Rank	'25 Final Rk.	School	State	2025 Record
1	8	Lynchburg Hornets	VA	41-9
2	2	Endicott Gulls	MA	45-6
3	3	Denison Big Red	OH	41-7
4	1	UW-Whitewater Warhawks	WI	49-6
5	9	Salve Regina Seahawks	RI	36-9
6	12	Salisbury Seagulls	MD	34-10
7	6	Trinity Tigers	TX	41-10
8	13	Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags	CA	35-15
9	7	Kean Cougars	NJ	41-11
10	10	Messiah Falcons	PA	39-16
11	19	Cortland State Red Dragons	NY	31-13
12	4	Johns Hopkins Blue Jays	MD	44-5
13	11	Case Western Reserve Spartans	OH	30-14-1
14	17	Centre Colonels	KY	32-11
15	5	Rowan Profs	NJ	38-12
16	26	Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens	CA	32-17
17	NR	Keene Owls	NH	25-17
18	18	Webster Gorloks	MO	37-9
19	16	Penn State Harrisburg Lions	PA	34-13-1
20	25	Belhaven Blazers	MS	34-15
21	24	East Texas Baptist Tigers	TX	31-16
22	NR	Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets	OH	32-15
23	NR	Alvernia Golden Wolves	PA	28-14
24	NR	Coast Guard Bears	CT	26-14
25	NR	Gettysburg Bullets	PA	30-11

1. Lynchburg Hornets (8, 41-9) 

Last season, the Hornets set the pace in the ODAC with a 41–9 record, captured a third consecutive conference championship, and advanced to the Super Regional round of the NCAA tournament. The run further cemented Lynchburg’s position as one of the league’s defining programs. Over the past five seasons, the Hornets have claimed four ODAC titles and now own 12 conference championships overall, the second-most in league history. Lynchburg’s national championship in 2023 was built on a dominant pitching staff, and the current edition draws clear parallels to that title-winning blueprint, with run prevention once again shaping the program’s identity. 

The Hornets return a strong nucleus from last season, highlighted by ODAC Pitcher of the Year Tyler Kaltreider, who was recently named a preseason All-American. Offensively, Lynchburg does not rely heavily on the long ball, instead emphasizing high batting averages, plate discipline, and aggressive baserunning to apply constant pressure. 

Second baseman and leadoff hitter Benton Jones set the tone atop the lineup, leading the team with a .373 batting average. He ranked second on the roster with 12 doubles, led the team with six triples, and finished second with 23 stolen bases. Jones also led Division III with 60 walks, resulting in an elite .548 on-base percentage. Joe Munitz, the team’s top designated hitter candidate, ranked second on the team in batting average at .360 and drew 51 walks, a total surpassed only by Jones, to post a .521 on-base percentage. Middle infielder Brandon Garcia enters his fourth season as a starter and brings a career .311 batting average along with elite speed. Last year, he stole 25 bases as part of the Hornets’ aggressive approach on the bases. Catcher Sean Pokorak added a .309 batting average and threw out eight of 19 attempted base stealers. Conner Moore was limited to 61 at-bats but made the most of his opportunities, recording 10 extra-base hits and posting a .770 slugging percentage. 

As strong as the offense is, the pitching staff may be even more formidable. Kaltreider anchored the rotation after earning ODAC Pitcher of the Year honors, making 15 starts and logging 97⅓ innings. He finished with a 2.68 ERA, striking out 95 batters while allowing just 89 hits. Prior to transferring to Lynchburg, he earned Southern Conference All-Freshman honors at Division I VMI. Graduate student Nick Mattfield provides another dependable presence in the rotation, entering the season with nearly 250 career innings and a .234 opponents’ batting average. Last year, he posted a 3.15 ERA and threw two complete games. Logan Tapman rounds out the rotation after transitioning from the bullpen to a starting role and posting a team-best 2.61 ERA across 69 innings. 

The bullpen remains deep and experienced. Colin McGuire led the staff with 24 relief appearances, logging 48⅔ innings and recording nine saves, which ranked third nationally. Trent Judd and Davis Watson supply additional reliable arms. Judd posted a 3.33 ERA over 24⅓ innings, while Watson struck out 15 batters in 11⅔ innings. 

2. Endicott Gulls (2 45-6) 

The Gulls rolled through the 2025 season and appear poised to do much the same in 2026. If they advance to the Division III World Series once again, they would become the first program to reach four straight since UW–Oshkosh accomplished the feat three decades ago. The Gulls enter the new season on the heels of another historic spring, having posted a 45–6 overall record and a perfect 16–0 mark in league play. While some top performers graduated or transferred, the Blue and Green return much of the core from last year’s roster and should once again contend for a national title. 

The offense projects to remain potent, even after all three outfielders with remaining eligibility transferred to Division I programs to finish their careers. Despite that turnover, the Gulls should continue to score runs in bunches. First baseman Cade Bernardo will again anchor the middle of the lineup with one of the most dangerous bats on the roster. The former Maine signee hit .362 last season with 11 doubles and eight home runs. Two of his fellow infielders also return. Second baseman AJ Hamm broke out with an exceptional year at the plate, hitting .356 with a .474 on-base percentage, while TJ Liponis enters his fourth full season as a starter after batting .293 with six home runs. Another key returner is Kyle Grabowski, who produced a .343/.427/.545 slash line and a career-high 13 stolen bases while hitting in the cleanup spot. The graduate has earned All-CNE honors in each full season he has played. 

Scoring runs against Evan Scully proved difficult last season, and there is little reason to expect that to change. After moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation, he continued to dominate, appearing in 17 games with 11 starts and posting a 2.17 ERA. Over 80⅔ innings, he limited opponents to just 53 hits and seven walks. Brady Stuart also returns for his fourth year on the mound. Used in a mixed role last season, he finished with a 2.80 ERA and now owns 128 strikeouts in 116 career innings as a Gull while allowing only 95 hits. Kyan Bagshaw’s numbers dipped from his prolific 2024 campaign, but a return to form seems likely. Over three seasons, he has thrown 71 innings, striking out 90 batters while surrendering just 45 hits. 

3. Dennison Big Red (3, 41-7)  

Denison spent the entire season entrenched in the Perfect Game Top 10 and entered the postseason ranked number two nationally. The Big Red ultimately broke through to advance to their first-ever appearance in the Division III World Series. They won their opening game over Rowan, but lost the next two to have their season come to an end. Denison finished the year with a 41–7 record, sweeping both the NCAC regular-season and tournament titles and capturing the program’s first Super Regional victory. Along the way, the Big Red set nine individual records and two team records, highlighted by a 20-game winning streak.

The Big Red lineup should look strikingly similar to last season’s group, which hit .324 and slugged .497 while swiping 104 bases. Outfielder Erik Sundgren headlines the returning offense after earning First Team All-American honors. He batted .388 with 13 doubles, two triples, and a team-leading 17 home runs, while also pacing the offense with 31 stolen bases. He is far from the only decorated returner. Catcher Jack Lutte has hit .408 across two seasons and, in addition to First Team All-NCAC recognition, earned multiple All-Region honors. Second baseman Eron Vega forced his way into the lineup as a freshman last spring, hitting .310 in 33 games, including 22 starts, while also contributing on the mound in eight appearances with one start. Max Fishbein and Cade Nowik anchor the corner positions. Fishbein transitioned from a reserve role to a full-time starter last season and responded by hitting .307 with 12 doubles. Nowik enters his third year as a starter with a career .328 batting average and a .437 on-base percentage. Shortstop Alex Vasquez has manned the position since 2023 and has steadily elevated his offensive production, hitting .284 last season. Additional key contributors returning to the offense include Jack Steel, who hit .329 in 76 at-bats in 2025, and Andrew Fazio, a catcher who batted .320 in 29 starts. 

The pitching staff faces a transitional year after losing three-quarters of the starting rotation, but there are still proven arms in place. Senior Will Rettig returns as the staff anchor with an 18–2 career record. Last season, he posted a 2.69 ERA over 63⅔ innings while holding opponents to a .201 batting average. Jack Rollo was outstanding in a relief role, appearing in 17 games and finishing with a 2.39 ERA. Ryan Paganelis also returns after working in 10 games, including one start, and recording a 3.37 ERA over 10⅔ innings. Vega adds further versatility on the mound, having limited opponents to a .204 average over 15⅔ innings while striking out 11. 

4. UW-Whitewater Warhawks (1, 49-6) 

With a roster loaded with senior talent, UW–Whitewater spent all of last season firmly entrenched in the Perfect Game Top 5. That experience helped power a championship run, but it also makes a return trip to the World Series a far more difficult task in 2026, as a dozen players from the title-winning team either graduated or departed for other programs to finish their college careers. While the Warhawks have retained enough talent to remain competitive, a third consecutive appearance in the championship series is a tall order, even with several top-shelf transfers joining the roster. 

