EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. — The expectations on the ESU baseball team have never been higher than they are right now. A 2025 Atlantic Regional championship. Top-12 Division II preseason rankings. First place in the PSAC East Preseason Poll. All eyes are on the Warriors going into 2026. And while it's rewarding to be acknowledged for their success, talk is cheap. This ESU team is ready to prove people right on the diamond this spring.
 
"The expectations have been here now for the last five or six years," Head Coach John Kochmansky said. "It's been humbling, and it's nice that's what people think of us. But it's our actions that are going to show who we are."
 
The Warriors' 2025 resume speaks for itself. Coming off of a 41-16 campaign with the program's first-ever trip to Cary, N.C., it's exciting to think about the potential this team has as it turns the page to the next season. ESU posted top-five seasons in program history in on-base percentage (.418), runs (406), home runs (54), stolen bases (137), shutouts (6), strikeouts (374), and fielding percentage (.978), bringing back 64% and 89% of its offensive and pitching production, respectively.
 
Kochmansky's formula to replicate that success this season is simple: consistency. From the leadoff man to the nine-hole hitter, from the number one starting pitcher to the depth in the bullpen, if the Warriors can put full team efforts in day-in and day-out, they know the results will follow.
 
"The biggest thing is that we want to be consistent," Kochmansky repeated. "We want to make sure that we're getting guys on base. We don't worry about batting average; we worry about on-base percentage. We get our running game going. And what we've been able to do for the last five years is play elite defense. If we continue to do that, and this team certainly has the potential to be elite on defense, it usually leads to a lot of Ws."
 
Leading that effort at the plate will be a core of returning veterans, headlined by Shanley Wall, Parker Frey, Chaise Albus, and Walker Zampella. Wall, one of the top players of any position in the conference, has plenty of entries into the program record book throughout his career, including the seventh-best career OBP with .456. Frey has also continued to make a name for himself both batting and fielding, sitting just outside the all-time top 10 in career doubles and extra-base hits, and earning ABCA Atlantic Region All-Defensive team honors with a .998 fielding percentage at first base last year.  Albus, limited to 39 games due to an early-season injury, had the team's third-best batting average of .344,15 extra base hits, and 31 RBI's mostly from the third spot in the lineup.  On the basepaths, Zampella was in rare air when it came to stealing bases in 2025. Finishing two shy of the program record, he'll have the chance to move into the top five in stolen bases and replicate his 2025 All-PSAC East Second Team performance.
 
After losing two core bats in their lineup in four-year third baseman Jack Rothenhausler and designated hitter Dennis Pierce, the Warriors filled the void through the transfer portal. Although adding transfers comes with risk, early returns have shown promise during the preseason. Kochmansky noted "that when talented players like the ones we brought in fill a need, fit our philosophy and style of play, it's a no-brainer to add them to the roster."
 
Zander Condeelis, coming over from Canisius, is slated to fill the hole at third base defensively, impressing the staff as he moved over from the middle infield to the corner. Braydon Hubbard joins an existing group of outfielders that includes Ryan Manning and Aiden Butz, adding to a position they feel is a strength with the speed and depth they have out there. One of the top transfers in the conference from last season to this year is Cole Serfass. A two-time All-PSAC East player from Mansfield, he'll add more power to the lineup from the DH position, while giving ESU another option at catcher alongside Connor Reilly and Jackson Rutecki.
 
On the mound, the Warriors brought in two pitchers, Cade Davis from George Washington and Evan Hughes from York. Davis brings Division I experience to ESU, pitching 39 innings last year and posting a 4-1 record. Hughes comes over from York after a decorated two-year career, making All-MAC Commonwealth First Team last season, and All-MAC Commonwealth Second Team in 2024, in addition to being the conference's Rookie of the Year.
 
Those two join a pitching staff led by three bona fide starters in Ethan Woods, Peyton Brannock, and Ryan Dewees. Woods produced ace-level numbers in his first season with the Warriors, posting a 2.06 ERA with 43.2 IP to earn All-PSAC First Team honors. Brannock posted a 4.26 ERA in 13 starts, second-best and second-most for ESU's starting pitchers, striking out a team-high 50 batters. Dewees enters his senior year with a history of earning All-PSAC and All-Atlantic Region accolades, as he's a leader on the bump and in the dugout for the team. An underrated factor Kochmansky said will help the team build off their past success is the return of their leadership group. Having Dewees, Reilly, and Wall all back makes it easier to establish that consistency that will be a driving factor of the team's performance.
 
"These guys lead by example every day," Kochmanksy said. "Every year, you're replacing guys, you ask yourself, 'How are we going to play without this guy? How are we going to play without that guy?' But that's the idea of having a team with depth, so you're building something that can hopefully extend over time."
 
Though they'll lean on a deep group of veterans to lead the charge, opportunities will arise for the Warriors' newcomers. Whether it be an appearance out of the bullpen or a pinch-hit situation, Kochmansky said their freshman class will have chances to make its mark; it's just a matter of stringing together plays.
 
"We're creating depth, and it comes down to who does well," Kochmansky said. "Those young guys, when they get a chance to play, and they do well, then they get another chance."
 
Chase Frantz is one of those freshmen, beginning the season behind Frey at first base but in the mix for at-bats as the team's designated hitter. Ryland Yinger is another name to watch in a group of outfielders that just about any combination could start and perform well for ESU. Pitching-wise, Kyle Phillips and Evan Kovalcik are ones to keep an eye on, depending on how his bullpen opportunities pan out.
 
The middle infield will be held down by Easton Albert at shortstop and Zampella opposite of him.  Albert hit .317 as a freshman in 82 bats, along with a .451 OBP.  Josh Erd and freshman Gabe Gillespie will provide depth in the middle, with Christian Maccarrone and Frantz as the backup on the corners.
 
ESU's bullpen was one of its biggest strengths last year, with five pitchers throwing over 25 innings. Bringing back four of those arms, as well as counting on some different faces to grow into bigger roles, the Warriors are poised to lean on their pitching depth again in 2026. Johansel Brito will anchor the bullpen, coming off a season with the program record in appearances with 29. Behind Brito will be Jake Albert and Cole Dymek, who both threw over 39 innings and struck out 78 total batters. Ryan Cavanaugh improved his game down the stretch last year, making four consecutive postseason appearances without allowing a run. Rounding out the group is the collection of Caden Leonard, Jack Bacolo, Joe Zito, and Patrick Yoder. The Warriors have an arsenal of players who not only know how to, but have delivered in key moments in the past.
 
With opening day just 48 hours away, ESU has a unique opportunity that they've never had in program history going into this season. Ranked third by D2Baseball.com, 10^th by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, 12^th by the American Baseball Coaches Association, and first in the ultra-competitive PSAC East, the Warriors begin the race of the 2026 season in the lead. It's up to them hold their place.
 
"It's nice that we've been recognized by our peers," Kochmansky said. "But that's what they think of us. Our actions will show us who we really are. And, again, what I want our actions to show is we're going to be a well-rounded team that plays consistent baseball, resulting in a team that is tough to beat".