The Patriots will enter the 2026 season ranked sixth in the GoRout NAIA Baseball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll following a historic 2024–25 campaign. Cumberlands recorded the program’s best finish at the NAIA World Series while capturing the Mid-South Conference regular season title for the third consecutive year.
UC went a perfect 3–0 in the NAIA Opening Round, including a pair of extra-inning victories, to advance to the World Series for the third straight season. The Patriots earned wins over Grand View and Loyola, marking the first time in program history they recorded multiple victories at the NAIA World Series. Cumberlands returns two All-Conference standouts from last year’s squad as it looks to build on that success in 2026.
“The rankings matter for publicity reasons, recruiting, and at the NAIA level with at-large bids… but for us, it’s just a starting point. We still have to earn it.” - Head Coach Brad Shelton
Senior infielder Caden Petrey returns as one of the Patriots most accomplished position players entering the 2026 season. The Williamsburg, KY native is a three-time Mid-South Conference All-Conference selection and brings a résumé that includes MSC Freshman of the Year honors in 2023, an MSC Gold Glove in 2024, and MSC Player of the Week. Petrey started all 62 games last season and batted .332 with 17 doubles, two triples, and 17 home runs, posting a .711 slugging percentage. He delivered several key performances, including a season-high two home runs and six RBI in a single game against Campbellsville.
Defensively, Petrey compiled a .950 fielding percentage with 44 putouts, 88 assists, and six double plays, anchoring the infield for UC.
“When some of your best players are also your best people, Caden is a perfect example of that," said Coach Shelton. "He’s a model citizen, one of the hardest workers on our team, and he just continues to get better.”
Outfielder Derick Andiarena returns after an impactful first season with the Patriots following his transfer from Hill College. The Añasco, Puerto Rico native earned NAIA Player of the Week honors last season and was named an MSC Second Team All-Conference selection, while also collecting MSC Player of the Week recognition twice.
Andiarena started 52 games in 2025 and batted .371 with 75 hits, 66 runs scored, and 63 RBI to rank fifth in the Mid-South Conference. He posted a .658 slugging percentage with 13 home runs and an on-base percentage of .456 while stealing 11 bases. His top performance of the season came against Lindsey Wilson on April 13, when he recorded three home runs and seven RBI.
“One of the best hitters in the country, in my opinion. Tough to strike out, battles, has great at-bats, and does a lot of good things that go unnoticed.”
Graduate student Johnboy Rittenhouse returns to the Patriots after missing last season due to injury. The Scottsville, VA native brings proven production and versatility to the lineup as an infielder/outfielder entering the 2026 season. In his last active season as a junior in 2024, Rittenhouse earned MSC Second Team All-Conference honors after starting 52 of the 56 games he appeared in. He batted .346 with a .665 slugging percentage, recording 19 doubles, one triple, and 13 home runs while driving in 65 runs.
Rittenhouse delivered one of the most memorable performances of the postseason, hitting three home runs and collecting eight RBI in a single game against Loyola during the NAIA Opening Round. Defensively, he posted a .957 fielding percentage with 21 putouts and one assist.
“Losing him that first weekend last year was heartbreaking… but he’s matured as a hitter, his approach has improved, and it’s really good to have that experience bat back.”
Graduate student catcher Clay Shelton returns for the 2026 season, providing experience and leadership behind the plate. The Williamsburg, KY native has appeared in 75 career games with 49 starts, compiling a .283 batting average and driving in 34 runs.
Defensively, he has been a reliable presence behind the plate throughout his career, totaling 477 putouts and 26 assists while throwing out five runners for a .986 fielding percentage.
“Clay’s as good a defensive catcher as there is at our level. His leadership and work ethic are huge — he’s been on good teams and caught good pitchers.”
Pedro Vasquez returns after a productive junior season that saw him emerge as a key bat in the Patriots lineup. Vasquez played and started in 48 games during the 2025 campaign, delivering consistent offensive production. He batted .328 with 63 hits, including seven doubles, one triple, and 12 home runs, while driving in 57 runs. Vasquez posted a .563 slugging percentage and turned in a season-high four-hit performance with three doubles against Carolina (N.C.). Defensively, he recorded a .969 fielding percentage with 31 putouts.
