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| Case Western has one more chance to play in the DIII Series near their campus as this is the last year for the DIII World Series to be played in East Lake, Ohio. The Series moves to York, Pa. in 2027. d3photography file photo by Mike Atherton |
By Jim Dixon, D3sports.com
Last year Denison broke through for their first appearance in the DIII World Series, giving their fans a short trip to the East Lake, Ohio. The Big Red is once again a favorite to make the trip. There is a team closer to East Lake that is also on the radar of many. That is Case Western whose fans might be able to walk to the stadium. Of course the top trio includes a OAC team and this year the team with the best preseason chances is Baldwin Wallace.
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The Mount Aloysius program produced the two new head |
Adrian made it to the NCAA Regionals in back-to-back years as the indisputable top team in the MIAA and is the fourth of our Region 7 favorites. Looking deeper into the region has us picking out Ohio Northern and Wittenberg as possible surprise teams to come out of the region to play on the national stage. It would not be a list of favorites if Marietta was not mentioned. Every time the Pioneers have a sub-par season, they seem to bounce right back the next year.
New Faces
James Rice, Carlow: Carlow will have baseball for the first time when they open their program in 2027. Their head coach will be former Mount Aloysius player James Rice. Following his time at Mount Aloysius, Rice gained valuable coaching experience, most recently serving as an assistant coach at Wilmington for two years. Prior to his time at Wilmington, the Leechburg, Pa. native spent three seasons coaching squads in the Old North State League, located in North Carolina.
Patrick Gully, Mount Aloysius: Mountie head coach Kevin Kime has made the difficult decision to pass the torch after nearly 20 years at the program's helm. Longtime assistant coach and Mount graduate Gully has been named the new head coach. Gully has spent eight years on Kime's coaching staff, and as a Mountie alum, played four years as a starting catcher with Kime as head coach. "This decision would be even more difficult for me if I didn't have so much trust in Coach Gully," said Kime. "He is a proven winner, an effective coach, and a good friend. The future of the Mount's baseball program is as bright as ever." "It's bittersweet," said Gully, "but I am ready to continue this program's rich history and honor Coach Kime's legacy in the best way possible - by enhancing the lives of our student-athletes and competing at the highest level."
Key Games
Oswego State at Case Western, February 21st - Case welcomes Oswego State to Nobby's Park for an opening doubleheader opener for both teams. With only an at-large bid available to Case Western and an average SOS, the Spartans need to play well and take at least two in this three-game set.
Denison at Webster, February 18th - It will be a busy February for the Bid Red. They open with Christopher Newport and then play four more games against national powerhouses. The game at Webster will be the final of this four game stretch and a winning record at the end of February will put Denison on the road to a top season.
Alma at Adrian, March 27th - Alma and Adrian open the MIAA season with a single game at Adrian with a doubleheader at Alma the next day. Adrian will have a three game series with Calvin the following weekend and just as the season gets going, the Bulldogs will know where they will finish when the regular season concludes.
Mount Union at Baldwin Wallace, April 8th - The top team in the OAC regular season last year meets the winner of the tournament for a doubleheader. Both teams have this day circled on their calendars since a sweep on the day will be what is needed to claim top honors this season in the OAC.
Grove City at Washington and Jefferson, Apltil 18th - Time to settle which team is best in the PAC as Grove City makes the Trip to Washington Pa. for a doubleheader with Washington and Jefferson.
Washington University at Case Western, April 24th - Washington U will travel to Case Western for the first of a four game series. Both teams will be looking to lock up a UAA title but without an auto bid, every win this weekend will be key in the all important NPI ranking.
Pitt-Greensburg at Penn State Behrend, April 25th - The conference season is almost over with just a couple games left for each team. If either team sweeps, they are likely on their way to a top seed in the AMCC Tournament.
