YSU Baseball Announces Group of Nine Newcomers for 2026-27
8/19/2026 11:00:00 AM | Baseball
A group of nine student-athletes have each signed to continue their academic and baseball futures at Youngstown State University in 2026-27, YSU head coach Trevor Charpie announced on Wednesday.
The group of signees who have joined the program this fall in preparation for the 2027 season are listed below.
- Ian Armbruster (Phoenix, Ariz./Scottsdale Community College)
- Luke Bryant (Ashland, Ohio/Ohio University)
- Colin Casteel (Butler, Pa.)
- Mike Gunn (New Castle, Pa./Olney Central College)
- Amaan Khan (Chicago, Ill./Saint Louis University)
- Zach Neville (Powell, Ohio/Miami University)
- Cameron Simmons (Columbus, Ohio/Morehouse College)
- Nick Tobin (Fairfield, Calif./Skyline College)
- Raul Valdivia (Santa Rosa, Calif./Sacramento State)
This group of newcomers will join 11 incoming true freshmen on the roster who signed to join the program last fall.
Charpie on Newcomers: "This is a significant class for our program, not just because of the numbers, but who these young men are and what they represent. We were very intentional throughout this entire recruiting process. Talent always matters, but makeup matters more. We targeted competitors, we targeted toughness. We targeted players who align with the blue-collar identity of Youngstown State baseball. The four junior college additions bring maturity and urgency. Those players have played meaningful innings and understand that opportunities are earned. Junior college baseball demands resilience, and that edge will show up immediately in our clubhouse and on the field. Our transfer portal additions were about strengthening specific needs and raising our overall standard. Those players bring Division I experience and production, and they understand what it takes to prepare and perform at this level. Experience, confidence and consistency are crucial, and we believe these newcomers will have an immediate impact."
Information on each of the student-athletes who have signed is below:
Ian Armbruster
RHP | Senior | 6'1 | 225 | R/R | Phoenix, Ariz. | Desert Vista High School | Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College: Made 15 appearances out of the bullpen for Scottsdale Community College (Scottsdale, Ariz.) as a redshirt sophomore in 2026… Finished with one save and 16 strikeouts in 11.0 innings pitched… Registered multiple strikeouts in six different outings… Recorded season highs with three strikeouts and 1.2 innings pitched at South Mountain Community College (2/11).
South Mountain Community College: Made four appearances out of the bullpen for South Mountain Community College (Phoenix, Ariz.) as a freshman in 2024… Finished with five strikeouts and two walks in 2.2 innings pitched… Registered a season-high three strikeouts over a scoreless inning of relief at Phoenix College (4/13).
Personal: Parents are Charles and Cheryl… Has a brother (Gavin)… Major is business administration.
Luke Bryant
RHP | Junior | 6'1 | 205 | R/R | Ashland, Ohio | Ashland High School | Ohio University
Ohio University: Made a total of 23 appearances including eight starts on the mound for the Bobcats over the first two years of his collegiate career… Made 12 appearances out of the bullpen as a freshman in 2025… Finished with an 0-1 record and 10 strikeouts in 12.2 innings pitched… Registered season highs with two strikeouts and 2.1 innings pitched at Morehead State (3/11/25)… Made eight starts and three relief appearances as a sophomore in 2026… Finished with an 0-5 record and 16 strikeouts in 27.0 innings pitched… Recorded a career-high five strikeouts over four innings at Tennessee Tech (2/21/26)… Tossed a career-high 4.2 innings vs. Dayton (2/27/26).
High School: Four-year letterwinner in baseball and two-year letterwinner in football at Ashland High School... Finished with a 5-2 record, a 1.54 ERA, 80 strikeouts, and six complete games in 60 innings pitched during his senior season... Two-time Ohio Cardinal Conference Pitcher of the Year... Two-time All-District pick… Two-time First Team All-Conference honoree... Second Team All-Ohio selection... District Player of the Year Runner Up.
Personal: Parents are James and Elisa… Has two brothers (Jacob and Josh)… Major is business administration.
Colin Casteel
RHP | Senior | 6'4 | 215 | R/R | Butler, Pa. | Butler High School
Youngstown State: Spent the first two years of his collegiate career at YSU… Made a total of 27 appearances including seven starts on the mound for the Penguins from 2024-25… Made seven relief appearances and six starts on the mound as a freshman in 2024… Finished with a 1-3 record, a 7.99 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched… Earned his first career victory after allowing one run on one hit and matching his season high with four strikeouts over a season-high six innings vs. Wright State in the Horizon League Tournament (5/24/24)… Made 13 relief appearances and one start as a sophomore in 2025… Finished with a 0-0 record and 16 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched.
