ST. PAUL, Minn. – This weekend, Concordia-St. Paul baseball heads to the Indianapolis, Indiana area for its long-awaited season-opening series, a 3-game set against Tiffin (Ohio) University with a doubleheader on Sunday followed by a single game on Monday at Logansport High School.
The Golden Bears were originally scheduled to travel to Emporia State (Kan.) for a season-opening 4-game series before winter weather and cold conditions forced the cancellation. While CSP was able to land Tiffin for a revamped season-opening series at a neutral site, this weekend's games have been affected during the scheduling process, first changing venues before eventually canceling Saturday's series opener.
For the Golden Bears, it's a chance at three NCAA Division II contests before heading to Maryville, Missouri next weekend for a 3-game set with a single game each day next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Northwest Missouri State, an in-region opponent from the MIAA.
This weekend's games will not feature live coverage, but next weekend's games at NWMSU will be available to watch (pay-per-view) on the MIAA Network.
Concordia has never faced Tiffin, or any other opponent starting with a "T" for that matter (in recorded baseball history). CSP met NW Missouri State in 2001 in CSP's second year of NCAA Division II baseball, falling 19-11 to the Bearcats at a neutral site in Joplin, Missouri.
ABOUT THE DRAGONS
Tiffin is coming off of a 26-25 overall season in 2024, finishing seventh in the GMAC with a 17-15 league record before making a strong GMAC Tournament run, falling in the championship to Trevecca Nazarene. This year, the GMAC heads to divisional play with Tiffin earning the third spot in the six-team GMAC North Division.
The Dragons are off to a 1-1 start to the 2025 season, splitting a Valentine's Day doubleheader with Saginaw Valley State (Mich.), winning the opener 17-8 before falling 2-0 in the second game. The next day's doubleheader against Grand Valley State was canceled.
Tiffin hit .309 while holding SVSU to a .207 average in the doubleheader. Three Dragons hit .500 to start the year, Adam Deitschel (4-8, 3 R, 3 RBI), Luke Westerman (4-8, 3 R) and Andrew Fairbrother (3-6, 3 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB) while Griff Cady hit a home run and drove in five.
Scotty Adelman pitched into the fifth inning of the loss (4.2), allowing two runs (both earned) on five hits with a pair of walks and strikeouts. In the win, Jonathan Ray got the start, working the first three frames, allowing just one hit but three runs scored as he walked a pair and his only hit allowed was a home run. Zach Johnson pitched 2.0 no-hit innings, walking three to pick up the win in relief.
ABOUT THE BEARCATS
NW Missouri State is coming off of a 21-30 overall season, finishing seventh in the MIAA at 12-21. The Bearcats were picked 12th in the 13-team MIAA Preseason Poll and are off to a 4-4 start to the 2025 season.
After dropping three of four in a season-opening series at Regis in Denver, Colorado, the Bearcats responded by taking three of four at Christian Brothers in Memphis, Tennessee before this week's in-state road game at Drury was canceled. This Sunday and Monday, NWMSU heads to nationally-ranked #13 Missouri Southern State in Joplin, Missouri to open MIAA play.
The Bearcat bats have been led by Ryan Williams at .414/.474/.586 (12-29), Dylan Hufft at .406/.459/.625 (13-32) and Kaehukai Young at .310/.371/.621 (9-29) as the trio has all eclipsed 11 RBIs for a total of 36 between them with 24 runs, seven doubles, a triple and four home runs. Young leads the team with three home runs and 14 RBIs while Hufft has slugged team-highs five doubles and 13 hit with Williams leading the team in hitting and adding a 6-1 BB-SO ratio at the dish.
While NWMSU has been solid at the plate with a .279 average, .421 team OBP and .433 team slugging, their opponents have been tough outs, hitting .363/.478/.645 against the Bearcats.
Ben Haug leads the pitching staff with a pair of starts, working 11.0 innings for a 2-0 record including a complete game shutout. He holds a 4.09 ERA and .211 opponent average with seven strikeouts. Brock Steggall has been the relief ace, with a pair of appearances including 6.0 shutout innings, striking out four while allowing three hits and a pair of walks, holding bats to a .136 average with a win and a save.
2025 GOLDEN BEARS SEASON PREVIEW
With head coach Neil Lerner's first season leading the program in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, a number of his first recruits were granted additional eligibility by the NCAA. Combined with freshmen from the 2021 season, the program has been steadily building in Lerner's five seasons, culminating in a 29-22 overall record, 19 wins in the NSIC and a strong run in the NSIC Tournament as one of the last four teams standing.
