHP, Grad)
Mike O'Conor (INF, Sr.)
2026 Players to Watch
Eastern Illinois
Anthony Solis (RHP, Jr.)
James Love (1B/3B, So.)
For more information on the OVC Preseason Poll, Returning All-OVC Members, and 2026 Players to Watch, please visit: OVC Release