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner at Butler High School… Posted a 3-0 record with two saves in nine appearances on the mound as a junior in 2022… Led the team with a 0.38 ERA while allowing only one earned run… Recorded 24 strikeouts and a .159 opponent batting average in 18.1 innings pitched… Posted a 2-3 record and a 2.21 ERA in 38 innings pitched over eight appearances and one start as a senior in 2023… Struck out 52 batters while walking 14… Played summer ball for the Astro Falcons under Coach Don Pletcher in the Youngstown Class B League… Helped lead the Astro Falcons to the 2023 Palomino World Series Championship.
Personal: Parents are Mark and Kristan… Has a brother (Kyle) and a sister (Morgan)... Major is civil engineering.
Mike Gunn
OF | Junior | 6'0 | 190 | R/R | New Castle, Pa. | Union Area High School | Olney Central College
Olney Central College: Played in 19 games for Olney Central College (Olney, Ill.) as a redshirt freshman in 2026… Had his season cut short due to injury… Batted .212 and slugged .423 with two doubles, three home runs and six RBIs… Recorded three walks, eight runs scored, a .293 on-base percentage and three stolen bases… Graduated with academic honors.
Slippery Rock: Did not see action for The Rock as a freshman in 2025… Redshirted.
High School: Three-sport standout at Union Area High School as a four-year starter in both baseball and football in addition to being a member of the basketball team … Four-time all-conference honoree in baseball … Finished his prep career by earning all-state honors as a senior … Led Union to back-to-back WPIAL baseball championships on the baseball field… Also a three-time all-conference honoree in football… Helped lead Union to one WPIAL football championship and a state runner-up finish… Finished his career as Union's all-time leader in career hits, runs scored and stolen bases… Perfect Game Preseason All-American in 2023 and 2024… Set new single-season and career school records for interceptions on the football field… Honor roll student.
Personal: Parents are Michael and Tera… Has two sisters (Gabby and Miera)… Father was a four-year baseball standout at Slippery Rock University from 1997-00… Major is general studies.
Amaan Khan
RHP | Junior | 6'5 | 210 | R/R | Chicago, Ill. | Lane Tech College Prep High School | Parkland College
Parkland College: Team captain and honor roll student at Parkland College (Champaign, Ill.)… Helped the Cobras win regional and district titles while earning a berth in the 2026 NJCAA Division II Baseball World Series… Made five appearances out of the bullpen as a sophomore during the 2026 season… Finished with nine strikeouts and five walks in 5.2 innings pitched… Recorded season highs with four strikeouts and two innings pitched in his season debut vs. Lake Land College (3/24)… Registered three strikeouts during a scoreless inning of relief vs. Lincoln Land Community College (4/20).
Saint Louis University: Made two appearances out of the bullpen for the Billikens as a freshman in 2025.
Other Highlights: Pitched one inning of relief for the Pakistan National Baseball Team in a 2022 World Baseball Classic Qualifier vs. Nicaragua at age 16… Pitched 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts for Team Pakistan vs. Team Japan in the Asian Baseball Championship in 2024… Made six appearances out of the bullpen for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the MLB Draft League in 2024 at age 18… Finished with a 5.87 ERA and five strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched.
High School: Team captain and honor roll student at Lane Tech College Prep High School… Helped his team win a Chicago Public School City Championship in 2024… Named the Illinois Pitch and Hit Club Player of the Year in 2023… Also played for Elite Baseball Training… Team was ranked No. 2 in the state of Illinois and No. 7 in the Midwest.
Personal: Parents are Azeem and Laleena… Has a brother (Ameen) and a sister (Laila)… Major is business administration.
Zach Neville
RHP | Fifth Year | 5'10 | 175 | R/R | Powell, Ohio | Olentangy High School | Miami University
Miami University: Made one appearance out of the bullpen for the RedHawks during the 2025 season.
Hiram College: Made one appearance out of the bullpen for Division III Hiram College as a freshman in 2023.
Other Highlights: Made 13 relief appearances on the mound for the Bristol State Liners in the Appalachian League during the summer of 2024… Finished with a 2.03 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 13.1 innings pitched… Selected as a 2024 Appalachian League All-Star… Nominee for the 2024 Appalachian League Humanitarian of the Year Award.