Conference Previews
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| Shortstop Silvio Ionadi led the Penn State-Behrend Lions in runs scored and stolen bases in 2025. Penn State Behrend athletics photo |
Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference: Penn State-Behrend (11-3, 31-11) represented the conference in the NCAA playoffs after sweeping through the postseason tournament and are looking to the challenge of repeating. Head coach Paul Benim knows this will not be easy but thinks his team will work hard between the lines to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 2010. Infielder Silvio Ionadi (.327, 29 RBI, 10 SB), a career .357 hitter, has the ability to impact the game in multiple ways - with the bat and on the base paths. Senior catcher Tom Nicely (.379, 33 RBI) is a possible conference Player of the Year and will handle a junior heavy pitching staff. Colin Bolla, (7-3, 4.91 ERA, 68K) and Andrew Bredel, (8-2, 4.39 ERA, 54K) are the top starting pitchers with junior Jake Manendo (2-1, 5 Saves, 3.51 ERA, 31K) cooling his heels in the bullpen if the game is on the line.
Alfred State (10-4, 27-17) had a breakout year, winning nine more games than the year before. Why? It was a large senior class that fueled their success. The problem is that seniors become alumni and this leaves the 2026 version of the Pioneers to be very young and looking to gain experience. Head coach Mike Armstrong is staying positive, thinking that this will be an "exciting Pioneer team that has the capability of being very dangerous and winning a championship". Rebuilding will include two-way player Jordan Hughes (.292, 47 RBI; 4-1, 3.18 ERA, 26K), a dynamic young player who has the tools to play at the next level. With the rest of the top teams returning large numbers of starter, it will be a challenge to stay at the top of the class of AMCC teams.
Pitt-Greensburg (10-4, 16-19) was within a game of the top of the standings and with a solid returning core, should leapfrog Alfred State and challenge Penn State-Behrend for the AMCC crown. They return an experienced and talented roster that includes eight returning starters on offense and four key pitchers. Reigning 2025 AMCC Player of the Year, James Domer (.496, 8 HR, 36 RBI) is a five tool player who leads by example, and is a massive part of the lineup's success. The outfielder is surrounded by five fellow seniors like Thomas Smith (.432, 45 RBI) so time to win is this season. It is the same for the starting pitching that returns four established starters - all seniors except one, Conner Burkey (8-1, 2.86 ERA, 61K). Burkley had a breakout year in his sophomore season and needs just two seasons (and 56K) to set a new standard for career strikeouts.
Mount Aloysius (7-7, 26-14), Hilbert (7-7, 19-19) and Pitt-Bradford (4-10, 16-18) rounded out the participants in the AMCC post-season tournament. Hilbert added some big pieces to the staff that have collegiate experience and have been a part of winning programs prior to their arrival. Offensively, they return a lot of fire power and have a talented group of freshmen that should provide quality depth. Outfielder Joey Haynes (.427, 20 RBI, 17 SB) is the top stick. Coming into the program as DI transfer from Canisius, he produced in his first season as a starter and is expected to elevate his game further with a year of experience within the system. Well traveled pitcher Andrew Johnson, pitching previously at Georgia Gwinnett and SUNY Niagara, knows how to win and previously pitched his team into the NAIA World Series.
Penn State-Altoona (4-10, 14-24-1) and La Roche (3-11, 12-25) finished at the bottom of the standings in 2025. Penn State Altoona will go through a makeover with an incoming class with 20+ newcomers, including five transfers, and two returners back who missed last year. This is the most talented group in many years for the program leading the coaching staff to think of a top finish in the conference. Two players who missed the 2025 season are key to the Lions' success. On the O will be senior first baseman Jon Rauch (2024 stats: .333, 28 RBI). He has not been healthy or played a full season since his freshman campaign where he hit .388 with 13 XBH and 44 RBI. The top pitcher tossing the rock will be senior Eric Seick (2024 stats: 4-2, 3.83 ERA, 36K). Carlow is preparing to play in the AMCC when their program plays their first season in 2027.
Predicted Champion: Penn State Behrend
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| Adrian pitcher Jaxson Clark has started game 36 times in his 42 appearances in a Bulldog uniform, finishing four . Adrian athletics photo |
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association: Adrian (16-5, 30-18) opened the MIAA tournament as the top seed and a loss. No problem, They swept the rest of their games into The NCAA Regionals for the fourth time in five years. The pitching staff returns pretty much intact and with a year under their belt, expect the 4.21 staff ERA to drop. There is a good mix in the rotation with a senior, two juniors and a sophomore. Senior Jaxson Clark (6-4, 4.27 ERA, 48K) has the most wins with the rest getting 3-4 wins apiece in 2025. The offensive lineup will show more speed than power this year with the best combination of power and speed in the hands and feet of Jake Burns (.383, 5 HR, 32 RBI, 12 SB). Nick Bruder (.340, 27 RBI, 17 SB) might not have the power numbers but is a gold glove caliber shortstop.
