EDISON, NJ — The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference announced the 2026 MAAC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll and All-MAAC Team on Thursday morning. Graduate student
Andrelys Payamps and
Sean Stephenson earned Preseason All-MAAC honors. The Maroon & Gold were picked tenth in the preseason coaches poll.
The New York, NY native is coming off a 2025 season that saw him garner All-MAAC Second Team honors. Payamps started in 13 games for the Gaels and had a 4.52 era on the season with a team high 72 punch outs. He was tied for the team lead with four wins and was second in innings pitched. His 72 punch outs averaged 9.87 strikeouts per nine innings which ranked third in the conference.
The Mansfield, MA native was selected as the program's first MAAC and ECAC Rookie of the year. Stephenson was always awarded as he was placed on the All-MAAC Rookie team and earned MAAC Rookie of the Week three times. He started in all 49 games for the Maroon & Gold. Stephenson batted .341 with a .517 slugging. His totals last season were 70 hits, with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 39 rbis. As a freshman Stephenson ranked second in hits, home runs, doubles and rbis.
2026 Preseason All-MAAC Team
| PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEAR |
SCHOOL |
| Aidan Paradine |
Catcher |
R-So. |
Siena |
| Christian Smith |
First Base |
Sr. |
Quinnipiac |
| Ryan Lordier |
Second Base |
Sr. |
Manhattan |
| Luke Nomura |
Shortstop |
Sr. |
Fairfield |
| Jake Sparks |
Third Base |
Jr. |
Siena |
| Matthew Bucciero* |
Outfield |
Sr. |
Fairfield |
| Kyle Neri |
Outfield |
R-Jr. |
Rider |
| Peter Link |
Outfield |
Jr. |
Sacred Heart |
| Ben Alekson* |
Pitcher |
Jr. |
Fairfield |
| Andrelys Payamps |
Pitcher |
Gr. |
Iona |
| Will Taylor |
Pitcher |
R-Jr. |
Marist |
| Serigne Sarre |
Pitcher |
So. |
Mount St. Mary's |
| Jack Andrews |
Designated Hitter |
R-So. |
Merrimack |
| Sean Stephenson |
Utility |
R-So. |
Iona |
* Denotes unanimous selection
2026 MAAC baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
| PLACE |
TEAM |
VOTES (First Place) |
| 1. |
Fairfield |
168 (12) |
| 2. |
Rider |
146 (1) |
| 3. |
Quinnipiac |
139 |
| 4. |
Sacred Heart |
117 |
| 5. |
Mount St. Mary's |
110 |
| T6. |
Siena |
103 |
| T6. |
Marist |
103 |
| 8. |
Niagara |
72 |
| 9. |
Manhattan |
68 |
| 10. |
Iona |
58 |
| 11. |
Canisius |
46 |
| 12. |
Merrimack |
39 |
| 13. |
Saint Peter's |
14 |
UP NEXT
The Gaels kick off their 2026 campaign on Friday, February 13 down in Virginia with game one of their three game series vs. Radford. First pitch is expected at 3 P.M.
