2026 Landmark Baseball Season Preview

2025 In Review

Catholic University captured the program’s sixth Landmark Conference title after powering through the tournament unbeaten. It marked the third undefeated championship run in program history, and the first since 2011, when the Cardinals also went wire-to-wire to claim the crown.

Game Highlights

Catholic faced early adversity after trailing 2–0 through four innings. The Cardinals answered in a big way, erupting for a five-run fourth inning. It would prove to be the only runs they would need, securing the 5-3 victory. Starter Sam Fairhurst was in control through 7.2 innings, allowing three runs and striking out five to earn his sixth win of the season. Jack Scholz worked a perfect ninth inning to secure the title and earned his fifth save of the year.

Steve Thomas was named Tournament MVP, finishing 7-for-16 with five runs scored and five RBI. Thomas had three doubles, a triple, three walks, three hit-by-pitch, and two stolen bases.

2026 COACHES POLL

Wilkes University tops the 2026 Landmark Baseball Preseason Coaches Poll with 62 points and six first-place votes. The Colonels return 2025 Pitcher of the Year AJ Levandoski, along with two additional All-Landmark selections.

Defending 2025 Landmark champion Catholic University follows closely in second with 54 points and two first-place votes, while Elizabethtown College rounds out the top three with 51 points and one first-place vote, setting up a tightly contested race near the top of the poll.

The middle of the poll features familiar postseason contenders. The University of Scranton, last season’s conference runner-up, checks in at fourth with 45 points, followed by Lycoming College (37 points), which returns after a 2025 postseason appearance. Susquehanna University (30 points) is sixth and brings back several key contributors to anchor the lineup and pitching staff.

Rounding out the poll are Drew University (21 points), Moravian University (14 points), and Juniata College (10 points).

Catholic University

  • Head Coach: Ross Natoli (41st Season)
  • 2025 Record: 29-18 (14-10 Landmark)
  • Team Titles: 6 (Last in 2025)

Fresh off their sixth Landmark title, Catholic returns a deep, decorated roster anchored by multi-time All-Conference performers and proven arms on the mound. The Cardinals will look to maintain their dominance despite losing key contributors, including a three-time All-Landmark infielder, a Tournament MVP catcher, and a powerhouse outfielder. With experienced pitcher Roman Tozzi (2024 Pitcher of the Year, 2× All-Landmark) leading the staff, Catholic’s blend of returning talent and championship experience positions them as a top contender again in 2026.

Key Returners

  • Roman Tozzi (LHP) – 2× All-Landmark, 2024 Pitcher of the Year | 6 W | 52 K | 70.1 IP
  • Sammy Burman (OF) – Second Team All-Landmark | .353 AVG | 36 R | 40 RBI
  • Jack Scholz (RHP/MIF) – 5 SV | 33 K | 31.0 IP
  • Mac Meara (LHP) – 2 SV | 32 K | 35.1 IP
  • Jake Kenney (RHP) – 4 SV | 17 K | 27.1 IP
  • Jack Bateman (3B) – 30 R | 33 H | 21 RBI | 6 HR
  • Matthew Fisher (C) – 21 R | 40 H | 10 RBI | 9 2B | 160 putouts
  • Logan Eilbacher (1B/OF) – 8 R | 18 RBI | .766 OPS

Key Losses

  • Steve Thomas (C) – 2× All-Landmark, Tournament MVP | .401 AVG | 62 R | 37 RBI | 4 HR
  • Mitchel Johnson (OF) – Second Team All-Landmark | 43 R | 56 H | 14 HR | 53 RBI
  • Dante Pozzi (MI) – 3× All-Landmark | 35 R | 60 H | 46 RBI | 4 HR
  • Joe Marini (OF) – 31 R | 51 H | 40 RBI | 5 HR
  • Sam Fairhurst (RHP) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark | 7 W | 1 SV | 66 K | 73.2 IP
  • Cody Bosack (RHP) – First Team All-Landmark (2025), Second Team (2024) | 5 W | 55 K | 71.1 IP

Drew University

  • Head Coach: Brian Eberly (5th Season)
  • 2025 Record: 19-21 (9-15 Landmark)
  • Team Titles: 1 (Last in 2012)

Drew returns a mix of proven contributors and speedy outfielders while replacing several of last year’s top performers, including a two-time All-Landmark shortstop and a pair of all-conference honorees. With Frank Master and Zach Maxwell leading the offense and a rotation anchored by Brandon Kobryn, the Rangers have the talent to stay competitive in the Landmark in 2026.