Calvin (15-6, 23-18) fell a game behind first place Adrian and it made all the difference in the MIAA tournament. Unable to beat the MIAA Pitcher of the Year when they played Alma, they had to face the top team when all top seeds lost their opening games. The Knights will have to replace a fair number of players with only two regulars in the lineup back, Ryan Tschirhart (.315, 222 RBI, 18 SB) and Noah Swope (.189, 15 RBI). The situation on the mound is different with two of three starters back for another go in James Ross (1-2, 3.21 ERA, 49K) and Evan Steinbacher (3-2, 4.55 ERA, 38K).
Alma head coach Jason Crain believes that the squad that Alma (14-7, 23-20) in putting on the field is his best in his eight years at Alma, even with the graduation of MIAA pitcher of the Year Tyler Johnson. With a blend of veteran presence and elite incoming talent, the Scots are looking for more than a trip to the MIAA tournament. The coaching staff believes that sophomore third baseman Giuseppe Sapienza (.315, 5 HR, 35 RBI) is an All-American caliber player. Also swinging a bat and taking a turn starting on the mound is Cam Bleasdale (.337, 28 RBI; 0-2, 3.27 ERA, 6K). If the optimism of the coaching staff is right, the Alma Scots might be back in the NCAA Regionals for the first time since 1981.
The core of the team that brought Kalamazoo (12-9, 28-16) into national prominence and the winningest four-year college in Michigan (since 2020) is starting to graduate. The biggest hole in the defense is the middle of the infield as multi-year starters at second and short have graduated. Ryar Reinhart (.373, 14 HR, 62 RBI) has produced big numbers for the previous year and should do it again. Outfielder Caleb Moore (.393, 45 RBI, 10 SB) is back and heathy after a foot injury in 2025 kept him from his potential. On he mound, several pieces are back but questions remain on the depth and consistency of the bullpen.
Missing out of the tournament were Albion (10-11, 17-19), Hope (7-14, 12-27), Trine (5-15, 11-27) and Olivet (4-16, 9-29). The Hope coaching staff will be looking for a bounce back year but the players in the clubhouse will be on the young side. The Dutchmen will have some key pieces back in Colton Kinnie (.353, 24 RBI) and Corbin Bennetts (.312, 25 RBI, 13 SB) on offense. The top starting pitcher for Hope, Ian Sanders (1-5, 4.79 ERA, 38K) is also at the Holland, Michigan school for another year. Hiram (4-11, 14-24-1) will be playing their firsts season in the PAC.
Predicted Champion: Adrian
North Coast Athletic Conference: Denison (14-1, 41-7) had to wait a year to make their first appearance in the DIII World Series but they made it and now a return is expected. Denison does not offer a graduate degree so upon graduation it is move on to another school (where a lot of the starting pitching went) or start your career with a Denison education. The Big Red saw big losses both to graduation and the transfer portal but the talent is there to be competitive. Seniors dominate on the offense with Erik Sundgren (.388, 17 HR, 81 RBI, 31 SB) and Cade Nowik (.310, 6 HR, 41 RBI) headlining the class. Add junior Jack Lutte (.409, 5 HR, 37 RBI) and you have an offense that can carry the load. With significant losses in the pitching rotation, Will Rettig (6-1, 2.69 ERA, 26K) is staying around and will be the ace of a staff that will look very different in 2026.
Wabash (12-4, 27-15) split with Denison on the season but never got to play the top seed in the NCAC tournament as they were two and out and without the resume to earn an at large bid, missed the NCAA Regionals. Seniors dominated the best of the 2025 roster but the biggest Little Giants were juniors. Ben Henke (.364, 39 RBI) and Will McKinzie (.336, 32 RBI) were at the top of the stats at the end of the 2025 season. Pitching is also in good shape without an influx of new talent. A total of 31 starts were made by non-seniors and all are expected back with Caleb Everson (6-3, 4.09 ERA, 48K) leading the way. Seeing Wabash earning the top seed in this year's tournament is not out of the question.