Catcher Aaron Holland set a single-season school record for hits while batting .403 with 13 doubles and 14 home runs. He was also a strong presence behind the plate, throwing out 16 would-be base stealers. Second baseman Andy Thies started all 55 games and hit .346 with 15 home runs. Jackson Spring and Danny Hopper return as experienced options on the left side of the infield. Spring hit .357 in 56 at-bats, while Hopper batted .379 across 42 starts. Center fielder Dominick McVay stole 12 bases and hit .293 with seven home runs. 

Middle infielder John Ahler is a former Division I player who joins the program seeking increased playing time after stints at Lafayette and Charleston Southern. Other newcomers include Leyten Bowers, a three-year starter at conference rival UW–Stout. The shortstop brings both glove and bat to Whitewater after slashing .385/.475/.678 last season and earning First Team All-WIAC honors. Transfer outfielder Nelson “Q” Phillips was a two-year starter at Division I Wisconsin–Milwaukee and posted a .348 on-base percentage last season. Joe Timm, a transfer from Phoenix College, should also factor into the outfield mix after hitting .424 for the Bears. 

The pitching staff must replace its top four pitchers in innings pitched from last season, but several holdovers are ready to step into larger roles. Ben Lee appeared in 13 games with nine starts and posted a 2.42 ERA over 72 innings while striking out 45 batters. The quartet of Ethan Wickman, Brady Malkow, Jackson Koenig, and Brandon Brust each turned in strong seasons, with all four appearing in at least 15 games and none allowing more hits than innings pitched. 

Additional depth arrives via transfers with Division I experience. Theo Zeidler, who pitched at Bradley, and Benjy Tucker, who previously threw at Sacramento State and Mercer, were both highly regarded recruits out of high school and will look to fulfill their early projections at Whitewater. Transfers Cole Schwochow (Lake Erie College), Gradin Taschner (Bryant & Stratton), and Sam Steuber and Nick West (Madison College) add further experience as they compete for roles on the staff. 

5. Salve Regina Seahawks (9, 36-9) 

Salve Regina continues to build one of the most impressive upward arcs in Division III baseball. The Seahawks finished the season at 36–9 overall and advanced to a second consecutive Super Regional, further reinforcing the program’s transformation over the past decade. In his 12 seasons as head coach, Head Coach Eric Cirella's teams have won 30 or more games five times including the last four consecutive seasons. Entering the new season, the Seahawks project to be more athletic than in years past, with a roster built to sustain postseason success rather than simply chase it. 

Offensively, Salve Regina returns several impact pieces from last season’s lineup. Outfielder Shane Williams enjoyed a breakout year, leading the team with a .373 batting average while recording 17 extra-base hits and 15 stolen bases. His .474 on-base percentage also paced the roster. Freshman shortstop Grady Schopps earned a starting role early and impressed in his first collegiate season, hitting .347 across 39 games with 22 starts. Outfielder Evan O’Rourke led the team in total bases, batting .330 with 14 doubles, two triples, and four home runs, while adding 12 stolen bases. Catcher Shea Donovan returns after posting a .314 batting average and a unique stat line that included 30 hits without a double, along with 15 stolen bases and a triple. Nate Ruehs also returns after contributing in a supplemental role, hitting .277 with a .392 on-base percentage. 

While the Seahawks will not return their top starting pitcher from last season, much of the pitching staff remains intact and poised to take on expanded roles. Kyle Carozza transitioned into the rotation after earning honors as a reliever in 2024 and emerged as a dependable starter. He made 15 starts last season, throwing 62 innings while holding opponents to a .214 batting average. Carozza struck out 74 batters and allowed just 47 hits. Joe DeRienzo and James Keating also return as experienced options. DeRienzo appeared in 14 games with four starts, posting a 2.58 ERA over 38⅓ innings while limiting opponents to a .228 average. Keating made five appearances with three starts, finishing with a 4.30 ERA over 14⅔ innings. 

Another young arm back on the staff is sophomore James Tobin, who appeared in 11 games as a freshman. He logged 31⅓ innings, struck out 31 batters, and finished with a 3.45 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .241 average. Nolan Romanowski headlines the bullpen after earning All-American honors as a freshman. He appeared in 18 games, often working multiple innings, and totaled 47 innings on the season. Romanowski allowed just 26 hits, struck out 34 batters, walked only six, and posted a minuscule 0.57 ERA, surrendering just five extra-base hits, all of which were doubles. 

The pitching staff also receives a significant boost from the return of Sean Mulligan and the addition of transfer LJ Keevan, both of whom are coming back from injury. Mulligan made 15 starts in 2024 and logged 94⅓ innings, allowing only 66 hits while striking out 96 batters. He finished that season with a 2.10 ERA and threw three shutouts. Keevan arrives after three seasons as a starter at Division I Massachusetts–Lowell, where he threw more than 150 innings across 27 starts for the River Hawks, bringing valuable experience and durability to the Seahawk staff. 

6. Salisbury Seagulls (12, 34-10) 

Salisbury continued to cement its place among the Division III elite during the 2025 season. The Sea Gulls finished 34–10, captured their fourth Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) title in the past five years, and claimed their fifth consecutive NCAA Regional championship by sweeping through JWU Providence and Baldwin Wallace twice at the Salisbury Regional. SU also hosted its fourth straight Super Regional, where it was edged by eventual national runner-up Messiah in a pair of tightly contested games. The consistency of Salisbury’s postseason presence speaks to the program’s depth and stability, and that foundation remains firmly intact entering the new season. With an experienced, talented roster returning nearly wholesale, including every starting pitcher and a deep bullpen, the Sea Gulls again profile as a legitimate national title contender. 

Salisbury brings back much of its infield, setting the stage for another productive offensive season. Third baseman Jackson Inman led the way at the plate, batting .353 with 10 doubles, four triples, and seven home runs. Second baseman Max Ehrhardt added a .324 batting average and an elite .483 on-base percentage. Shortstop Trent Waire provided steady defense up the middle while hitting .264 with a .392 on-base percentage and contributing 10 sacrifice hits. Outfielder TJ Morris returns after serving as a part-time starter last season, while Cole Swift is poised to move into a larger role. Swift, who previously spent time at Division I Radford, hit .327 in 52 at-bats and stole 10 bases. 

Several newcomers further deepen the lineup. Freshman Nathan Tondreault profiles as a two-way talent, bringing promise both on the mound and at the plate and likely to find his way into the lineup in some capacity. First baseman Connor Seeley joins the program after two seasons at UMass Boston, where he played sparingly, while outfielder Jay Newton arrives after initially signing with Mount St. Mary’s out of high school and is expected to contend for a regular starting role. 

On the mound, Salisbury’s strength is unmistakable. Tyler Villa earned multiple All-C2C and regional honors after posting a 2.96 ERA across 70 innings. Entering his fourth season as a starter, Villa does not rely on overpowering stuff, instead consistently limiting damage and working efficiently. Aidan Brinsfield also returns after two strong seasons, entering the year with a perfect 10–0 record as a Gull. Last season, he logged 63 innings, posted a 3.29 ERA, struck out 67 batters, and allowed just 48 hits. Cole Williams thrived in a hybrid role, appearing in 20 games with eight starts and finishing with a 3.69 ERA over 68⅓ innings. 

The bullpen remains both deep and proven. Aiden Hankins led both the team and conference with 23 relief appearances, recording a 2.93 ERA across 30⅔ innings. Josh Rivera was outstanding after transferring from Division I UMBC, allowing only 12 hits in 18⅔ innings while striking out 24 batters. Garrett Beaver added reliability with a 3.37 ERA in 19 appearances, including two starts, and held opponents to a .238 batting average over 34⅔ innings. Bryce Sterling provided late-inning stability, striking out 24 batters in 22 innings while walking only two. He finished with a 3.27 ERA across 21 appearances and earned six saves. 

With continuity across the rotation, depth in relief, and a lineup blending experience with new contributors, Salisbury enters the season built not just to return to the postseason, but to push beyond recent near-misses and challenge for the program’s ultimate prize. 

7. Trinity Tigers (6, 41-10) 

Trinity finished the season with 41 wins, the second-highest total in program history and just the second 40-win campaign the Tigers have ever produced. The season also marked the program’s fourth appearance in the NCAA Division III College World Series, with all four trips coming since 2015, underscoring the sustained national relevance Trinity has built over the past decade. While the Tigers must replace several key contributors from last year’s lineup, the foundation of the program remains firmly in place. Entering 2026, Trinity will be tested in a new competitive environment after joining the Southern Athletic Association alongside Southwestern, a move that should provide consistent, postseason-caliber competition and further prepare the Tigers for the demands of another deep NCAA tournament run. 

