A Program Poised for Growth
Mizzou Baseball unveiled its fall 2026 exhibition slate, scheduling games against Iowa on September 26 and Bradley on October 17 at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. The matchups mark the second straight year the Tigers will host Iowa, underscoring a growing regional presence and providing a early‑season gauge for the team.
The announcements arrive as the program celebrates a dramatic turnaround. Over the past season the Tigers added eight victories, effectively doubling their SEC win total, and capped the year with a landmark win over ninth‑seeded Ole Miss in the SEC Tournament — the first postseason victory for the program since 2017.
Head coach Kerrick Jackson, now in his second year, highlighted the impact of the transfer portal, noting that the roster secured the No. 31 class nationally according to 64 Analytics and No. 38 per D1Baseball. The influx of talent reflects a strategic push to sustain momentum and deepen depth.
Iowa enters the series with a .500 record, finishing 33‑23 overall and capturing a win at the Big Ten Tournament. Their recent history includes a fall exhibition in Columbia the previous year, setting a precedent for competitive cross‑conference play.
Bradley, under new head coach Justin Dedman, aims to rebound from an 11‑45 record in the 2027 campaign. Dedman’s appointment brings fresh direction, and the team hopes to improve on a 6‑18 mark in the Missouri Valley Conference.
The upcoming exhibitions are more than preseason tune‑ups; they embody the Tigers’ broader ambition to translate recent successes into sustained excellence. Fans can anticipate a lively atmosphere at Taylor Stadium as the team blends home‑grown talent with high‑profile transfers, all under the banner of a program that appears to be finally breaking through.