Key Returners

  • Anthony Vallaro (3B) – .289 AVG | 14 2B | 28 R | 23 RBI
  • Frank Master (OF) – .316 AVG | 27 R | 21 RBI | 18 SB
  • Zach Maxwell (OF) – .311 AVG | 27 R | 21 RBI | 13 SB
  • Brandon Kobryn (P) – 5-2 | 6.39 ERA | 43.2 IP | 30 K
  • Tyler Bell (P) – 2-2 | 4.89 ERA | 38.2 IP | 29 K
  • Graham Ross (P) – 2-3 | 6.99 ERA | 28.1 IP | 25 K
  • Aidan Bauer (P) – 1-0 | 6.00 ERA | 24.0 IP | 18 K

Key Losses

  • Anthony Diaz Jr. (SS) – Second Team All-Landmark (2024, 2025) | .363 AVG | 51 R | 24 SB
  • Raiden Yost (1B/DH/P) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark (2024, 2025) | .348 AVG | 29 R | 25 RBI | 2-2, 2.45 ERA, 28.1 IP, 14 K
  • Mike Gallaro (C) – .429 AVG | 14 R | 24 RBI
  • Anthony Hernandez (OF) – .285 AVG | 31 R | 29 RBI
  • Will Fritch (1B) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark (2025) | .283 AVG | 5 HR | 31 RBI
  • Dallas Lorenzetti (2B) – .233 AVG | 1.000 FLD%
  • Matt Colucci (P) – 2-5 | 8.05 ERA | 38.0 IP | 25 K
  • Kenny Yonker (P) – 2-3 | 6.03 ERA | 31.1 IP | 11 K
  • Connor Ruscansky (P) – 0-0 | 8.10 ERA | 4 SV | 10.1 IP | 4 K

Elizabethtown College

  • Head Coach: Darrin Lenhart (1st Season)
  • 2025 Record: 29-13 (19-5 Landmark)
  • Team Titles: 2 (Last in 2022)

Elizabethtown enters 2026 with a talented core. The Blue Jays are led by several All-Landmark selections and a strong pitching staff. Etown will need to replace two‑time Player of the Year Quinten Perilli and several key contributors, but experienced returners like David Woolley and Mason Woolwine give the program a strong foundation. The Jays also received votes in the D3baseball.com preseason poll.

Key Returners

  • David Woolley (INF) – 3× First Team All-Landmark (2023–2025) | 49 R | 51 H | 29 RBI | 17 SB
  • Mason Woolwine (OF) – 2× First Team All-Landmark (2024–2025) | 49 H | 24 RBI | 1.000 FLD%
  • Paul Kvech (RHP) – Second Team All-Landmark (2025) | 2-1 | 4 SV | 15 K | 22.0 IP
  • Joey Smith (LHP) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark (2025) | 3-1 | 18 K | 49.2 IP

Key Losses

  • Quinten Perilli (UTL/RHP) – 2× Player of the Year (2024–2025), 3× First Team All-Landmark | 148 AB | 51 R | 55 H | 7 HR | 49 RBI | 34.0 IP | 30 K
  • Kyle Mulville (LHP) – 7-2 | 62.1 IP | 45 K | 4.04 ERA

Juniata College

  • Head Coach: Pat Christopher (6th Season)
  • 2025 Record: 10-29 (3-21 Landmark)
  • Team Titles: 0

Juniata returns several All-Landmark performers, who they hope will anchor the lineup, after having to replace key contributors from last season. With Zach Johnston and Jace Irvin leading the offense, the Eagles have the experience and talent to remain competitive in the Landmark Conference in 2026.