Many of the most prolific hitters from last season’s lineup have moved on, but much of the remaining everyday group returns. Kaleb Woodward, a two-time All-SCAC selection, is back after batting .335 with a .507 slugging percentage over his Trinity career. The center fielder also reached double digits in stolen bases last season. Nicholas Jones turned in a strong first year on campus, hitting .292 with a .459 on-base percentage and providing steady production near the top of the order. Middle infielders Michael Lustina and Cam Champness also return to the lineup. Lustina hit .291 last season after spending time experimenting on the mound in 2024 and recorded 10 extra-base hits across 33 games, including 26 starts. Champness batted .322 in a part-time role and should be in line for expanded opportunities. Will Baker delivered an impressive freshman season, batting .293 with a lofty .515 on-base percentage while drawing 46 walks and being hit by pitch seven times, giving the Tigers another patient, high-contact option in the lineup. 

The Tigers’ pitching staff is shaping up to be one of the strongest in Division III baseball. Jace Clay, Brandon Morio, and Jack Beck all return as experienced starters capable of anchoring the rotation. Clay led the team with 66⅔ innings last season, striking out 61 batters while holding opposing hitters to a .253 batting average. Morio rebounded from a challenging 2024 to deliver an outstanding campaign, particularly in conference play. He made 15 appearances with six starts, finished with a 2.77 ERA, and struck out a batter per inning. Will Taylor and Jack Bussard provide reliable depth out of the bullpen. Opponents hit just .182 against Taylor over 38 innings, as he posted a 2.37 ERA and earned the win in seven of his 16 relief appearances. Bussard made 12 appearances, including one spot start, and logged 25 innings while allowing only 18 hits and finishing with a 3.24 ERA. Graduate closer Will Hellings has been largely dependable at the back end of the bullpen, striking out 86 batters over 70⅓ innings across two seasons at Trinity and providing late-inning stability.
 
8. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags (13, 35-15)  

The conclusion of the season did little to diminish what was a historic year for the Stags. CMS finished 32–15, setting a new program record for wins in a season and surpassing the previous mark of 30 that had stood since 1972. The campaign also marked the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996, when the Stags pushed Cal Lutheran to five games. While the season ended with a loss to East Texas Baptist, which improved to 39–8 and advanced to host the Super Regional round, the broader arc of CMS’s year reflected a program reestablishing itself on the national stage. The departure of Andrew Mazzone, the 2025 Division III Perfect Game Player of the Year, represents a significant loss, but the remainder of the roster returns with postseason experience and momentum that should carry forward. 

The lineup remains deep and experienced. Carter Bennett started all 50 games as a freshman and hit .320, adding 11 doubles, five triples, and 10 home runs. The second baseman is expected to slot in as the team’s leadoff hitter this season. First baseman Alex Henderson led the team in hits and finished with a team-high 19 home runs, 11 of which came during a seven-game NCAA Tournament run. He closed the season with a .389 batting average and 16 doubles. Shortstop Dillon Martin paired high-level defense with a strong offensive season, hitting .336 with a .408 on-base percentage. He added 18 doubles, six triples, and seven home runs, producing a .571 slugging percentage. 

Rider Gordon and Bryce Didrickson anchor the left side of the infield. Gordon hit .329 as the team’s primary third baseman, while Didrickson, a senior left fielder entering his fourth full season at CMS, posted a career-high .304 batting average with eight home runs. His plate discipline boosted his on-base percentage to .427, thanks to 32 walks and nine hit-by-pitches. Nate Seluga and Blaise Heher round out the outfield. Seluga hit .306 and stole 11 bases, while Heher added a .291 average with 11 doubles. 

The pitching staff is nearly as experienced as the everyday lineup and returns several proven arms. Junior sidearm pitcher Parker McGraw appeared in 25 games with four starts, posting a 2.91 ERA and striking out 60 batters over 68 innings. Kody Perry and Dominic Rolla return as established starters. Perry made nine appearances with five starts and recorded a 4.05 ERA while striking out 22 batters in 20 innings. Rolla tied for the team lead with 15 starts last season, totaling 63⅔ innings in his second year as a starter and striking out 112 batters across 115⅓ collegiate innings. 

Bryant Smaaladen enters his fourth season on the mound after appearing in 27 games with seven starts over three years. Freshmen Tegin Maloney and Joshua Lewis are also expected to log meaningful innings. Maloney arrives after setting the New Mexico Athletics Association state record with 387 career strikeouts, while Lewis helped lead his team to a conference championship, adding further depth and upside to the staff. 

9. Kean Cougars (7, 41-11) 

Kean closed the 2025 season with a 41–11 overall record, marking just the third time in program history the Cougars have reached the 40-win plateau. The season reinforced Kean’s standing as one of the NJAC’s most consistent national contenders, even as roster turnover now defines the path forward. The Cougars must replace their top two hitters and their ace from last spring, but the broader framework of the roster remains intact. With a veteran core returning on both sides of the ball and a track record of navigating transition successfully, Kean enters 2026 positioned to remain competitive in league play while reshaping its identity around depth, athleticism, and pitching continuity. 

Outfielder Tyler Stone returns after starting all 52 games and delivering one of the most complete seasons in the NJAC. He hit .340 with 14 doubles, five triples, and four home runs, while adding 10 stolen bases and earning First Team All-NJAC honors. After a difficult offensive season in 2024, Dominic Masino reemerged as a key contributor, batting .298 with nine doubles and four triples. He also stole 17 bases and earned multiple honors for his defense at shortstop. His infield counterpart at third base, Brett Hilsheimer, hit .289 with a .411 slugging percentage and also received All-NJAC recognition. 

Several other regulars return to anchor the lineup. Senior outfielder Justin Teixeira has hit .293 across three seasons and posted a .394 on-base percentage with 14 stolen bases last year. Dan Reistle and Nick Sellari handle the right side of the infield and both bring speed and contact ability. Reistle hit .336 last season, while Sellari batted .318 and stole 32 bases, giving the Cougars a dynamic presence on the base paths. 

With last season’s ace having signed professionally with the Boston Red Sox, the responsibility of leading the rotation shifts to Christian Pareja and Lucas White. While neither profiles as a high-strikeout arm, both have demonstrated a strong ability to limit runs and control tempo on the mound. Pareja made 12 starts and posted a 2.99 ERA with a 6–1 record, striking out 47 batters across 69 innings. White impressed as a freshman, making 10 appearances, including six starts, and finishing with a 2.95 ERA. He added a complete game, a save, and 43 strikeouts over 58 innings. 

Connor Ramsey also returns as a key arm after posting a 2.32 ERA over 31 innings in nine appearances, including five starts. Additional depth comes from transfers Anthony Marano, who arrives from Division I William & Mary, and Anthony Holtje, who pitched previously at Division II St. Thomas Aquinas. At the back end of the bullpen, Jason Basilicata was exceptional in the closer role. He led the team with 21 appearances, logged 45⅓ innings, and held opponents to a .213 batting average while striking out 48 batters and posting a 2.18 ERA. In addition to earning All-American honors, Basilicata was named NJAC Fireman of the Year, giving Kean one of the most reliable late-inning options in the region. 

10. Messiah Falcons (10, 39-16) 

The 2025 season marked a watershed moment for Messiah University baseball. The Falcons finished with a 39–16 overall record, setting a new single-season wins record after eclipsing the mark established just one year earlier in 2024. Along the way, Messiah captured its sixth conference championship and authored the most significant postseason run in program history. The Falcons swept all three games in the regional round, defeating Methodist to advance to their first-ever Super Regional appearance. From there, they continued their surge by knocking off Salisbury University in two games to earn the program’s first trip to the NCAA Division III College World Series. 

Once in Cedar Rapids, the Falcons showed they belonged on the sport’s biggest stage. They cruised through Pool One with three victories by a combined score of 33–14, advancing to the Division III Championship Series. Messiah ultimately fell in two games in the title round, finishing as the national runner-up in its first World Series appearance. The run was especially remarkable considering the Falcons stood at just 17–11 in mid-April, viewed at the time as a solid but unspectacular team. Instead, they surged late, gained confidence with each round, and now return a roster that is still young overall but seasoned by the experience of a deep postseason march. 

Offensively, Messiah combines high-contact hitting with relentless pressure on the bases. The Falcons outstole opponents 158–46 last season, a defining statistic that reflects both athleticism and intent. Center fielder and leadoff hitter Isaiah Parido started all 55 games and finished second on the team with a .319 batting average. He added 15 doubles, six triples, 11 home runs, and 20 stolen bases, serving as the engine at the top of the lineup. Third baseman Drew Hurst did not quite match his .366 average from his freshman season but still turned in a productive year, batting .285 with 16 stolen bases. Senior outfielder Luke Ott finished with a .304 average and earned All-MAC Commonwealth honors. 