Personal: Parents are Al and Kerry… Has a brother (Nick)… Currently pursuing his master's degree in business administration.
Cameron Simmons
LHP | Sophomore | 6'1 | 195 | L/L | Columbus, Ohio | New Albany High School | Morehouse College
Morehouse College: Spent the 2026 season as a freshman at Division II Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga…. Named Second-Team All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference as a starting pitcher… Made 12 starts and one relief appearance on the mound… Finished with a 6-2 record, a 6.50 ERA, 70 strikeouts and two complete games in 63.2 innings pitched… Also batted .310 and slugged .500 with 13 hits in 42 at bats offensively… Recorded two doubles, two home runs, 10 RBIs, 14 walks, 12 runs scored and a .482 on-base percentage.
High School: Earned first-team all-district and second-team all-state honors as a two-way player at New Albany High School.
Personal: Parents are Clarence and Lachelle… Has a sister (Sela)… Major is business administration.
Nick Tobin
IF | Junior | 6'0 | 220 | R/R | Fairfield, Calif. | Casa Grande High School | Skyline College
Skyline College: Played the first two years of his collegiate career at Skyline College (San Bruno, Calif.)… Played in a total of 85 games over two seasons with the Trojans… Played in 42 games as a freshman in 2025… Batted .313 and slugged .435 with 10 doubles, two home runs and 36 RBIs… Recorded 36 walks, 25 runs scored, a .495 on-base percentage and two stolen bases… Committed two errors in 310 chances for a .994 fielding percentage… Played in 43 games as a sophomore in 2026… Batted .356 and slugged .594 with 14 doubles, eight home runs and 48 RBIs… Recorded 27 walks, 43 runs scored, a .481 on-base percentage and one stolen base… Did not commit an error in 322 chances for a 1.000 fielding percentage… Earned Coast Conference North Batting Champion honors in 2026… Named the Coast Conference North Gold Glove MVP and collected honorable mention all-conference honors in 2026.
Personal: Mother is Michele Sheldon… Major is business management.
Raul Valdivia
RHP | Senior | 6'2 | 220 | R/R | Santa Rosa, Calif. | Cardinal Newman High School | Sacramento State
Sacramento State: Made one appearance out of the bullpen for the Hornets as a junior in 2026… Pitched 1.1 innings of relief against UC Irvine (2/14/26).
Santa Rosa Junior College: Made 22 appearances out of the bullpen for the Bear Cubs as a sophomore in 2025… Finished with a 3-1 record, 12 saves and a 1.69 ERA in 48.0 innings pitched… Earned CCCAA All-America honors… Named First-Team All-Big 8 Conference… Struck out 66 hitters while issuing 26 walks… Allowed a total of nine runs on 24 hits… Averaged 12.38 strikeouts per nine innings… Posted a 1.04 WHIP and a .146 opponent batting average… Helped Santa Rosa JC claim the Big 8 Conference title and a berth in the NorCal Regional finals with a 44-3 overall record and a 23-1 conference mark… Ranked third in the Big 8 Conference in ERA while leading the league — and the state — in saves… Also tied for 10th in the conference in strikeouts and 12th in strikeouts per nine innings… Picked up the save in three of his first four appearances of the season… Struck out a season-high seven batters over four innings to earn the save against Diablo Valley (4/3/25)… Registered five strikeouts over 2.1 innings in a save against Sierra College in the regionals (5/16/25)… Tossed a season-high 4.2 innings and struck out four batters against Sierra College (3/20/25).
Menlo College: Made 10 relief appearances and one start on the mound for Division II Menlo College (Atherton, Calif.) as a freshman in 2024… Finished with 19 strikeouts in 21.0 innings pitched… Pitched two innings in his collegiate debut against Corban College (Ore.) (1/26/24)… Allowed one hit and struck out five batters over two innings of work to earn his only win of the season against Bethesda (4/6/24)… Tossed a season-high three innings against Jessup (4/20/24).
High School: Two-year varsity letter winner at Cardinal Newman High School… Helped the Cardinal to a pair of conference titles as a junior and senior as well as a national No. 23 ranking for most of his final prep season… Earned second-team all-conference honors after batting .333 in league games.
Personal: Parents are Raul and Mariela… Has two brothers (Adrian and Rey)… Major is communication studies.
For the latest news and updates on the YSU baseball program leading up to the 2027 season, follow @YSUBaseball on X and Instagram.
