Kansas Wesleyan Baseball Prepares for 2026 Season
Kansas Wesleyan University's baseball team enters the 2026 season as the defending Kansas Conference champions under head coach Bill Neale, now in his 12th season.
The Coyotes shared the conference title with Oklahoma Wesleyan last spring, marking their third consecutive crown. The team finished 41-15 overall and 30-6 in the KCAC, winning the conference postseason tournament and qualifying for the NAIA Opening Round for the third straight year. KWU has won 133 games since 2023.
"The plan is to get to Lewiston (Idaho, site of the NAIA World Series) and make some noise there," Neale said. "Obviously, it starts with winning the KCAC and winning the tournament."
The team faces significant roster changes, particularly in pitching. The Coyotes return only 140 of 460 innings pitched from last season, primarily from three players. Returning pitchers include Shaw Lee (5-0, 2.45 ERA), Riley Gwin (3-1, 2.61), and Hunter Blea (0-0, 3.47, 5 saves). Key newcomers include transfers Russell Freedheim from Santa Rosa, Kayden Shivers from Loras, and Logan Baptista from Merced.
The infield returns most of its core, including third baseman Garrett Garfield (.290, 15 home runs, 59 RBI), first baseman Fernando Ruvalcaba (.326, 18 home runs, 65 RBI), second baseman Joe Finder (11 home runs, 38 RBI), and utility player Blake Dale (.276, 7 home runs, 20 RBI). Carter Allen, a transfer from Eastern Illinois, returns at catcher after hitting 15 home runs with 66 RBI last season. Niko Olson, a transfer from Division I Santa Clara, joins the team at shortstop.
The outfield underwent significant changes following graduations, with returning players Coulson Riggs and Lakin Franz joined by several transfers.
Neale credits the coaching staff's consistency for the program's success. Associate head coach Bret Ringer and pitching coach Tyler Huffstickler each return for their fourth season.
"I think it's the consistency of how we operate and honestly how the three of us are so different, but we work so well together," Neale said.
The KCAC conference tournament will be held April 29-May 2 at Dean Evans Stadium in Salina.
Weather has affected the season's start. KWU's opening series at University of the Southwest has been moved to January 26-27 in Hobbs, New Mexico. The home opening series against Doane has been rescheduled to January 31-February 1 at Dean Evans Stadium.