Key Returners

  • Zach Johnston (IF) – First Team All-Landmark (2025) | .358 AVG | 9 2B | 1 3B | 1 HR | 32 RBI
  • Jace Irvin (C) – First Team All-Landmark (2025) | .328 AVG | 16 2B | 1 3B | 2 HR
  • Charlie Bakken (OF) – .310 AVG | 4 2B | 15 RBI

Key Losses

  • Joey Woodrow (C) – .287 AVG | 3 2B | 10 RBI

Lycoming College

  • Head Coach: Rick Oliveri (4th Season)
  • 2025 Record: 21-21 (12-12 Landmark)
  • Team Titles: 0

Lycoming returns a talented core of All-Landmark performers, including the everyday lineup and pitching staff. The Warriors, who received votes in the D3baseball.com preseason poll, will look to build on last season’s success with players like Joel Inman and A.J. Llorente leading the charge in 2026.

Key Returners

  • Joel Inman (RP) – First Team All-Landmark (2025) | 4-2 | 2.70 ERA | 30 IP | 26 K
  • A.J. Llorente (RP/1B) – Second Team All-Landmark (2025) | .338 AVG | 3 2B | 22 RBI | 4-2, 4.11 ERA | 57 IP | 41 K
  • Brody Lindsey (3B) – Second Team All-Landmark (2025) | .325 AVG | 11 2B | 42 RBI
  • Grayson Rinker (RP) – Second Team All-Landmark (2025) | 0-1 | 4.74 ERA | 8 SV | 19 IP | 18 K
  • Eric MacCluen (OF/1B) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark (2025) | .347 AVG | 3 2B | 21 RBI
  • Sean Perkins (SS) – .316 AVG | 5 2B | 24 RBI
  • Jake Wilber (SP) – 5-4 | 6.61 ERA | 47.2 IP | 24 K

Key Losses

  • Danny DeLucas (OF) – First Team All-Landmark (2025) | .410 AVG | 1 HR | 24 RBI

Moravian University

  • Head Coach: Douglas Coe (4th Season)
  • 2025 Record: 13-27 (6-18 Landmark)
  • Team Titles: 2 (Last in 2013)

Moravian returns a solid core of contributors, which includes an experienced pitching staff. The Greyhounds look to build around returning pieces like Troy Rabosky and a deep group of arms as they aim to stay competitive in the Landmark Conference race in 2026 following the graduation of multi-year All-Landmark standout Cole Cherkas.

Key Returners

  • Troy Rabosky (3B) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark (2025) | .267 AVG | 36 H | 34 R | 7 HR | 33 RBI
  • David Vozzo (SS) – 34 H | 32 R | 17 RBI | 11 SB
  • Luke Keitsock (OF) – 20 H | 14 R | 10 RBI
  • Ronnie Workheiser (C) – 16 H | 12 R | 3 HR | 18 RBI
  • Nathan Jones (IF) – 18 H | 9 R | 12 RBI
  • Matt Westcott (IF/OF) – 19 H | 12 R | 15 RBI
  • Matt Snyder (P) – 6-5 | 1 SV | 4.21 ERA | 27 K | 47 IP
  • Ross Huffman (P) – 15 K | 20 IP
  • Cam Elicier (P) – 21 K | 25.1 IP
  • Andrew Sagrestano (P) – 2-4 | 34 K | 39.1 IP
  • Nick Leonard (P) – 2-2 | 2 SV | 22 K | 19 IP
  • Jack Steinel (P) – 9 K | 14.2 IP
  • EJ Youngling (P) – 9 K | 14.1 IP

Key Losses

  • Cole Cherkas (DH) – First Team All-Landmark (2024, 2025) | .332 AVG | 39 H | 30 R | 14 2B | 9 HR | 38 RBI
  • Connor Wengryn (C/OF) – Second Team All-Landmark (2022) | .308 AVG | 28 H | 18 R | 20 RBI
  • Nick Henry (OF) – .291 AVG | 25 H | 15 R | 14 RBI
  • David Olsakowski (OF) – .258 AVG | 31 H | 27 R | 10 2B | 15 SB | 14 RBI
  • Aaron Flyte (P) – 2-3 | 3.90 ERA | 28 K | 55.1 IP

