SEARCY, Ark. – Following a dominant conference-opening sweep, the Harding baseball team continues its upward trajectory in the regional and national landscape, officially breaking into the national top 25.
The Bisons (6-1, 3-0 GAC) moved up one spot to No. 6 in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Central Region rankings released Monday. More significantly, the Bisons have earned the No. 23 spot in the NCAA Division II Baseball Coaches Poll, presented by Netting Professionals.
Harding's rise follows a perfect 3-0 weekend at Jerry Moore Field, where they dispatched Northwestern Oklahoma State by scores of 2-1, 4-3, and 12-4. The Bisons are the highest-ranked Great American Conference team in the regional poll, leading a group of four GAC schools in the top 10.
In the national coaches poll, Tampa (8-0) remains the unanimous No. 1, followed by North Greenville and Texas-Tyler. Harding is the lone GAC representative in the top 25, though several regional rivals from the MIAA, including Central Missouri (No. 5) and Pittsburg State (No. 7), occupy spots in the top 10.
The Bisons return to action Tuesday, Feb. 17, for a non-conference mid-week matchup at Ouachita Baptist. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 9 in the Central Region. First pitch in Arkadelphia is scheduled for 1 p.m.
NCBWA Central Region Rankings (Feb. 16, 2026)
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Pittsburg State (10-0) – 109 pts
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Central Missouri (8-2) – 95 pts
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Augustana (8-0) – 89 pts
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Emporia State (9-1) – 69 pts
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Minnesota State (2-1) – 62 pts
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Harding (6-1) – 55 pts
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Central Oklahoma (7-2) – 38 pts
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Southwestern Oklahoma State (8-3) – 28 pts
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Ouachita Baptist (7-2) – 27 pts
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Northwest Missouri (7-4) – 10 pts
Receiving Votes: Rogers State (9), Wayne State (5), Oklahoma Baptist (4), Arkansas-Monticello (2), Missouri Southern (2), Henderson State (1).
