Baseball Opens Fall Practice with Large Group of Newcomers

The Youngstown State baseball team held its first official team practice of fall ball under first-year head coach Trevor Charpie on Monday afternoon at Eastwood Field. The Penguins are incorporating a group of 23 newcomers, which includes 14 transfers and nine true freshmen.

The workout started with stretching and light running before moving into situational baserunning drills. Following the baserunning session, players worked on positional skill development before an individual defensive session with Assistant Coach Will Maddox. Following a team defensive session, the Penguins proceeded to hold batting practice with Assistant Coach Dylan Moser.

In addition to the group of 23 newcomers, the Penguins also have 25 returners from last season currently on the program's roster. Senior right-hander Jacob Gehring highlights the group of returners after a strong debut season as a Penguin in 2024. The Canfield, Ohio, native was named First-Team All-Horizon League last season after transferring in from Ohio State. Gehring led YSU with four victories, 57 strikeouts and 79.1 innings pitched while matching the single-season school record with 15 games started.

The most experienced returner in terms of position players is senior outfielder Eli Brown. The Bowling Green, Ohio, native has played in 116 games and made 90 starts for the Penguins over the last three seasons. Brown played in 56 games and made 53 starts in the outfield as a junior in 2024.

Roster Breakdown

Returners (25): Brandin Anderson (Jr., RHP), Tyler Barni (R-So., RHP), Eli Brown (Sr., OF), Colin Casteel (So., RHP), Aiden Dunlap (R-So., IF), Aidan English (Jr., RHP), Braden Gebhardt (Jr., LHP), Jacob Gehring (Sr., RHP), Jack Johnson (R-Jr., C), Carter Kocik (Jr., C), Nolan Kubilus (Sr., RHP), Cam Marshalwitz (Jr., LHP), Brandon McClain-Banks (R-Fr., IF), Brandon Mikos (R-Jr., RHP), Nick Miscavage (R-Fr., IF), Braden Mosby (R-Fr., C), Olindo Pezzone (R-Fr., RHP/OF), Lane Rhodes (R-Jr., RHP), Mikey Rodriques (So., RHP), Teddy Ruffner (R-Jr., OF), Mitchell Seymour (R-So., RHP), Michael Shallcross (R-Fr., RHP), Zach Stayduhar (R-Jr., RHP), Sloan Ulrich (Jr., LHP), Gavin Wilms (So., RHP)

Newcomers (23): Nathan Beckley (R-Jr., UTIL), Phil Brennaman (R-Sr., RHP), James Carlson (Fr., OF), Garrett Cutting (R-Jr., IF), Kyle Fossum (Sr., OF), Brayden Foster (R-Jr., IF), Thomas Fowler (Jr., RHP), Nic Goodwin (Jr., C), Caleb Hadley (Fr., C), Tyler Heflin (Fr., RHP), Mark Henderson (Jr., LHP), Brayden Kuriger (Jr., OF/1B), Will Nash (Fr., IF), Harun Pelja (Sr., RHP), Colby Rohe (Fr., RHP/1B), Nate Ross (Jr., RHP), Tommy Rover (R-Sr., IF), Hayden Scarmack (Fr., IF), Parker Schwake (Fr., 1B/C), Cole Smith (Sr., IF), Jed Stange-Tregear (Fr., IF), JJ Tylicki (R-Sr., RHP), Jay Wrona (Fr., IF)

Transfers (14): Nathan Beckley (UTIL - Golden West College), Phil Brennaman (RHP -Louisiana Lafayette), Garrett Cutting (IF - Utah Tech), Kyle Fossum (OF - Washington), Brayden Foster (IF - Mount St. Mary's), Thomas Fowler (RHP - Waubonsee Community College), Nic Goodwin (C - Skagit Valley College), Mark Henderson (LHP - College of Southern Idaho), Brayden Kuriger (OF - Nicholls), Harun Pelja (RHP - Spring Hill College), Nate Ross (RHP - Waubonsee Community College), Tommy Rover (IF - Fresno Pacific University), Cole Smith (IF - UT Martin), JJ Tylicki (RHP - Kansas)

True Freshmen (9): James Carlson, Caleb Hadley, Tyler Heflin, Will Nash, Colby Rohe, Hayden Scarmack, Parker Schwake, Jed Stange-Tregear, Jay Wrona

For the latest news and updates on the YSU baseball program leading up to the 2025 season, follow @YSUBaseball on X and Instagram.