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| Xander Rodriguez has played in all but one game in his first two years for the Wittenberg Tigers with a .586 slugging percentage. Wittenberg athletics photo |
While the top seeds are in position to dominate the NCAC, Wittenberg (11-4, 29-12) will have their say. The 2026 squad is a good mix of returning guys as well as new guys who are ready to compete. The same theme seen throughout the division is also seen with the Tigers with a large graduation class. Xander Rodriguez (.372, 5 HR, 39 RBI) is the top power hitter to return with three other seniors near or above a .300 batting average with 30+ RBIs. Andrew Rust (4-2, 6.669 ERA, 38K) is a top starter on the mound.
John Carroll (11-7, 23-17) will join the NCAC this year. Wooster (11-4-1, 24-17-1) and Kenyon (8-7-1, 15-15-1) finished in the middle of the standings with Wooster earning the final tournament spot. The Scot's did their best to earn a playoff bid but fell short in the Championship game to Denison. The return to the NCAC tournament and their success has given Wooster a lot of momentum heading into the 2026 season. High on the to-do-list is to defeat Denison as Wooster enters this season with a nine game losing streak against the Big Red. With 17 players new to the program, role models are essential. For the batters, Ryan Kramer (.376, 10 HR, 52 RBI) and the pitching, Jack Spring (5-3, 2.40 ERA, 63K) are leaders on and off the field.
Oberlin (3-11, 12-24), DePauw (3-12, 12-26) and Ohio Wesleyan (1-13, 8-28) will have work to do to reach the top of the standings. It has been ten years from Oberlin's best season this century and a veteran team has the coaching staff dreaming of the a title run. With double digit starters returning, the Yeomen have the most experienced squad in the conference. Kyle Baxt (.346, 7 HR, 27 RBI) and Brady Groves (.308, 19 RBI) have led the team for the last two years and are both ready to take the next step forward. Cal Burkholder (5-3, 3.91 ERA, 41K) is a top pitcher. Their best players are all juniors or sophomores so if winning is not on in the cards this season, lookout for them in 2027. Hiram has played their last NCAC conference game in 2025 as they leave for the PAC this year.
Predicted Champion: Denison
Ohio Athletic Conference: Mount Union (15-3, 28-13) captured the regular season crown but two losses kept them from a tournament title. A solid season gave them an at-large bid to the Regionals. In the Regional, they faired marginally better but managed a single win to two losses. Head coach Paul Hesse will have the largest pool of returning 2025 All-OAC players in the conference. Senior Chris Tsouras (.346, 11 HR, 55 RBI) is the top power hitter but the future lies with sophomore catcher Daniel Tome III (.379, 24 RBI). Along with Luke Ickes (.367, 34 RBI, 11 SB), the offense will be ready on game one. Senior Anthony Warner (5-1, 3.71 ERA, 23K) is the top starter back in 2026. Despite the loss of a dozen seniors and graduate students, The Raiders are well poised for a repeat of 2025.
By the time Ohio Northern (13-3, 29-14) got to the OAC tournament championship game, they had played the rest of the field. A opening round loss to Baldwin Wallace was bookended with another loss to the Yellowjackets in the title tilt. The Polar Bears still made the Regionals with an at-large pass. Ohio Northern made an early exit with losses to Washington Univ. and Adrian. If the Polar Bears are going to stay at the top of the standings, they will need to find some new starters in the pitching ranks. Out of four starting pitchers, sophomore Jackson Saylor (6-3, 1 Save, 3.32 ERA, 65K) was the only non-senior last year. The offense is in better shape with just three regulars getting a diploma following the season. Devon Morris (.322, 5 3B, 9 HR, 38 RBI) and Chase Armstrong (.247, 7 HR, 41 RBI) are back and will provide much of the power and run production as they did in 2025.