The group was led by a veteran-laden core of position players, starting pitchers and back-end relievers.
"We were really fortunate to bring in such great recruits in those first two cycles (2020 & 2021). The group really set a strong foundation on how I envisioned our program running. The guys exemplified leadership, developed an identity for CSP baseball based on hard work, representing our program well on the field, on campus and in the community and really set the bar high," said Coach Lerner, entering his sixth season in 2025.
He continued, "Having this group, at this time, was really a blessing for our program. They provided the foundation of what we want this program to be like. They'll be missed tremendously as players for their on-field baseball skills, but just as much for the people and leaders that they are. They've left some big shoes to fill in all areas, but they've set the standard for future guys to live up to going forward."
They'll be looking to fill voids at catcher (Justin McGuigan), second base (Brayden Roybal), shortstop (Jaden Werner), third base (Mason Nadolney), right field (Nick Thimsen) and outfield (Bryce Nelson, LF/CF) while super-relievers Eric Lundell and Matt Sherman combined for 40 appearances and six saves, and Logan Shaffer had seven relief appearances and three starts in a key swing role.
Last year alone, those six position players combined for a .330/.417/.534 slash, a .951 OPS (292-884), 54 doubles, three triples, 40 home runs, 221 runs scored and 214 RBIs.
Sherman (21 app) and Lundell (19 app) led the team in appearances in 2024 and are among the program's leaders in career appearances, too, with Lundell ranking second with 65 while producing a 13-9 record, nine saves, a 5.69 career ERA and 92 strikeouts across 117.0 innings and Sherman ranking fourth with 59 appearances as he produced a 5-5 record, four saves, a 6.83 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 87.0 innings.
While the raw totals can be daunting, Lerner and the squad need to replace an average of nine doubles, seven home runs, 37 runs, 36 RBIs and 4.7 stolen bases per guy.
"We have opportunities for players to come in and make an impact," commented Lerner. "And we have some things to figure out, a lot of competition which is a product of our team depth and versatility. We have some transfers, some freshmen, and some guys who have had limited opportunities in the past but will get a chance to step into a new role for us this season."
But the team enters the season led by Preseason All-American Bennett McCollow, who has earned preseason nod at both second base and designated hitter depending on the outlet, and was the 2024 NSIC Newcomer of the Year while earning All-Central Region honors by all three major Division II baseball awards (ABCA, NCBWA, D2CCA) and appearing on a pair of All-America teams.
"When you bring in junior college players, which we do a lot of, you hope for tremendous players who can make an immediate impact, but you also look for people like Bennett McCollow. Our offense will be centered around him, along with Kal Brohmer, Koby McBroome and Noah Juliar who are all experienced starters. Koby goes from centerfield to shortstop to take over for Jaden. Kal will play all over, he has that ability, he's been first base the last two years and was our DH as a freshman. He can play first, second, outfield – wherever he's needed. He's a career .300 hitter, a leader, he doesn't strikeout much and takes quality at bats. Noah returns to start in the outfield, he's had two really good years at the plate, is a .300 career hitter and our team leader in RBIs. Koby led off for us last year, and should again this year and is a .400-plus on-base guy," Lerner explained.
Specifically, Brohmer is a .313 career hitter (118-377) in 122 games, hitting .308 last season with a .433 OBP, and is two years removed from his breakout 2023 season when he hit .354/.459/.449 (52-147) with eight doubles and three triples and is a former All-NSIC Second Team selection as a DH.
Juliar, meanwhile, leads all returners with 58 RBIs a year ago, just two behind Thimsen's team-leading 60 as he hit .321/.396/.534 (62-193) with 13 doubles, five triples and six home runs. He's a career .319/.387/.525 (110-345) hitter in 95 games with 19-8-12 for extra-base hits and 99 RBIs.
McBroome is a .265 hitter, but has the patience and approach that has led to a .418 career OBP (50-189) in 63 games, breaking .400 in both of his seasons at CSP.
The trio supplements McCollow's torrid .424/.511/.696 (81-191) batting line for a 1.207 OPS, slugging 18 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, with 64 runs and 53 RBIs.
"Last year, we led the NSIC in hitting (.327) and it's hard to replace Thimsen who hit over .400 (.415), Jaden Werner hit .380, our fifth-year catcher McGuigan hit .330 and Nadolney hit 19 homers. It's a lot to replace, but this group has the skills necessary to have a similar offensive season collectively, the guys just need to step up and take advantage of their opportunities."
