CARMEL, Ind. – Rose-Hulman has been selected to finish second in the HCAC Preseason Poll.
 
The Fightin' Engineers accumulated 65 total points, ranking above Manchester and Franklin, who tied for third with 58 points. Transylvania has been picked to win the HCAC, as they accumulated 76 points and seven first-place votes. Manchester hauled in two first-place votes, and fifth-place finisher Anderson secured the final first-place vote.
 
The Fightin' Engineers posted a 23-19 record during the 2025 season, recording a 14-8 mark in the HCAC. The team concluded the regular season as the #3-seed in the conference, and they defeated Franklin during the opening game of the HCAC Tournament.
 
Head Coach Adam Rosen returns for his fifth season at the helm, and he has recorded top-four finishes in the conference every season. Rosen has achieved a career record of 99-72 (57.9%) and an HCAC record of 53-31 (63.1%). He returns three All-HCAC Honorees from last season in First Teamer Connor O'Connell, Second Teamer Jackson Harms, and Honorable Mention Mason Rasmussen.
 
Senior Connor O'Connell recorded a team-high .363 batting average, where he recorded 61 hits and 29 runs. He hit 13 doubles, three triples, six home runs, and 40 RBIs. O'Connell recorded three or more hits in ten games, and his 61 hits ranked fourth in the conference. He recorded a perfect 4-4 game against Transylvania, where he hit two RBIs and two triples.
 
Sophomore Jackson Harms is coming off a standout first season where he posted a .330 batting average with 32 hits and 20 runs. He added four doubles, one triple, two home runs, and 23 RBIs. Harms' season was highlighted by a terrific performance against Anderson, where he hit 3-5 with two runs, one home run, and a career-high six RBIs.
 
Senior Mason Rasmussen recorded a .319 average at the plate with 51 hits and 29 runs. He also posted 13 doubles, two home runs, and 29 RBIs. Rasmussen scored a career-high four runs against Franklin, while hitting 3-5 with two doubles and three RBIs.
 
Rose-Hulman will lead off the season against Vermont State-Castleton at the Russ Matt Invitational in Orlando, Fla. The double header will take place on Saturday, February 28, with start times of 1:30 and 4:30 PM.
 
Following the Russ Matt Invitational, the Fightin' Engineers will take on Denison in their first home game of the season. The double header will be held on Saturday, March 7, with start times of 12 and 3 PM.
 
HCAC PRESEASON POLL RESULTS:
1) Transylvania – 76 (7)
2) Rose-Hulman – 65
T3) Manchester – 58 (2)
T3) Franklin – 58
5) Anderson – 55 (1)
6) Mt. St. Joseph – 46
T7) Earlham – 33
T7) Hanover – 33
9) Bluffton – 17
10) Berea – 9