Depth also played a major role in the Falcons’ offensive success. Carter Reid excelled in a part-time role, appearing in 29 games and hitting .371 in 35 at-bats. David Martinez returns for his fifth season on the roster after batting .308 with 11 doubles and 13 stolen bases last year. Nick Moyer, the team’s everyday shortstop for each of the past two seasons, is also back to anchor the middle of the infield. 

On the mound, Messiah brings back an imposing amount of continuity. All four primary starting pitchers return, along with a deep group of relief arms that played key roles throughout the postseason. Christian Foltz led the staff with 76⅓ innings, allowing just 57 hits while striking out 98 batters, a total that finished just outside the national top ten. Zachary Harris was named Conference Rookie of the Year after starting 12 of his 17 appearances and throwing 74 innings. He closed his freshman campaign with a 3.89 ERA, 78 strikeouts, a .228 opponents’ batting average, and a 1.09 WHIP. Jason Long added stability to the rotation with 14 starts, logging 72⅔ innings with 67 strikeouts and a 3.84 ERA. Daniel Knight contributed in a swing role, throwing 55 innings across eight starts and 17 total appearances. 

The bullpen also returns key contributors. Trey Harper appeared in 22 games and posted a 3.82 ERA over 37⅔ innings, while Sawyer Shepherd worked in a dual role and limited opposing hitters to a .235 average across 28 innings. With experience across every pitching role and a roster hardened by postseason success, Messiah opens the season with expectations no longer hypothetical, but firmly established.

11. Cortland State Red Dragons (19, 31-13) 

Under the direction of Joe Brown, the Red Dragons continue to set the standard for sustained excellence in college baseball, carrying the nation’s longest active postseason streak at 32 consecutive playoff appearances. To the casual observer, that run may have appeared threatened last spring when Cortland sat at 10–10 in late March. History, however, suggests otherwise. Cortland annually subjects itself to one of the most demanding non-conference schedules in the country as a means of postseason preparation, and 2026 is no exception. The Red Dragons open the year against a gauntlet that includes Lynchburg, Denison, Christopher Newport, and Marietta, followed shortly by matchups with Rowan, Kean, and Johns Hopkins. The purpose is clear: sharpen early, endure often, and be ready when games matter most. As always, Cortland’s identity remains rooted in speed, contact, and a high on-base approach that stresses opponents across nine innings. 

Despite roster turnover, the Red Dragons return key pieces that provide continuity and leadership. Talon Elkins, Lucas Granger, and Nolan Smith form the backbone of the returning core. Elkins earned SUNYAC Co–Rookie of the Year honors after appearing in 37 games with 28 starts. The second baseman hit .385 in 104 at-bats and settled into the leadoff role late in the season. He also saw time on the mound, appearing in five games. Granger returns in center field after batting .282 with a .407 on-base percentage and eight stolen bases. Smith anchors first base after earning SUNYAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, recording 251 putouts and 20 assists without committing an error. He was equally productive offensively, hitting .340 with a .441 on-base percentage, 12 doubles, two triples, and two home runs. 

The offense is further bolstered by a pair of impactful transfers. Trey McGowan arrives from Oswego after batting .429 with 17 stolen bases for the Lakers. The second baseman is exceptionally difficult to strike out, having gone down just 26 times in 255 at-bats. Tristan Gatchalian transfers in from Marywood after hitting .400 with 16 doubles, two triples, and five home runs as the Pacers’ everyday first baseman. He was also named a New York Collegiate Baseball League All-Star over the summer, adding another polished bat to the lineup. 

On the mound, Cortland enters a transitional phase after graduating much of last season’s pitching staff, but the next wave of arms is already lining up for opportunity. Dan Collins headlines that group. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound sophomore showed significant upside last season, striking out 13 batters in 11 innings, and entered college regarded as a potential top-10-round professional prospect if his development continues. Elkins is also expected to take on a starting role, pairing his offensive value with pitching efficiency after allowing just four hits while facing 29 batters last year. Warren Miller, who threw sparingly a season ago, brings pedigree and promise after striking out 14 batters in seven innings during his high school Class A sectional playoffs and recording 10 strikeouts in 9⅓ innings across 12 appearances for Cortland. 

Experience arrives in the form of Connor Hayden, a four-year Division I arm from Wagner. Hayden appeared in 51 games and logged more than 200 innings for the Seahawks. In 2023, he struck out 73 batters over 75⅔ innings and was recognized as one of the nation’s top 150 starting pitchers by D1Baseball.com. The bullpen also features several reliable options. Tommy Lynch owns a 2.17 ERA over 29 innings with a 0.83 WHIP. Zac Zarilli struck out 19 batters in 14 innings across 10 appearances, while Brady Mazzeo appeared in 11 games and posted a 2.31 ERA. 

The names may change, but the formula remains intact. With elite scheduling, a lineup built on pressure, and a new wave of arms stepping into established roles, Cortland once again looks equipped to turn early-season adversity into late-season inevitability. Thirty-two straight playoff appearances didn’t happen by accident, and there is little in this roster to suggest the run is nearing its end. 

12. Johns Hopkins Blue Jays (4, 44-5) 

Johns Hoplkins spent almost the entire 2025 season as the top team in the Perfect Game rankings. They were dominant all season long and rolled through the initial rounds of the playoffs. In the Centennial Conference Tournament they won two of three games by ten runs or more, swept through the NCAA Regional with another pair of lopsided wins and had two solid wins in the Super Regional over Case Western to advance to the DIII College World Series for the seventh time in school history. Despite being heavily favored in the opening game of the CWS, they were crushed by upstart Messiah who scored 12 runs in a single inning to deflate their title aspirations. What remaining hope for a championship was extinguished the next day as they were eliminated by Kean. A return to the final eight seems unlikely for JHU.  Almost the entire hitting lineup from last season has moved on, as well as a number of notable pitchers. They also will be playing their first season under a new head coach, Nate Mulberg, who came to the team after  

JHU returns two regular outfielders from last season. Alex Shane slashed .332/.450/.604 with 11 home runs and led the team in both doubles (18) and walks (34). He reached base in 18 of the team’s final 19 games. Jacob Harris hit .341 with nine home runs and 11 doubles.  In the Centennial Conference Tournament he went 10 for 13 with three home runs. Catcher Clay Hartje also will be back. The junior has a .315 average headed into the season. He had seven home runs last season and started 32 of 39 games, typically as the team’s DH.  Lucas Geer has performed well in a mixed role for the Blue Jays. Last year he made 21 starts and batted .341 in 82 at bats. William Juan, a graduate student, made 13 starts at DI Cornell last season. He plays first base and can also pitch. 

While the experienced starting staff has been nearly depleted, JHU does have a number of pitchers who excelled in relief roles returning to the team. William Bonerno appeared in 19 games last season and threw 27 ⅓ innings of baseball  while only allowing 19 hits. Ryan Anderson made 16 appearances with a 3.04 ERA. Cole Jefferson will be throwing his fourth year for the Blue Jays and has gotten remarkably better each season. Last year he held opposition to a .194 batting average over 19 ⅓ innings. Also back is Thomas Cancian, a senior who appeared in 15 games, totaling 18 innings in which he only allowed 11 hits and four walks. Most notably, the staff returns one of DIII’s top closers. Grant Meert led the Blue Jays with six saves and 42 strikeouts across 22 2/3 innings. He finished with a 1.19 ERA allowing only three earned runs and 17 hits—only three of which were for extra bases. Dyan Zucker and Zach Prager have joined the staff to help them reload. Zucker, a graduate student, pitched at Wake Forest, and Prager is a highly rated freshman from Austin, Texas.  

13. Case Western Reserve Spartans (11, 30-14-1)  

Case Western Reserve authored one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2025, advancing to the Super Regional round of the NCAA Division III Championship for the first time and capturing its third University Athletic Association title in the past four years. The run underscored the Spartans’ steady rise within the conference and on the national stage. Much of that success was driven by a prolific offense that ranked among the nation’s best, finishing 12th nationally in hits, 18th in home runs, 21st in both batting average and runs scored, and 23rd in doubles. Entering the new season, however, the identity of the team is set to shift. With much of the offensive production having moved on, the burden now falls to the pitching staff, which returns intact after all nine pitchers who logged the most innings last season are back on campus. The identity has changed, but the path to winning has not. 

Offensively, the Spartans return a limited but experienced core. Tyler Stillson started all 45 games last season, primarily serving as the designated hitter. He batted .349 while leading the team with 15 doubles, to go along with two triples and eight home runs. Stillson also contributed on the mound, making nine starts. Shortstop Nate Arterburn is the only everyday position player back at the same spot in the lineup. He was the lone Spartan to start every game at the same position and raised his batting average to .268, while excelling in run-producing situations with a .373 average with runners in scoring position. Matt Trout made 15 starts in center field and finished with a .266 batting average, boosting his on-base percentage to .415 through a disciplined approach at the plate. 