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| Baldwin Wallace outfielder Dennis Ritlinger-Nirider learned to hit home runs in 2025. He had 0 career home runs before 2025 in two seasons and hit 11 in 2025. Baldwin Wallace athletics photo |
Baldwin Wallace (13-5, 32-15) was the winningest team overall in the OAC and the tournament winner. With the auto bid, they had the same result as the rest of the OAC teams in the regional round. The Jackets will be opening on the road and will not see their first home game until a third of the season is already in the books. Head Coach Brian Harrison will have a potential Player of the Year in senior outfielder Dennis Ritlinger-Nirider (.349, 11 HR, 47 RBI). Ritlinger-Nirider will be joined with shortstop Sean Kolenich (.353, 35 RBI) at the plate. BW will also have a star player on the mound as Brit Kostura (5-1, 3.07 ERA, 63K) will be taking his turn in the starting rotation. Matt Moscarino (3-1, 2.61 ERA, 35K) made big strides in his sophomore year and should be ready to be the second starter for Baldwin Wallace.
Muskingum (10-8, 28-12) nor Marietta (7-9, 18-20) were able to qualify for the OAC tournament. John Carroll, now in the NCAC, earned the final fourth seed. The 2026 freshman class for Muskingum will provide much depth to the returning lineup and look for the early games to see different configurations in the starting nine until the right mix is found. The pitching staff will feature talented young arms and experienced older arms to help guide the younger ones. Infielder Sam Palmieri (.338, 47 RBI, 12 SB) is a leader on and off the field and the backbone of our team like he has been for three years now. Jake Valentine (6-1, 1 Save, 2.02 ERA, 33K) is back on the mound for his junior year. Marietta found themselves in the middle of the standings and head coach Brian Brewer will be looking for a different result this season. D3baseball.com Preseason All-American Austin Ziance (4-1, 1.94 ERA, 72K) will be key if the Pioneers are going to move up the standings.
Capital (6-12, 15-25), Heidelberg (6-12, 15-25), Otterbein (3-14, 14-23) and Wilmington (3-14, 12-24) round out the rest of the OAC field. Capital will have their top four batters back in Charlie Colson (.303, 17 RBI, 22 SB), Robby Harrison (.367, 27 RBI), Bryce Kyees (.369, 33 RBI) and Ty Clifton (.335, 5 HR, 37 RBI) but pitching will be the biggest question mark as they had the worse pitching in the OAC in 2025. Pitching will also be a question mark for Heidelberg as the Student Princes lost 76% of IP off of last year's roster due to graduation (35 of 40 starts). With the bats, Heidelberg will depend on a solid incoming class to build around a few younger guys that saw significant time in 2025, sophomores Sam Schneider (.349, 23 RBI, 12 SB) and Logan Walpole (.260, 13 RBI). If not 2026, HU - with a relatively small senior class - could contend in 2027. Keep your eye on Wilmington's JC Calhoun (.322, 11 RBI, 16 SB).
Predicted Champion: Baldwin Wallace
Presidents' Athletic Conference: Grove City (16-4, 31-13) earned the conference bid to the Regionals, their first since 2008. Look to the Wolverines to make another run at the title. Their pitching staff started a senior, two sophomores and a freshman in 2025 and three of the four should be returning. The super sophomores, now juniors, were Bryce Trischler (6-3, 3.67 ERA, 53K) and Sam Bevin (.370, 7 HR, 43 RBI; 4-1, 1.87 ERA, 29K). Bevin showed that he could be key on the mound but also a top player with the bat. Colin Marinpetro (.409, 17 2B, 45 RBI) and Nick Sampson (.316, 18 RBI) represent the best of the senior class with sophomore shortstop Sam Meredith (.339, 34 RBI) playing well over his age with 43 starts in Grove City's 44 games.
Washington and Jefferson (16-4, 28-15) is always the best pick to win the conference and you will be right more times than you would be wrong. What has changed in the last couple years is that the PAC competition is improving and inking W&J at the top of the standings is no longer the lock it had been in the past. Last season in the PAC tournament, the Presidents held the tie breaker over Grove City for the top seed but losses to Westminster and Grove City ended their season. With key losses to all tournament teams, who fills the holes the best will rise to the top. Key additions are not new players as pitchers Anthony Pass (2024 stats: 7-3, 3.79 ERA, 67K) is returning from an injury and Bobby Budacki (0-0, 8.0 IP, 0.88 WHIP) is finally healthy. Both players need to play well with pitcher Dante DiMatteo (19-1) graduating. Josh Dezenzo (.217, 8 HR, 23 RBI) is the top power hitter and with Brian Feldman (.276, 29 RBI), will need to heat up their bats.
