GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Friday afternoon, the Messiah University baseball team opens the 2026 season at Randolph-Macon. Check out the 2026 season preview below.
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2025 Season Recap
The Falcons finished the 2025 season with a 39-16 overall record with a 18-3 record in MAC Commonwealth play. The Falcons had a historic 2025 season that started with their sixth conference championship in program history. The Falcons then won their first Regional and Super Regional in program history to make it to the DIII College World Series. The Falcons then rattled off three straight wins to make it to the Championship Series. The Falcons ended the season as National Runner-ups after falling to Wisconsin-Whitewater in the Championship Series.
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2026 Roster Outlook
In the Falcons' lineup,
Drew Hurst,
Matt Luchovick,
David Martinez,
Nick Moyer,
Luke Ott,
Isaiah Parido, and
Carter Reid all return after making big impacts for the Falcons in 2025. The Falcons will also look to returners,
Brayden Burkholder and
Cristian Reyna to step up into the Falcons lineup this season. The Falcons also added nine first year bats that look to compete for at-bats this season.
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The Falcons pitching staff returns all four starters from last season with
Christian Foltz,
Zachary Harris,
Daniel Knight, and
Jason Long all returning.
Julian Butler,
Owen Hannevig,
Trey Harper, and
Sawyer Shepherd all return after having double-digit appearances on the mound for the Falcons in 2025.
Chris Beatty Jr.,
Walker Cloudt,
Ryan Morrison, and
Henry Zercher all look for bigger roles in 2026. The Falcons also added eight first year pitchers that will look to make an immediate impact this season.
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2026 Schedule Preview
The Falcons open the 2026 season with eight-straight road games. The Falcons tough opening games features three-game series against Christopher Newport and Randolph-Macon and a single game against No. 11 Johns Hopkins. The Falcons host their home opener against Dickinson College on Tuesday, March 3 at 3:00 p.m. The Falcons open the conference season at home against the Pride of Widener University on Friday, March 13 at 3:30 p.m. The Falcons play four ranked games this year, starting with at previously mentioned No. 11 Johns Hopkins (Feb. 24), at No. 5 Salisbury University, No. 21 Penn St. Harrisburg (March 17), and No. 8 Rowan University (March 24).
D3baseball.com Preseason Top 10
1. UW-Whitewater
2. Endicott
3. Denison
4. Kean
5. Salisbury
6. Lynchburg
7. Messiah
8. Rowan
9. Trinity (Tx.)
10 Salve Regina
MAC Commonwealth Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Messiah - 49 (7)
2. Alvernia - 40Â
3. York - 35
4. Widener - 32
5. Eastern - 27
6. Hood - 16
7. Stevenson - 13
8. Albright - 12