With the majority of last year’s regulars having graduated, several freshmen and sophomores will compete for expanded roles. The lineup also gains a significant addition in Eli Westrick, a graduate transfer from Wooster and an All-American middle infielder. In 2023, Westrick hit .418 with 14 doubles and four triples, while also contributing on the mound with 55 innings and a 4.25 ERA, giving Case Western a versatile and proven option as it retools offensively. 

The Spartans’ strength, however, resides squarely on the mound. Senior Archer Stankowski led the team in both wins and innings despite working primarily out of the bullpen. He struck out 38 batters over the season and finished with a 4.98 ERA. Quinn Saunders emerged as one of the staff’s most effective arms, striking out 56 batters in 45⅔ innings while holding opponents to 38 hits and a .228 batting average against. Stillson also played a key role in the rotation, striking out 40 batters across 43⅔ innings in his nine starts. 

Sophomore Charlie Griffith made 11 appearances with eight starts, striking out 40 batters while allowing a .243 opponents’ average across 40⅓ innings. Despite being a freshman, Oliver Miller tied for the team lead with 15 appearances and impressed with 35 strikeouts over 32⅓ innings, allowing just 26 hits for a .226 opponents’ average. Ayush Shett adds another young, reliable arm after appearing in 14 games and striking out 27 batters while walking only 11 across 30 innings. Zach Barnes and Eric Colgrove also logged double-digit appearances, with Colgrove contributing additional versatility by making five starts.  

With continuity on the mound and experience across every pitching role, Case Western enters the season equipped to control games in ways last year’s offense-driven roster could not. 

14. Centre Colonels (17, 32-11) 

Centre spent the entirety of the season entrenched in the Perfect Game Top 25, climbing as high as No. 16 before closing the year at No. 17. The Colonels finished second in the Southern Athletic Association with a 32–11 overall record, continuing a remarkable three-year ascent that has redefined the program’s ceiling. Their postseason run was cut short in the SAA Championship Tournament, where Centre advanced deep before the remainder of the event was canceled due to rain just ahead of a matchup with top seed Millsaps. The Colonels earned an NCAA Tournament berth and made noise in regional play, eliminating two teams before being edged by Case Western Reserve following a late rally. The broader arc, however, tells the story. Centre won 28 games in 2023, followed by 36 in 2024 and 32 in 2025, the three highest single-season win totals in the program’s 125-year history. With every member of the starting lineup returning, the Colonels enter the season built to compete for a national championship rather than merely chase another deep run. 

Ben Prather stands as one of the premier two-way players in Division III baseball and serves as the engine for Centre on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he has been a consistent force throughout his career, leading the team last season with a .377 batting average, 12 doubles, and 27 stolen bases. As the team’s leadoff hitter and designated hitter, Prather posted a .469 on-base percentage while showcasing his versatility by playing six different positions over the course of the season. He also appeared in 11 games on the mound. Center fielder Ayden Lohr delivered another standout year, batting .352 and leading the Colonels with 11 home runs while adding 12 stolen bases. Behind the plate, Evan Weyler returns for his fourth season as the team’s catcher, continuing to guide the pitching staff while contributing offensively. He hit .323 with six home runs and 12 stolen bases last year. 

The middle of the lineup remains deep and experienced. Graham Johnson, a former Western Kentucky signee, is set to occupy a run-producing role in the outfield after hitting .310 with four home runs in 100 at-bats. Aaron Lopez and Baylor Woodall return to anchor the middle infield. Lopez batted .326, while Woodall hit .313 at third base. Jonah Porter, who hit .344 across 30 games and 90 at-bats, also returns, along with Jamison Craig, who batted .313 in 80 at-bats as a freshman. 

As impactful as Prather is at the plate, he may be even more dominant on the mound. Last season, he posted a 2.62 ERA over 68⅔ innings, striking out 63 batters and holding opponents to a .221 batting average. Harrison Cowdrey and Isaac Rone provide Centre with additional experienced starting options. Cowdrey led the staff with a team-best 2.51 ERA, throwing 71⅔ innings and striking out 70 batters. Rone started seven of his 15 appearances and struck out 51 batters across 47⅔ innings. 

The pitching depth extends well beyond the rotation. Nolan Asher, one of Kentucky’s top prep arms, is expected to compete for innings early. Zach Heavern emerged as a dominant bullpen presence last season, appearing in 20 games and posting a 2.78 ERA while striking out 62 batters in 58⅓ innings. He allowed just 47 hits and 15 walks, finishing with a 1.06 WHIP. TJ Schira and Aidan Christmas add further stability in relief, combining for 33 appearances, 64⅓ innings, and 77 strikeouts while each earning two saves. 

15. Rowan Profs (5, 38-12) 

Rowan finished the season at 38–12, setting a program mark for most wins under head coach Mike Dickson and the third-highest win total in school history. The Profs also recorded their most victories in the Division III World Series since 1979. While several members of the everyday lineup earned All-NJAC honors, few of those position players return this season. The pitching staff, however, is in far better shape, with a pair of frontline arms and a deep group of relievers back on the mound. 

NJAC Rookie of the Year Damon Suriani returns to the middle of the lineup after an outstanding debut season. In 34 games, including 26 starts, he batted .404 in 104 at-bats and stole 11 bases. Rowan also brings back corner infielders Nick Struble and Brayden Davis. Struble hit .400 as the team’s primary first baseman, while Davis started 45 games at third base, batting .309 with eight home runs and 11 doubles. Shortstop Joey Bogart owns a .322 batting average over two seasons and was a regular in the lineup last year, posting a .423 on-base percentage while providing steady defense. Outfielder Mason Dorsey and catcher Jason Schooley also contributed in part-time roles. 

Several newcomers are expected to compete for playing time. Ian Murphy arrives after serving as a part-time starter at Division II Barton, while Evan McCoach joins the Profs after being a highly regarded outfielder out of high school who did not see game action during his freshman year at Rutgers. 

On the mound, Rowan will be led by returning starters and Preseason All-America selection Zach Coluccio alongside sophomore Austin Kreyenhagen. Coluccio earned All-Conference honors after compiling a 10–1 record across 13 appearances. He logged 83⅓ innings, allowing 76 hits while striking out 77 batters. Kreyenhagen was outstanding as a freshman, appearing in 11 games with six starts. He threw two complete games and finished with a 2.92 ERA over 49⅓ innings. 

The bullpen returns key contributors in Mark Grubb and Christian Rice. Grubb appeared in 15 games, totaling 19 innings with a 4.26 ERA, while Rice made 17 appearances and struck out 24 batters in 21⅓ innings. His final ERA was skewed by a late-season outing against offensive powerhouse UW–Whitewater. Additional depth arrives with Jake Andrey, Dane Samartino, and Ben Schild. Schild made eight solid appearances, including four starts, at UConn in 2024 before redshirting last season.  

16. Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens (NR, 32-17) 

Pomona–Pitzer enters the new season looking to extend a period of sustained success after back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. The Sagehens return a veteran-heavy roster, bringing back 15 upperclassmen from last year’s team, a level of experience that provides both continuity and leadership across the diamond. That returning group includes some of the program’s most accomplished performers, positioning Pomona–Pitzer to remain competitive within the SCIAC and on the national stage. After multiple postseason trips, the focus now shifts from simply returning to the tournament to taking the next step forward. 

Headlining the roster is 2025 All-American and SCIAC Athlete of the Year Jack Gold, who, along with Cooper Berry, earned ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team honors last season. The Sagehens also return six position players who appeared in more than 30 games in 2025, giving the lineup a strong foundation of experience and production as it reloads for another postseason push. 

Gold started 43 games last season, primarily splitting time between left field and second base, and delivered one of the most dynamic offensive seasons in the conference. He slashed .346/.505/.752 with 15 home runs, 13 doubles, two triples, and 12 stolen bases. Third baseman Cooper Berry was equally impactful, batting .319 with 17 doubles and 12 home runs. Berry also displayed elite plate discipline, drawing 20 walks and being hit by pitch 23 times to reach base at a .319 clip. Shortstop Greg Pierantoni was unable to replicate his .370 batting average from his freshman season but remained an important contributor, posting a .393 on-base percentage while anchoring the infield defensively. 

The outfield returns multiple proven options. Lateef Wakil slashed .316/.482/.436 and brings speed and efficiency on the bases, having yet to be caught stealing in his collegiate career. Tanner DeGrazia rejoins Wakil in the outfield and enters his fourth season with the program after batting .309 last year. Additional offensive reinforcements include Kai Gonzaga, who saw his season cut short by injury in the opening series last spring, and freshman catcher Will Parker, who adds depth behind the plate. 

