BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Gulf South Conference released its 2026 Baseball Preseason Poll on Wednesday, with Montevallo selected to finish seventh. In addition to the poll, McGwire Turner, Evan Radford, and Matthew Bullard were named to the league's Top Returners list, while Caleb Karll, Bodie Vail, and Luke Holbrook were selected as Newcomers to Watch.

The Falcons were tabbed seventh with 73 points in the poll after finishing the 2025 season with a 29-25 overall record and a 16-17 mark in GSC play. Montevallo entered the GSC Tournament as the No. 8 seed and put together an impressive postseason run, advancing to the conference tournament title game.

Montevallo returns several key contributors from last season's roster. Junior infielder McGwire Turner earned Top Returner recognition following a breakout debut season in 2025. Turner garnered All-GSC Second Team honors, along with NCBWA All-Region First Team, D2CCA All-Region First Team, and D2CCA Third Team All-American recognition after batting .404 with a league-best 86 hits, nine doubles, eight home runs, and 47 RBI.

Evan Radford returns as another staple in the Falcon lineup after posting a .343 average with 73 hits, a team-high 16 doubles, 16 home runs, and 56 RBI. Radford collected numerous postseason accolades, including All-GSC Second Team, ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-Region, NCBWA Second Team All-Region, and D2CCA Second Team All-Region.

Senior left-hander Matthew Bullard also earned a spot on the Top Returners list. Bullard went 7-4 with a 5.46 ERA across 59.1 innings in 2025 and was a key piece of the Montevallo pitching staff, leading the team with 21 appearances while making seven starts.

Caleb Karll is expected to make an immediate impact in the Falcon lineup after transferring from Ohio, where he spent two seasons. Karll hit .297 with 43 hits, six doubles, two home runs, and 28 RBI during his time with the Bobcats. Right-handed pitcher Bodie Vail joins Montevallo after spending one season at Samford. Prior to Samford, Vail put together a standout junior college career at Shelton State Community College. The Tuscaloosa native was named an All-ACCC First Team selection twice and the North Division Pitcher of the Year in 2023.

Freshman Luke Holbrook rounds out Montevallo's Newcomers to Watch selections. A First Team All-State honoree in 2025, Holbrook is expected to contribute immediately to the Falcon pitching staff after a strong prep career at Whitesburg Christian Academy.

To view the full release from the GSC, click here.

The Falcons will open the 2026 season on Friday, Jan. 30, hosting Hillsdale for a three-game series at Kermit A. Johnson Field at Bob Riesener Stadium. Season tickets for the 2026 campaign are now available and can be purchased here.

2026 GSC Baseball Preseason Poll
1. West Florida (8) - 117 pts
2. Delta State (2) - 102 pts
3. Mississippi College (1) - 100 pts
4. Valdosta State (1) - 87 pts
5. Lee - 79 pts
6. West Alabama - 77 pts
7. Montevallo - 73 pts
8. Trevecca Nazarene - 49 pts
9. AUM - 34 pts
10. UAH - 32 pts
11. Union - 30 pts
12. Christian Brothers - 12 pts
First-place votes in parentheses