CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced the 2026 Baseball Coaches' Preseason Poll with Luther picked to finish fourth. The Norse received 38 points in the poll.
 
Last season, the Norse were 20-22 overall and 13-11 in the conference. Luther finished third in the conference standings. Returning all-conference players include CJ Boudreaux, Zach Gwost and Gavin Scurr.
 
"Every A-R-C weekend is a battle," said head coach Bryan Nikkel. "Many great players graduated from a lot of programs, including ours. So I expect this year to be as wild as ever. We return some key position players from last year who are ready to step up to the challenge ahead. We will have an extremely veteran pitching staff, which will be the key to our success."
 
The Norse will begin the 2026 campaign in Tucson, Ariz. At the Tucson Invitational for a three-game series against St. Mary's University. The first home game is on Friday, Apr. 3 at 3 p.m. versus Buena Vista.
 
This is the final season in the A-R-C as Luther will transition to the Midwest Conference next year.
 
A-R-C Baseball Preseason Poll
1. Coe - 64 (8)
2. Buena Vista - 57 (1)
3. Wartburg - 41
4. Luther - 38
5. Nebraska Wesleyan - 33
6. Loras - 30
7. Central - 23
8. Univ. of Dubuque - 20
9. Simpson - 18