On the mound, Pomona–Pitzer returns two key starters from the 2025 rotation in Jack Wiessinger and Max Brunngraber. Wiessinger made 12 starts and recorded 54 strikeouts, finishing with a 5.47 ERA, while also authoring the program’s first no-hitter in a decade against Cal Lutheran. Brunngraber started 11 games last season, striking out 36 batters while posting a 6.67 ERA. Freshman Will Polishuk made six appearances, including four starts, and struck out 12 batters in 12⅔ innings. While command proved to be a challenge, his raw stuff suggests significant upside if he can consistently find the strike zone. 

The bullpen returns several experienced arms. Wade Lawson appeared in 16 games and posted a 3.33 ERA, while Justin Zerger logged 15 outings with a 4.56 ERA. Della Britta rounded out the relief corps with 16 appearances and a 5.00 ERA. With experience across both the rotation and bullpen, the Sagehens enter the season equipped to navigate the length and demands of another postseason chase. 

17. Keene Owls (NR, 25-17) 

Keene State’s rise over the past four seasons has followed a clear and accelerating curve, with each year building sharply on the last. What began as a full-scale rebuild has turned into sustained momentum, and now, entering this season, the Owls appear poised to crest. Under head coach Justin Blood, the program has moved from single-digit wins to postseason relevance in rapid succession, culminating in a 2025 campaign that saw Keene surge late, win 17 of its final 19 games, and capture a conference championship. That run was no anomaly. It was the product of a roster that has matured together, gained postseason scar tissue, and now returns in bulk, anchored by a 17-member junior class. The growth has been steady, the steps have been deliberate, and all signs point to this being the year the trajectory finally breaks through in a big way.  

Offensively, Keene State may not overwhelm opponents with power, but the lineup consistently puts the ball in play and manufactures runs. Leadoff-hitting catcher Evan Cali returns for his fourth season as a starter and has shown steady improvement each year. Last season, he batted .338 with 12 doubles and eight stolen bases. Otis Follet and Luke Anderson return to anchor the middle of the infield. Follet has hit .326 in each of the past two seasons at shortstop, leading the team in batting average in 2024, while Anderson batted .268 as a sophomore in his first full season as a starter. 

Senior third baseman Evan McCue also returns after raising his batting average to .324 last season and adding 12 doubles. First baseman Jonathan Chatfield will again occupy the middle of the order after hitting .314 with 11 doubles and a team-leading nine home runs. Outfielder Ethan Rainha enjoyed a breakout year in his first full season, batting .321 while committing just one error across 62 career games, giving the Owls a reliable presence on both sides of the ball. 

The pitching staff returns intact at the top, led by the tandem of Jake Jachym and Camden Thomas. Jachym made 13 appearances with 10 starts last season, throwing 70⅔ innings while limiting opponents to 67 hits and a .247 batting average, finishing with a 3.57 ERA. Thomas, a three-year starter, was even more effective, holding opposing hitters to a .178 batting average across 54⅔ innings. He allowed just 35 hits, struck out 54 batters, and posted a 2.96 ERA. 

Depth on the mound remains a strength. David Floyd excelled in a dual role, starting five games among 12 appearances and striking out 52 batters over 36 innings while posting a 3.50 ERA. Nathan Pirog emerged as a reliable freshman starter, striking out 42 batters in 33 innings across eight starts. Senior Troy Brennan anchors the bullpen, having appeared exclusively in relief over the past two seasons. In 2025, he struck out 25 batters across 23⅔ innings, bringing experience and stability to late-inning situations. 

With a veteran core, postseason experience, and a roster that has grown together through adversity, Keene State enters the new season poised to take the next step in a rebuild that is no longer theoretical, but firmly underway. 

18. Webster Gorlocks (18, 37-9) 

Webster enters the 2026 season coming off one of the most successful campaigns in program history. The Gorloks finished 37–9 overall, including a dominant 17–1 mark in conference play, and closed the year ranked No. 22 nationally. Webster swept the 2025 SLIAC regular-season title and conference tournament before earning the right to host an NCAA Regional, where its postseason run ultimately came to an end. The 37-win season represented a 13-win improvement over the 2024 campaign and underscored the rapid ascent of the program within the Division III landscape. While roster turnover on the offensive side may limit eye-catching power numbers, Webster remains built to win through speed, pressure, and run prevention, anchored by a pitching staff that features two preseason All-Americans and keeps the Gorloks firmly in the national conversation. 

At the center of Webster’s offensive identity is center fielder James Theodore, who has been exceptional in his first two seasons with the program. As a freshman, he hit .424, and he followed that performance by batting .346 last season while stealing 38 bases. His ability to set the tone at the top of the lineup will be central to Webster’s run production. Ryan Hartz also returns after a productive season in which he hit .282, added six home runs, and stole 15 bases. Behind the plate, Dalton Groves hit .287 and threw out 11 would-be base stealers while committing just two errors. 

Several players with upside factor into the offensive mix. Nick Wrubluski, who played at Division I Jacksonville as a freshman, looks to realize his potential after being regarded as one of Florida’s top catching prospects out of high school. Ethan Wielt hit .302 as a freshman in 2024 at Lewis and Clark Community College but was limited to 21 at-bats last season. Additional reinforcements include transfer Adam Moser from Division II Texas–Tyler, along with freshmen Logan Manuello and Braedan Trissell, who add depth and competition throughout the lineup. 

Pitching is unquestionably the backbone of the roster, with each of the top starters from last season returning. Ryan Greifelt, the reigning SLIAC Pitcher of the Year, leads the staff after throwing 92 innings and holding opponents to a .215 batting average. He struck out 89 batters, posted a 1.03 WHIP, and finished with a 2.74 ERA. Carter Hunt was equally effective, striking out 65 batters across 64⅓ innings while allowing just 47 hits. He recorded a 2.10 ERA and limited opponents to a .203 batting average. Elijah Rompala-Matthews made 11 starts in 13 appearances and logged 46 innings with a 3.91 ERA. 

The staff also adds depth through transfers Kendall Horton, who previously pitched at Fontbonne before the program closed, and Cole Eggerding from Truman State. Freshmen Tristan Lakis and Colt Amburst are additional arms who could see innings as the season progresses. With a proven rotation, depth throughout the staff, and an offensive approach built around speed and pressure, Webster enters the season positioned to defend its conference dominance while remaining a factor on the national stage.  

19. Penn State Harrisburg Lions (16, 34-13-1) 

Penn State Harrisburg continued its rise as a Division III baseball power in 2025, winning at least 30 games for the fourth consecutive season, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight year, and hosting an NCAA Regional for the third consecutive spring. The Lions’ consistency has become a defining feature of the program, which in just over a decade has made seven NCAA Championship appearances, hosted multiple regionals, and claimed four conference titles, establishing itself as a perennial contender on the national stage. With a veteran roster that blends returning leadership and postseason experience, Harrisburg enters 2026 aiming not merely to reach the tournament again but to push deeper into the bracket than ever before. 

Pivotal to that continuity are two of the team’s most productive hitters from a year ago: Blaine Waltimyer and Demetre Koutras III. Waltimyer, an outfielder, slashed .394 and set a new program record for doubles with 24, while also adding two triples, eight home runs, and 19 stolen bases. He reached base at an elite clip and was a catalyst atop the lineup. Koutras led the Lions with a .414 batting average and posted a .505 on-base percentage, also driving the ball with authority for a .511 slugging percentage. Third baseman Alexander Ruiz made a seamless transition after transferring from Division II Bloomsburg, hitting .333 with nine doubles and compiling a .452 on-base percentage. Senior infielder Tim Haftl contributed as a part-time starter, batting .314 over 30 games with 16 starts. Back behind the plate, Matthew Johansen returns after batting .345 as a freshman, and the outfield will again benefit from the presence of Braeden Piotrowski, who hit .266 in the outfield despite starting just seven games a year ago. 

On the mound, the Lions bring back one of Division III’s most reliable arms in Fisher Druck, who over the last three seasons posted a 3.39 ERA in 175⅓ innings while holding opponents to a .247 batting average. Druck’s performance last season earned him United East All-Conference First Team honors as well as the Penn State Harrisburg Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Behind him is Bradyn Eckert, who provided a second seasoned starter, logging 43⅓ innings with a 4.57 ERA and 50 strikeouts while limiting hitters to a .225 average. Jack Maguire also saw starting action as a freshman, appearing in 12 games with four starts. 

The bullpen returns depth and experience as well. Dylan Sattazahn was the team’s top relief arm statistically, appearing in a team-leading 21 games and striking out 47 batters in 33 innings while posting a 2.73 ERA. Senior Sam Thompson has pitched in 30 games and worked 51⅓ innings out of the bullpen with a 4.21 ERA, giving Harrisburg veteran presence late in games. 

