Season Preview: Cochise Baseball Focused on Competing Daily in 2026

DOUGLAS, Ariz. — As the 2026 season approaches, Cochise College baseball once again turns the page with a new roster, new faces, and the same standard that has defined the program for decades under head coach Todd Inglehart.

The Apaches enter the year with national recognition, earning a No. 13 ranking in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll, reinforcing Cochise's continued presence among the country's elite junior college programs.

Rather than setting firm numerical goals, Inglehart says the foundation remains simple.

"My only expectations of our team are that we compete each and every day we play, that we respect the name on the jersey and all of the players that came before them," he said. "Competing for championships is always the aspiration, but those goals have to be earned in how we work in practice and how we play on the field."

Pitching Depth Sets the Tone

One area Inglehart believes could become a strength early is the pitching staff. The Apaches return two arms who logged significant innings a season ago and add several new — and experienced — pieces around them.

"We should pitch it pretty well," Inglehart said. "We have more depth on the mound this year, and three of our new pitchers are transfers who already have experience."

Defensively, the coaching staff will spend the early portion of the season sorting through new combinations, particularly in the outfield and behind the plate, where there are no returning starters.

"It's my hope that we learn and get better during the first four weeks of nonconference play," Inglehart said.

Offensively, Cochise may not feature one dominant power hitter, but the lineup is expected to be competitive throughout.

"I feel we can be competitive one through nine," he said. "No real 'big bats,' but solid young players who should grind out at-bats."

New Faces Everywhere

Roster turnover is nothing new in junior college baseball, and Inglehart continues to embrace that reality.

"The beauty and the difficulty of this level is always the turnover," he said. "Seeing guys develop is the reward."

This year's team includes four Division I transfers, two junior college transfers, and a large class of true freshmen who showed steady growth during fall workouts.

"All of them have fit in nicely and will have a big role in our success," Inglehart said.

Leadership by Committee

With only a handful of returning players, leadership will come from many voices rather than one.

Among those back are pitchers and position players, with Collin Smith and TJ Shaw returning as the most experienced contributors from last season.

"In baseball, with a 25-man roster, it takes more than one or two guys to lead," Inglehart said. "The more kids you have with character, the easier that becomes. I feel we have a lot of players capable of leading by example — sophomores and freshmen alike."

Connecting With the Community

As the season begins, the program is also focused on staying connected to the Cochise community.

Following the Apaches' home doubleheader against Community Christian College on February 21, the team will host a free youth baseball clinic at the field.

Each participant will receive a t-shirt and instruction from current Cochise players. The clinic is expected to last approximately one to one-and-a-half hours, daylight permitting.

Opening Day at Bo Hall Field

Cochise will officially open the 2026 regular season at home on Saturday, January 31, hosting Ottawa University JV in a doubleheader beginning at noon at Bo Hall Field in Douglas, Arizona.

Looking Ahead

While the roster may be young and the faces new, the expectations inside the Cochise dugout remain unchanged. With a deeper pitching staff, a competitive lineup, national preseason recognition, and a group learning to grow together, the Apaches enter 2026 focused on steady improvement and honoring the legacy of those who built the program before them. If the early months are any indication, Cochise Baseball is once again preparing to write another meaningful chapter in a tradition rooted in hard work, accountability, and championship ambition.