UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. - Saginaw Valley State University baseball looks to build on its recent success as the Cardinals prepare for a challenging 2026 campaign. SVSU returns one of the most experienced lineups in the GLIAC, bringing back 90% of its at-bats, 74% of its innings pitched, and five of seven All-GLIAC selections from last season.
With that experience paired alongside an impressive incoming class, the Cardinals will be tested early and often. Their 2026 slate features 30 games against teams that finished above .500, including eight programs that made NCAA Regional appearances in 2025.
SVSU opens the season in Xenia, Ohio, with four games against in-region opponents Cedarville and Lewis University. After a four-game home series versus Lake Erie, the Cardinals begin their spring break trip with a three-game weekend set at perennial GLVC and regional contender Maryville University.
The Cardinals then head to Florida for a demanding stretch at the RussMatt Invitational. They open with Rockhurst University, followed by three regional matchups over two days against Minnesota State Mankato (51–8), Wilmington (37–22), and Ashland (37–19), before closing the trip against a talented Minnesota Crookston squad.
Upon returning home, SVSU plays a pair of games against cross-town rival Northwood, highlighted by the annual matchup at Dow Diamond on April 21. Additional non-conference contests include an in-region matchup with Findlay and two games versus Tiffin University.
The Cardinals will host conference series against UW–Parkside, Davenport, and Grand Valley State (Senior Weekend), while traveling to Purdue Northwest, Wayne State, and Roosevelt.
The GLIAC Tournament will be held May 7–10 at Jimmy John's Field in Utica, Mich. NCAA Regionals and Super Regionals follow on the next two weekends at TBA sites. The 2026 NCAA Division II World Series runs from June 1–9 in Cary, N.C.
Head coach Adam Piotrowicz emphasized the importance of early challenges:
"Each year we want to play as many quality in-region opponents as possible. We play in a very competitive conference, full of high-character and quality programs. To compete at a high level in the GLIAC you must challenge yourself early.
The difficult non-conference schedule not only prepares us for the GLIAC but gives us a measuring stick for our ultimate goal—success in the NCAA postseason. The standard has been set here, and we have an experienced and talented group capable of rising to the challenges ahead this spring."
Since taking over the program, Piotrowicz has led SVSU to an impressive 98–64 record (.604) across his first three seasons, including back-to-back 30-plus-win campaigns (41 wins in 2024 and 30 in 2025)—the program's first such stretch since 2008.