20. Belhaven Blazers (24, 34-15) 

Belhaven returns to the diamond looking to build on one of the most successful seasons in program history after advancing to the NCAA Super Regional round a year ago. The Blazers finished 34–15 in 2025, captured the program’s first-ever Collegiate Conference of the South championship, and announced themselves as a postseason threat on the national stage. The upcoming season also marks the start of a new era under head coach Patrick Robey, who inherits a roster that returns more than a dozen players from that breakthrough campaign. Much of last year’s success was fueled by a wave of transfers who quickly gelled, transforming Belhaven into one of the CCS’s most balanced and dangerous teams. That formula remains intact. The Blazers hit for contact, pressure opponents with speed, and enter the season with a deep pitching staff tasked with sustaining last year’s momentum. 

The offense again features an experienced and athletic core. Leadoff hitter JD Weed made an immediate impact after transferring from Copiah–Lincoln, batting .316 with 10 doubles, five triples, six home runs, and 16 stolen bases. First baseman Blake McCarthy was another key addition, hitting .336 and reaching base at a .453 clip in his first season with the program. Nick Thornton, a transfer from Mississippi Gulf Coast, led the team with a .429 batting average, while freshman shortstop Austin Canale batted .288 and provided steady defense up the middle. Owen Abney, the 2024 CCS Player of the Year, returns after leading the team that season with a .350 average and 10 home runs. He was limited to 23 starts in a part-time role last year but remains one of the most dangerous bats on the roster. 

Several other contributors return to round out the lineup. Catcher Ryan Parker, a transfer addition who had previously signed with Division I Arkansas State after hitting .378 at Pearl River Community College, contributed last season and remains an important piece behind the plate. Center fielder Hayden Roberts returns after batting .307 in his first year with the Blazers following a transfer from Itawamba Community College. 

On the mound, Belhaven brings back a staff built more on depth than star power, but one that features several arms capable of taking on expanded roles. Colton Sylvester is one of the few Blazers to spend his entire collegiate career with the program. Over three seasons, he has posted a 3.66 ERA across 34 appearances, including 19 starts. In 2024, he was particularly effective, recording a 2.15 ERA over 46 innings while striking out 27 and walking just 11. Cole Burton joined the staff after pitching at Hinds Community College and made 11 appearances, including seven starts, last season. 

A trio of young arms gained valuable experience as freshmen. Michael Scott, John Wade, and Gunner Staten all logged meaningful innings, with Staten emerging as the most polished of the group. He appeared in 18 games with three starts, throwing 41 innings and striking out 39 batters. Senior Brandon Rhodes is expected to take on a larger role after posting a 2.92 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP across eight appearances in 2025. Additional depth arrives with Kaleb Smith, a transfer from Southern Arkansas Community College, and freshman Logan Gruber, both of whom are expected to factor into the pitching mix. 

With a proven offensive identity, a roster comfortable integrating transfers, and a pitching staff that offers both experience and upside, Belhaven enters the season aiming not only to validate last year’s breakthrough, but to prove it was the beginning rather than the peak. 

21. East Texas Baptist Tigers (24, 31-16) 

East Texas Baptist continued its run as one of the American Southwest Conference’s most consistent powers during the 2025 season. The Tigers finished 31–16, captured their second ASC Tournament championship in three years, and hosted the NCAA Division III Regional in Marshall, Texas, where they advanced to the regional final and finished as runners-up. In conference play, ETBU went 11–5 to secure its fourth consecutive ASC regular-season title, reinforcing a stretch of dominance that has become the program’s calling card. While the departure of former Division III Player of the Year Ben Lea to Division II Texas–Tyler removes a marquee presence from the lineup, the Tigers still return a roster built to compete for championships. With a proven offensive core and an influx of arms via the transfer portal, ETBU again profiles as a team capable of making noise well beyond the conference level. 

The offense remains a strength, anchored by returning production and impactful additions. Carson Livesay, a transfer from Centenary, continued his high-level play after arriving in Marshall. Serving as the team’s leadoff hitter, he batted .324 with six home runs, stole 28 bases, and showcased elite plate discipline by drawing 39 walks and five hit-by-pitches, pushing his on-base percentage to .479. Senior outfielder Connor Massimini returns for his third season as a regular after batting .309 with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases. Shortstop Joaquin Costa delivered a standout freshman campaign, hitting .338 across 37 starts while committing just two errors in 146 defensive chances. First baseman Nathan Harmon also returns after hitting six home runs in 105 at-bats during his first season with the Tigers. 

Several newcomers are expected to factor prominently into the everyday lineup. Graduate transfer Justin Flannery arrives from Menlo College, where he was the Oaks’ top hitter during their transition from NAIA to Division II, batting .344 with 13 doubles and six home runs. Raef Wright, who played sparingly at Division I Tarleton State, was regarded as one of Texas’ top outfield prospects out of high school and brings immediate upside. Catcher Colby Wilson adds defensive stability behind the plate after throwing out 13 attempted base stealers at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College while committing just one error in 228 chances. 

On the mound, senior Nolan Bushko and Matthew Irwin return as the most experienced arms. Bushko appeared in 16 games last season, including two starts, and is expected to take on a larger role as an opener. He finished the year with a 4.19 ERA across 19⅓ innings while striking out 17 batters. Irwin served as a rotation mainstay, starting 13 of 14 appearances and logging 73 innings, during which he allowed 71 hits and struck out 48. 

The remainder of the rotation is likely to be shaped by newcomers. Isaac Thornton transfers in from Division II Southern Arkansas after previously striking out 68 batters in 63 innings as a freshman at Rose State College. Cody Myers arrives from Centenary following an outstanding season in which he posted a 2.38 ERA over 94⅔ innings and struck out 94 batters. Brayd(en) Hodge returns after appearing in 13 games out of the bullpen, allowing just 12 hits across 19⅓ innings for a .171 opponents’ batting average while striking out 15. Additional depth comes from Aiden Leonard, who pitched at Northeast Texas Junior College and could factor as either a starter or reliever, and Jake Schumacher, a transfer from Division II Saint Martin’s. 

With a lineup capable of manufacturing runs and a pitching staff reinforced by proven transfers, East Texas Baptist enters the season equipped to extend its conference dominance while positioning itself for another deep postseason run. 

22. Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets (NR, 32-15) 

In his 16th season at the helm, head coach Brian Harrison brings back a deep and accomplished roster after another successful season. Baldwin Wallace finished 32–15 last season, captured the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament championship, and advanced to the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament. The Yellow Jackets posted a 13–5 mark in conference play and opened the year ranked nationally before an uneven early stretch dropped them to 7–7 and out of the polls. Rather than falter, BW regrouped and surged down the stretch, sweeping through the OAC Tournament and advancing to the Regional final before seeing its season come to an end. With three All-OAC selections, five Academic All-OAC honorees, and 34 total players returning, Baldwin Wallace enters the new season with both the experience and depth to build on last year’s postseason momentum. 

The Yellow Jackets return five of their nine everyday starters from a season ago, led by a veteran core in the middle of the lineup. Senior All-OAC third baseman Sean Kolenich returns after starting 44 games and finishing second in the OAC with 60 hits while batting .353. His comeback season followed a year lost to injury, and it echoed his standout 2023 campaign in which he collected 95 hits and batted .406. Senior All-OAC center fielder Dennis Ritlinger-Nirider provides another middle-of-the-order presence after leading the team in total bases while batting .349 with 15 doubles, two triples, and 11 home runs. Junior infielder Colin West also returns as a key contributor. 

Baldwin Wallace brings continuity at two premium defensive positions. Catcher Mason Fixx hit .276 across 87 at-bats last season, while shortstop Matt Terzola enters the year having appeared in 130 career games with 103 starts, providing stability up the middle. John Panstares, who hit .352 at Wooster in 2023, saw limited action last season but is a strong candidate to earn an expanded role in the outfield. Sophomore Yuri Bellina is also expected to factor into the catching rotation. 

On the mound, the Yellow Jackets return two established members of the starting rotation in Brit Kostura and Matt Moscarino. Kostura authored one of the season’s most memorable performances by throwing the fifth no-hitter in program history. He appeared in 12 games with nine starts, finished with a 3.07 ERA across 67⅓ innings, and struck out 63 batters while limiting opponents to a career-best .186 batting average and a 0.95 WHIP. Moscarino led BW starters with a 2.61 ERA over 48⅓ innings, allowing just 39 hits while walking only 13 batters and striking out 35. 

Tyler Walker returns after working in a mixed role last season, appearing in 16 games with four starts. He brings proven upside after earning OAC Pitcher of the Year honors in 2024, when he posted a 3.31 ERA over 70⅔ innings and held opponents to a .238 batting average. Will Henderlich is poised to anchor the bullpen after allowing just three hits in eight innings while striking out 12 batters. Freshmen Jared Thacker, Nolan Hataway, and Johnny Neal are also expected to compete for innings, providing additional depth and flexibility across the staff. 

With a veteran core, postseason-tested pitching, and a roster that proved its ability to respond under pressure, Baldwin Wallace enters the season positioned to contend again in the OAC and make another run deep into the NCAA tournament. 