University of Scranton

  • Head Coach: Mike Bartoletti (23rd Season)
  • 2025 Record: 21-20 (14-9 Landmark)
  • Team Titles: 2 (Last in 2024)

Scranton returns several All-Landmark performers and key contributors to anchor the lineup and pitching staff. With John Heitzman, Conor Campbell, and Logan Mason leading the way, the Royals aim for another postseason run.

Key Returners

  • Conor Campbell (OF) – First Team All-Landmark (2025) | .365 AVG | 31 RBI | 44 R
  • Logan Mason (P) – Second Team All-Landmark (2025) | 1.17 ERA | 4 SV | 14 K
  • John Heitzman (OF) – Second Team All-Landmark & Third Team All-Region (2025) | .353 AVG | 55 RBI | 7 HR | 12 2B
  • Jared Cassella (OF) – .287 AVG | 17 RBI
  • Aidan Casey (2B) – .248 AVG | 19 RBI

Key Losses

  • Jake Elston (3B) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark (2025) | .331 AVG | 48 R | 2 HR
  • Matt Querey (SS) – .341 AVG | 24 RBI | 10 2B
  • Pat Coyne (DH/1B) – .270 AVG | 18 RBI
  • Matt Roda (P) – 3.80 ERA | 23 APP | 22 K

Susquehanna University

  • Head Coach: Denny Bowers '01 (21st Season)
  • 2025 Record: 18-22 (11-13 Landmark)
  • Team Titles: 4 (Last in 2023)

Susquehanna returns several key contributors to anchor the lineup and pitching staff in 2026. Seniors Dylan Heyduk and Michael Gagliardi will lead the offense, while pitchers Zach Plank and Evan Applegate return to anchor the mound. The River Hawks look to build on last season’s success, following the standout career of Tony Rossi, a three-time First Team All-Landmark selection who graduated after leading the team in hitting and RBI.

Key Returners

  • Dylan Heyduk (INF) – .305 AVG | 39 H | 32 BB | .503 OBP
  • Michael Gagliardi (INF) – .325 AVG | 51 H | 33 RBI | Started all 40 games in 2025
  • Zach Plank (P) – 4-1 | 19 K | 33.1 IP
  • Evan Applegate (P) – 3-0 | 21 K | 47 IP

Key Losses

  • Tony Rossi (INF) – 3× First Team All-Landmark | .347 AVG | 52 H | 30 RBI
  • Jack Greco (P) – Second Team All-Landmark (2025) | 7-2 | 1 SV | 59 IP | 3.20 ERA

Wilkes University

  • Head Coach: Mike Guy (3rd Season)
  • 2025 Record: 28-12 (19-5 Landmark)
  • Team Titles 0

Wilkes returns a strong core of contributors, led by AJ Levandoski, the 2025 Landmark Pitcher of the Year, along with key position players Nathan Loch and Jack Mathis. With experienced players on both the mound and in the lineup, the Colonels are positioned to compete for a top spot in the Landmark Conference in 2026.

Key Returners

  • AJ Levandoski (P) – First Team All-Landmark, 2025 Pitcher of the Year | 62.2 IP | 3.16 ERA | 60 K | 1 SV | .224 B/AVG
  • Nathan Loch (SS) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark (2025), First Team (2024) | .325 AVG | 50 H | 22 RBI | 26 SB | .871 OPS
  • Jack Mathis (2B) – Honorable Mention All-Landmark (2025) | .297 AVG | 47 H | 31 RBI | 18 SB

Key Losses

  • Luke Spencer (3B) – First Team All-Landmark (2025), Second Team (2024) | .353 AVG | 48 H | 7 HR | 45 RBI
  • Zack Luksic (DH) – .328 AVG | 39 H | 4 HR | 23 RBI

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