ODESSA, Texas (January 28, 2026) – The National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association released its 2026 South Central Region Preseason Poll with The University of Texas Permian Basin baseball team receiving votes to begin the season.

UT Tyler was selected first and received five of the eight first-place votes. Colorado Mesa received two first-place votes and was picked second, followed by Angelo State in third with the final first-place vote. St. Edward's and Lubbock Christian rounded out the top-five. UTPB received four votes and was one of two teams (along with Regis) in the receiving votes category. The poll was voted on by a committee of eight voters with four representing each conference (LSC and RMAC).

UTPB Head Baseball Coach Justin Phillips said, "As our program continues to build, we are expecting recognition like this to become a normal standard for us. We hope to be competitive in everything we do, and we proved that last year in the final six weeks."

2025 was the first season for the Falcons under the direction of Coach Phillips as UTPB finished 20-30 overall and 19-29 in the LSC, which was good for ninth place. The Falcons won 17 of their last 28 games to reach the 20-win mark, and did not lose a series in the month of April. Last week, the Lone Star Conference announced sophomore right-handed pitcher Timmy LaChappa and junior middle infielder Gael Bernal as Players to Watch in the conference.

In addition to LaChappa and Bernal, UTPB players to keep an eye on this season include:

• Andrew Prado, OF, R-So. – .267 AVG, 42-35 GP-GS, 101 AB, 35 R, 27 H, 4 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 21 RBI, .386 SLG%, 22 BB, 3 HPB, .409 OB%, 1 SB
• Jarren Lewis, C, R-Sr. – .211 AVG, 34-25 GP-GS, 90 AB, 12 R, 19 H, 6 2B, 11 RBI, .278 SLG%, 2 BB, 2 HPB, .245 OB%
• Gael Bernal, INF, Jr., Transfer from New Mexico Highlands University – 47 G, 177 AB, 41 R, 54 H, 14 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 32 RBI, 17 BB, 3 HPB, .305 AVG, .368 OBP, .554 SLG, RMAC Gold Glove Award in 2025
• Carter Chaney, OF, Jr., Transfer from Trinity Christian College – 40 G, 141 AB, 34 R, 50 H, 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 20 SB, 14 BB, 2 HBP, .355 AVG, .413 ONP, .440 SLG
• Carlos Chavez, C/INF, Jr., Transfer from New Mexico Highlands University – 33 G, 109 AB, 23 R, 39 H, 6 2B, 6 HR, 32 RBI, 1 SB, 11 BB, 3 HPB, .358 AVG, .427 OBP, .578 SLG
• Braeden Dyck, OF/INF, Jr., Transfer from SUNY Niagara – 29 G, 91 AB, 18 R, 32 H, 7 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 21 RBI, 2 SB, 10 BB, 2 HBP, .352 AVG, .423 OBP, .484 SLG
• Alden Quintanilla, INF/OF, R-Jr., Transfer from Colorado Mesa University – Brooke his foot and did not play in 2025
• James Nolan, INF, Jr., Transfer from Cisco College – 4 G, 5 AB, 1 R, 1 BB, .000 AVG., .167 OBP, .000 SLG
• Daylon Jefcoats, INF/OF, Fr., From Andrews HS/Andrews, Texas – Two-time All-District player at first base (First-Team: 2024; Second-Team: 2023), 2025 Honorable Mention Academic All-State
• Timmy LaChappa RHP, So. – 6.71 ERA, 3-5 W-L, 14 APP, 12 GS, 4 CG, 1 SHO, 61.2 IP, 46 SO, NCBWA South Central Region Pitcher of the Week, LSC Pitcher of the Week
• Damian Robles, RHP, So. – 7.36 ERA, 1-5 W-L, 12 APP, 9 GS, 51.1 IP, 28 SO
• Jackson Markwood, RHP, R-So. – 9.00 ERA, 1-0 W-L, 11 APP, 12.0 IP, 6 SO
• Sebastian Lozoya – RHP/DH, So. – 10.97 ERA, 0-0 W-L, 8 APP, 2 GS, 10.2 IP, 6 SO
• Jaden Loggins – RHP, So. – 17.42 ERA, 0-1 W-L, 11 APP, 1 GS, 10.1 IP, 5 SO
• Owen Forbes, RHP, R-Jr., Transfer from Nunez Community College – 3-2 W-L, 7.33 ERA, 18 G, 5 GS, 46.2 IP, 42 SO
• Alex Thrasher, RHP, Jr., Transfer from Galveston College – 0-0 W-L, 5.40 ERA, 8 G, 6.2 IP, 10 SO

The Falcons will be at home to kick off the season, hosting Angelo State University at 2 p.m. on Friday, January 30, to start a three-game series.