23. Alvernia Golden Wolves (NR, 28-14) 

Under the steady direction of longtime head coach Yogi Lutz, who has guided the program since 1987, Alvernia finished the 2025 season with a 24–18 overall record and a 14–7 mark in MAC Commonwealth play. While the Wolves faded late, losing five of their final six games and exiting the conference tournament without a win, the broader profile of the roster suggests that stretch was more an interruption than a regression. Alvernia narrowly missed extended postseason play a year ago, but that should not be an issue moving forward. The Wolves return one of their most complete rosters in recent seasons, highlighted by a pitching staff filled with difficult matchups and an offense built around patience and on-base production. Rather than relying on power, Alvernia grinds out runs, a philosophy reflected in its .409 team on-base percentage and modest home run total. The formula places pressure on the pitching staff to carry the load, and while the top-end arms are formidable, overall depth will determine just how far the Wolves can push. 

Center fielder Logan Nelson returns after two productive seasons and remains one of the lineup’s anchors. Last year, he hit .323 with 12 extra-base hits, a .409 on-base percentage, and nine stolen bases. Quincy Esannason provides the ideal leadoff presence, combining speed and plate discipline. The outfielder batted .315 and posted a remarkable .534 on-base percentage, consistently setting the table for the middle of the order. Senior second baseman Mike Pulcini took a step forward offensively after early struggles, batting .273 with a .433 on-base percentage. 

The left side of the infield remains a strength. Timmy Hitchcock returns after batting .316 with 16 extra-base hits, while Bobby Hansen is back after earning All-MAC Commonwealth honors at shortstop in 2024. Hansen missed last season but provides experience and stability up the middle. Jack Zabarsky is another key on-base threat after batting .368 last season while drawing 24 walks and being hit by pitch 12 times, producing a .513 slugging percentage. Senior Harold Ivery III also returns after transferring from Division II Mansfield and batting .291, adding further depth and experience to the lineup. 

The Wolves’ greatest strength resides on the mound. Nick Ferraioli, Chris Sasso, and Tyler Weil-Kaspar all return after strong seasons as starters. Ferraioli led the staff in starts and innings, posting a 3.05 ERA while striking out 53 batters across 51 innings. Sasso was equally effective, limiting opponents to a .203 batting average by allowing just 39 hits over 52⅔ innings. He struck out 61 batters and finished with a 3.25 ERA across 10 starts. Weil-Kaspar made six starts and was particularly difficult to square up, surrendering just 14 hits in 21⅔ innings for a .184 opponents’ average while striking out 19 and posting a 3.32 ERA. 

The bullpen also features several high-impact arms. Brad Coley appeared in 14 games and struck out 24 batters in 15 innings while allowing only four hits, holding opponents to a .087 batting average, though control occasionally proved an issue. Matt Mays led the team with 16 relief appearances and delivered a 1.74 ERA. Over 20⅔ innings, he allowed just 13 hits and seven walks, finishing with a 0.97 WHIP and giving Alvernia a reliable option in high-leverage situations. 

With an offense designed to apply steady pressure and a pitching staff capable of controlling games, Alvernia enters the season positioned to rebound from last year’s late stumble and reassert itself as a contender in the MAC Commonwealth. 

24. Coast Guard Bears (NR, 26-14) 

Coast Guard authored a historic season, shattering its single-season wins record and establishing a new benchmark for the program. The Bears initially set the mark with a 24-win campaign before pushing it further with a doubleheader sweep in the final regular-season series, finishing with 25 victories. That surge helped earn head coach Brian Casey and his staff NEWMAC Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Coast Guard extended its season into NCAA Regional play and added another milestone with a postseason win over MIT. With records falling in consecutive seasons and a roster stocked with experienced contributors, the Bears enter the new year intent on continuing their climb. While the offense remains reliable, it is the pitching staff that elevates Coast Guard into national relevance, with all three primary starters returning alongside one of the most formidable relief duos in Division III. 

Outfielder Carson Cho is a central reason the Bears remain contenders. The junior rewrote the program’s offensive record book last season, setting single-season marks for hits, runs, and doubles. He earned NEWMAC First Team All-Conference honors after batting .398 with 17 doubles and two home runs. First baseman Nate Stafford brings steady production, carrying a .355 batting average over two seasons and tying for second on the team with five home runs last year. Senior center fielder Kael Godshalk adds on-base skill and experience after hitting .343 in 2024 and .290 last season, posting an impressive .440 on-base percentage thanks to 22 hit-by-pitches and 12 walks. Luke Percifield returns for his fourth season as a starter after batting .287 a year ago. Freshman middle infielder Yadisson Karbalaieasghar will be looking to earn a spot in the lineup. If he plays as well as his name is hard to spell, he’ll be an absolute star. 

The pitching staff returns intact and serves as the backbone of the roster. Vito Giordano is back after making nine starts and posting a 2.21 ERA across 53 innings. He struck out 39 batters while issuing just seven walks and allowing 48 hits. John DiMarsico impressed as a freshman, appearing in 15 games with nine starts and finishing with a 3.77 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 34 strikeouts, and a save. Harrison Milbert enters his third full season as a starter and has logged 99⅔ innings over the past two years, compiling a 3.70 ERA while allowing just 81 hits and striking out 80 batters. Senior Jack Spinnato also contributed as a starter last season, posting a 4.67 ERA over 17⅓ innings across eight appearances, including five starts. 

The bullpen depth sets Coast Guard apart. Senior Tyler Michalek has improved steadily each season and turned in a strong year out of the bullpen, appearing in 17 games and throwing 34⅔ innings. He allowed only five extra-base hits, all doubles, while finishing with a 2.86 ERA and a .216 opponents’ batting average. Jackson Dorsey emerged as one of the most dominant relievers in the region as a sophomore. Over 21 appearances, he logged 42⅔ innings, allowed just 29 hits, and struck out 41 batters. He closed the year with a 1.69 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP, and a .191 batting average against. 

With records already falling and nearly the entire pitching infrastructure returning, Coast Guard enters the season positioned not only to chase its own benchmarks again, but to test itself against the best teams Division III has to offer. 

25. Gettysburg Bullets (NR, 30-11) 

The Bullets flashed national potential early last season, making a brief appearance in the Perfect Game Top 25 after opening the year with a remarkable 22–1 start. A second-half slowdown followed, as the club went 8–10 down the stretch and exited early in the Centennial Conference Tournament, but that late stumble does little to diminish the broader trajectory of the program. Even with the uneven finish, the Bullets closed the year ranked second in the conference in both team batting average and ERA, underscoring a roster built on balance and efficiency. Entering 2026, the outlook remains positive, particularly with continuity on the roster and a smooth transition at the top. Jeremy Hefele takes over as head coach after serving as the Bullets’ assistant and pitching coach for the past three seasons, a promotion that signals stability rather than change. With a veteran lineup and an experienced pitching staff returning, the Bullets appear well positioned to put last season’s late struggles behind them and reestablish themselves as a factor in the Centennial race. 

Shortstop Robert Murphy returns after starting all 41 games and delivering one of the most complete seasons in the conference. He led the team with a .397 batting average and a .561 on-base percentage and was named Centennial Conference Gold Glove of the Year for his work defensively. First baseman Jack Amirata also enjoyed a standout season, batting .353 with a .472 on-base percentage while committing just a single error. Center fielder Will Stellato brings steady production, owning a .333 batting average across two seasons, and added 12 doubles and 11 stolen bases last year. Adam Hicks made strides offensively in a part-time role, hitting .314 after batting .242 the year prior. 

Catcher Dominick Balsamo emerged as a valuable supplemental contributor, batting .393 in 61 at-bats with a .524 on-base percentage and a .607 slugging percentage. Third baseman Will Roche provides stability on the left side of the infield after appearing in 30 games with 20 starts. He hit .286 following his transfer from Wheaton and adds experience to the lineup. 

On the mound, the Bullets return several proven arms to anchor the staff. Senior Alex Wilkie-Viscio leads the rotation after making 11 starts last season and posting a 3.36 ERA across 61⅔ innings. He threw two complete games, struck out 39 batters, and issued just six walks. John Francesconi also returns after appearing in 13 games with four starts, finishing with a 3.86 ERA over 44⅓ innings and recording 37 strikeouts. 

Ryan Wootten was outstanding in limited action, starting six games and allowing just one earned run across 16 innings for a 0.56 ERA while holding opponents to a .186 batting average. Alex Bergman and Zach Klein round out the pitching depth. Bergman appeared in nine games out of the bullpen, striking out 18 batters over 18⅔ innings, while Klein logged 15 relief appearances and posted a 3.42 ERA across 26⅓ innings, striking out 14 and walking eight. 

With an experienced roster, a pitching staff that proved capable of controlling games, and leadership continuity at the helm, the Bullets enter the new season poised to turn last year’s fast start into sustained success across the full campaign.