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| Parker Lyons earned First Team All-PAC honors in his sophomore year for the Westminster (Pa.) Titans.honors Westminster athletics photo |
Allegheny (13-7, 22-18) was the third seed but they scored just six runs in their three tournament games and any regional dreams were dashed. A high finish might not be in the cards in 2026. They placed six players on the various All-PAC teams with five seniors and one sophomore. Graduation took away the seniors and D1 Ball State lured away the only non-senior. The team will be young with just five players in the senior class so the Gator fans might start thinking of 2027 instead of this year as their year.
St. Vincent (11-9, 19-22), Westminster (Pa.) (11-9, 19-22) and Thiel (10-9, 14-27) rounded out the six team PAC tournament with the Titans of Westminster making the most noise, getting to the championship round. Needing two wins on the final day, they only managed one. Look for the momentum built last yar to continue into the 2026 season as the 2026 Titans bring back a lot of exciting players in the field and on the mound. On the field, third baseman Parker Lyons (371, 18 RBI, 16 SB) is one of the best athletes in the conference. On the bump, Tyson Djakovich (6-1, 3.92 ERA, 38K) is an elite competitor with electric stuff. Thiel will return their catcher, senior Calvin Cackowski (.346, 9 HR, 37 RBI) who was a big part in making the Tomcats a top batting team in the PAC. They will need to improve their pitching and defense if they want to be a top team. As for the Bearcats they do not have a returning All-PAC performer and lack the excitement building on the Westminster campus.
Chatham (10-10, 18-21), Bethany (7-13, 12-24-1), Geneva (6-14, 20-18), Franciscan (6-14, 13-25) and Waynesburg (3-16, 7-29) fell short of the tournament. If any team has the potential to make a big move up the standings it is Chatham. They have a player at each of the infield bases and the plate that earned All-PAC honors in catcher Angelo DeLeonardis (.307, 26 RBI, 22 SB), first baseman Nolan Boehm (.333, 21 RBI), second baseman Eddie Rueda (.321, 31 RBI) and third baseman Cooper Baxter (.372, 21 RBI). Josh Bodie (.394, 12 2B, 24 RBI) was a bight spot in 2025 and will be back on the Franciscan roster for this sophomore year. The Bethany Bisons will have a pair all-stars in seniors Jaden Nestor-Fox (.392, 22 RBI) and Sonny Peluchette (.348, 13 RBI, 19 SB; 2-3, 3.94 ERA, 33K). They are not just 1,2 at the top of the hitting stats are also 1, 2 in the lineup with roster numbers, 1 and 2. Michael Twigg (.304, 35 RBI, 24 SB) will be Geneva's best player coming off a stellar 2025. Hiram (4-11, 14-24-1) will join the PAC this season, giving the conference an even 12 teams.
Predicted Champion: Grove City
University Athletic Association: Case Western Reserve (14-5-1, 30-14-1) completed one of the most successful seasons, reaching the Super Regional round in 2025. It will not be easy to make it four UAA championships in the last five years. There will be big holes to plug in the offense with their four best hitters for average and two best power hitters all are gone. Tyler Stillson (.351, 8 HR, 48 RBI; 2-1, 6.02 ERA, 40K) and Nate Arterburn (.268, 30 RBI) are the best hitters on a team that lost six everyday starters. Working on a graduate degree is infielder Eli Westrick (2024 Stats: .313, 18 RBI, 14 SB), transferring after graduating from Wooster. On the mound the story is different with four starting pitchers returning - Stillson, Quinn Saunders (3-1, 4.14 ERA, 56K), Charlie Griffith (4-1, 6.02 ERA, 40K) and Eric Colgrove (1-1, 8.06 ERA, 22K). Last year the team leaned heavily on its bullpen during the year, which was paced by Archer Stankowski (6-1, 4.98 ERA, 38K) and backed by pitchers in their first year for the program. Case Western traditionally has a tough non-conference schedule but this year they have only scheduled two teams that advanced to the playoffs in 2025 which should be reflected in their end of the season NPI ranking.
Predicted Champion: Case Western Reserve