Senior right-hander Nolan Wilson returns after a strong first season with the Patriots. A transfer from Houston Christian University, the Hockley, TX native quickly established himself as a reliable arm in UC’s pitching staff. Wilson appeared in 10 games with seven starts during the 2025 season, finishing 3–1 with a 2.53 ERA. He recorded 48 strikeouts across 42.2 innings pitched and earned MSC Pitcher of the Week honors on February 11. Defensively, Wilson posted a .889 fielding percentage with three putouts and five assists while catching one runner stealing.
“You always know you’re going to get a solid start out of Nolan — steady, not too high, not too low.”
Graduate student left-hander Wesley Culley returns as an experienced arm for the Patriots entering the 2026 season. Culley has appeared in 22 career games, compiling a 7–2 record with 99 strikeouts at UC. As a senior in 2025, Culley earned MSC Pitcher of the Week honors on February 17. He made nine appearances with five starts, posting a 4–1 record and a 2.73 ERA across 33 innings pitched. Culley recorded 50 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .248 batting average and set a career high with 11 strikeouts against Rochester Christian on March 1.
“He’s one of our best guys… losing him to injury last year was heartbreaking, but getting that lefty back really helps us.”
Senior right-hander JD Price returns as a key bullpen arm for the Patriots after a historic season in relief. Price set a program record with 27 appearances during the 2025 campaign, providing consistent late-inning presence for UC. He finished the season with a 3–0 record and led the team with 10 saves, striking out 43 batters across 42.0 innings pitched. Price’s ability to handle high-leverage situations will again be an important piece of the Patriots pitching staff entering this season.
“We’ve got 13 or 14 really good, World Series–type arms… that depth in the bullpen is something I think we’ve gotten a lot better at.”
Junior first baseman Ronald Almanzar joins the Patriots as a transfer from Monroe College and is expected to provide an immediate impact in the UC lineup. Almanzar started 51 games last season and batted .367 with 62 hits, including 19 doubles and five home runs, while driving in 46 runs. Defensively, he was steady at first base, recording 116 putouts and posting a .984 fielding percentage.
“Ronald’s got big-time power potential,” said Head Coach Brad Shelton. “He’s a left-handed hitter who can really help fill a lot of the offensive production that we lost, and we’re excited about what he brings to the lineup.”
Junior infielder Cole Reynolds joins the Patriots as a transfer from IU Southeast. The Somerset, KY native brings versatility and speed to UC’s infield after earning significant playing time at the collegiate level. Reynolds started 38 games last season, batting .250 with 27 hits, 13 RBI, and ten stolen bases while posting a .383 on-base percentage. Defensively, he recorded 33 putouts and 100 assists for a .911 fielding percentage.
“Cole had a really good fall,” said Head Coach Brad Shelton. “He’s one of the better defenders we’ve ever had as a middle infielder, and his bat has really improved since he got here.”
Left-hander Jackson Mayo joins the Patriots as a transfer after spending time at Rice and Texas State. Mayo brings Division I experience to UC’s pitching staff and adds depth to the left-handed side of the rotation and bullpen.
During the 2025 season, Mayo appeared in 11 games with two starts. He logged a 1–3 record across 10.0 innings pitched, striking out six batters. His best outing came against Tarleton State on April 23, when he recorded three strikeouts across 3.1 scoreless innings to earn the win. Mayo also delivered scoreless relief appearances against James Madison and App State, while making his first collegiate start at UTSA.
“Jackson has impressed us early,” said Head Coach Brad Shelton. “He’s got good stuff, good velocity, and we think he’s a guy that can really help us as he gets more comfortable and settled in here.”
Elliot Rossell joins the Patriots as a transfer from Western Kentucky, bringing Division I experience to UC’s pitching staff. Rossell appeared in five games during the 2025 season, posting a 1–0 record with six strikeouts across 4.1 innings pitched. He earned the win at Tennessee Tech on March 3 and did not allow a run through his first three appearances, including a 2.1-inning, four-strikeout outing at Murray State on February 24.
“Elliot missed the fall with an injury, but the first couple times we’ve seen him this spring, he’s been really good,” said Head Coach Brad Shelton. “He’s got good stuff, and we’re excited to see how he continues to progress.”
