KANSAS CITY, Mo. - On Wednesday, April 15, the NAIA released the fourth NAIA Baseball Top-25 Coaches' Poll, and for the first time in the modern era of the Marian baseball program history, the Knights are ranked in the top-25. Marian enters the weekend as the No. 24 team in the NAIA, marking the first time the team has been ranked in the regular season.

Marian's ranking is the highest-ever in the regular season, punctuating the team's climb through the receiving votes group this season. The Knights have a record of 30-11, matching the most wins the program has recorded in a single season since 2019. Marian's highest ranking in program history dates back to the 2005 preseason poll, when Marian was ranked No. 21 on November 17, 2004. 

The Knights have guaranteed a spot in the Crossroads League Tournament, and enter the penultimate weekend of the regular season in second place in the league standings, having won 22 games in 28 tries. Marian's 22 Crossroads League victories are the most in a single season in program history.

Marian travels to Grace College this weekend, and ends the regular season with five home games, first hosting (RV) Oakland City in the non-conference finale on April 21. The regular season concludes with the Knights hosting the No. 1 team in the NAIA, Taylor University. Games against the Trojans are scheduled to be played on April 23 and 24, and will be covered by the ISC Sports Network. 

Below is the poll methodology for the NAIA. The full rankings can be found in the linked article above. 
 

Poll Methodology

• The national poll is for publicity purposes only and does not influence the selection process for national championship consideration.
• A panel of head coaches representing each conference and the Continental Athletic Conference (Independents) votes in the poll.
• The Top 25 teams are selected using a points-based system:
  • 30 points for a 1st-place vote, 29 for 2nd, 28 for 3rd, and so on.
• The highest and lowest rankings received by each team are discarded before final tallying.
• Teams receiving only one point are not listed as "receiving votes."
• For the Preseason Poll, there is no "previous ranking" column since it is the initial poll and differs from the prior rating system.