Brad Shelton
Head Coach Brad Shelton enters the 2026 season in his 25th year at the University of the Cumberlands and his 31st season overall as a collegiate head coach. Shelton owns a 913–409 record at UC and an overall career mark of 1,102–475, making him the winningest baseball coach in program history.
Shelton has guided the Patriots to three consecutive NAIA World Series appearances (2023–25). His success has earned him seven Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year honors (2004, 2006, 2008, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2023) along with ABCA/ATEC NAIA Regional Coach of the Year recognition for three consecutive seasons, most recently in 2025.
Jared Martin
Associate Head Coach Jared Martin enters his 11th season with the Patriots and continues to play a pivotal role in UC’s sustained success at the national level.
Martin has been recognized for his impact on the program, earning Mid-South Conference Assistant Coach of the Year honors twice (2022, 2024). He has helped guide UC through one of the most successful stretches in program history, including the 2025 season when the Patriots posted a 50–12 overall record and a 16–2 mark in MSC play to secure the conference regular season title and another trip to the NAIA World Series.
Jordan Doole
Jordan Doole enters his second season as the pitching coach for the Patriots after overseeing one of the most productive pitching staffs in program history during the 2025 campaign. Under Doole’s guidance, UC pitchers set multiple program records and ranked among the NAIA’s top staffs nationally. The Patriots finished third in the NAIA in wins (50), fourth in innings pitched (491.1), and third in strikeouts (558). UC also ranked fourth nationally in strikeout-to-walk ratio (3.08), eighth in strikeouts per nine innings (10.22), ninth in WHIP (1.37), and tied for third in saves (16). Patriot pitchers earned Mid-South Conference Pitcher of the Week honors eight times during the season.
Willie Poe
Willie Poe returns to the University of the Cumberlands as an Assistant Coach after spending the 2025 season at Reinhardt University as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. Poe previously served on UC’s staff from 2022–24.
Last season, Poe led the Eagles pitching staff to a 3.52 team ERA and ranked among the NAIA’s best, holding opponents to a .254 batting average while striking out 428 batters across 462.2 innings. Reinhardt also finished with 14 saves and allowed just 26 home runs on the season, showcasing depth and consistency across the staff.
“I love our staff. They’re great people, fun to work with, and they’ve helped us improve in areas like base running and player development.”
The Patriots will open the season at the Clash of Conferences on February 6th in Kingsport, TN, at Hunter Wright Stadium. "We are excited to get started," said Head Coach. "This will be the earliest we've ever started, but I believe it will help us to develop some depth early on. We have several well-respected programs on our non-conference schedule in addition to an always tough Mid-South Conference schedule." Following the early road action, UC will open its home schedule with a series against Siena Heights before facing Tennessee Wesleyan on the road on February 17th. The Pats will then return home February 21–22 with a three-game series against Indiana Tech at Terry Stigall Field at Doyle Buhl Stadium. The Patriots will continue their home stand with a midweek matchup against Indiana University Southeast on February 24 before traveling to Reinhardt University for a weekend series on February 28 and March 1. Cumberlands returns home March 7–8 for a four-game series against Cleary University, followed by a road trip to Milligan on March 10. The Patriots then open Mid-South Conference play at home against Cumberland University on March 13–14, beginning a stretch of conference-heavy competition. Mid-March features a mix of home and road games, including a home contest against Reinhardt on March 17 and a road series at Georgetown College on March 20–21. UC will host Union College on March 25 before welcoming Lindsey Wilson for a conference series March 27–28. The Patriots close the month with home games against Milligan and Tennessee Wesleyan on March 31 and April 1. April continues with conference action at Bethel University on April 3–4, followed by a road game at Midway on April 7. UC will then host a four-game series against Cincinnati-Clermont April 11–12, before closing out its home schedule with matchups against Midway on April 14 and Freed-Hardeman on April 17–18. The Patriots will finish the regular season on the road with games at Union College on April 21 and a conference series at Campbellsville University on April 24–25. The Mid-South Conference Tournament is scheduled for April 29 in Bowling Green, KY. Following conference play, Cumberlands will look ahead to the NAIA postseason, with the Opening Round and the NAIA World Series serving as the final goals of the 2026 campaign.