Additionally, Lerner expects a number of returning players to shift to new spots defensively entering the season, "While Bennett will get some time at second base again, Kal will help us there when Bennett is the DH, and he can go to the outfield when Bennett's at second. Koby played centerfield last year, but he was a shortstop in high school and is such a good athlete that we were able to move him to the outfield to get his bat in the lineup along with Jaden (Werner) and he was good defensively there. He has that experience at short and will be just fine over there – he's a gamer and competitor. Noah will probably skip across the field from left field to right field."
Lerner added, "There isn't really a single spot in our starting defensive lineup that will be the exact same this year, with maybe the exception of Bennett at second base and DH."
INFIELD
Junior college transfer Charlie Harms (NIACC) and returning redshirt freshman Blake Eckmann headline the team's options at first base with Brohmer expanding his glove collection at various positions. "Charlie Harms is a really good defender whose glove might allow us that luxury of moving Kal around if he can solidify the spot. Blake redshirted for us last year and has grown as a hitter and could help us offensively," said Lerner.
While McCollow and Brohmer figure to occupy a significant number of starts at second base, their inclusion at other positions (McCollow DH, Brohmer 1B/OF) could open up opportunities for redshirt freshman Jack Setterlund. "We could see Jack at second base this year, too, he redshirted last year and has really improved and provides us with infield depth."
Joining the left side of the infield next to McBroome is a returner looking to step into a regular role at third base, Will Husemann, who had an opportunity to play in 18 games with 11 starts as a true freshman. "Will played a bit last year as a freshman in a stacked lineup, so he was just sort of in a platoon role in certain situations. He's a big, strong, physical kid who can drive the ball out of the park. He's like Mason (Nadolney) in that he can hit homers for us, and we expect him to be good defensively, too."
Husemann is coming off of a freshman campaign that saw him hit .349/.404/.605 (15-43) with two doubles and three home runs.
The infield depth is buoyed by a pair of true freshmen: Eric Berg and Hawken Hedlund. "Eric is from New Prague, plays multiple infield spots and could make an impact as a freshman. He has good size (6-2, 185), runs well and has always hit at every level. Hawken is from Eden Prairie, is a good athlete where he played football and baseball as a prep for the Eagles and could provide some key depth for us."
OUTFIELD
In the outfield, with Lerner expected to shift Juliar from left to right field and McBroome expected to move from center to shortstop, the Golden Bears are looking at a variety of complimentary options to fill the two vacated openings in left and center field.
"Kaden Johnson played some for us last year, he'll get a chance in center or right and brings good power, good speed and a ton of upside as a player. He could develop into a big time role for us."
As a true freshman, Johnson saw action in nine games including four starts despite a crowded and veteran-laded outfield.
"In left, we have Tomas Lee, a transfer from DMACC who hits lefty and gives us quality at bats and will compete for time along with returning transfer Jeremy McGuigan, Justin's brother, who has always had good at bats and is a very competitive player."
Another group of returners looking to expand their roles, "two junior outfielders who haven't played much in the past for us, Cooper Borchardt and Landon Behringer – Landon is the fastest guy in the program, he can really run-down balls in the outfield and when he gets on base is an absolute threat to steal and could be a factor in center. Cooper has really improved, as well, and could get an opportunity."
With multiple options in the infield and outfield mix, the designated hitter spot has a variety of candidates who bring different skills to plate.
"Last year, going into the season, I felt confident about who would play most positions in our starting lineup. This year, we have a lot of competition for spots, and playing the MIAA early, we'll see who steps up and earns those opportunities for conference play."
CATCHERS
The catching position features more depth in 2025 than it did in 2024, which adds up considering Justin McGuigan had a stranglehold on the position during his time at CSP, playing in 151 games with 137 starts including 91 games and 89 starts as a junior and senior.
Incoming transfer Trett Joles leads the group entering his sophomore year, with his career starting in 2022 at Indiana State where he redshirted before spending two seasons at North Iowa Area Community College where his 2023 was lost due to an injury. Last year, he hit .340/.450/.520 at NIACC in 14 games including extra-base power with three doubles and two home runs.
But it's not his bat that impresses Lerner and the coaching staff, "Trett has worked through injuries prior to coming to our program, and he's a talented and skilled catcher, an excellent receiver and he can hit at this level."
He'll compete with returner Jack Greenlun for opportunities behind the plate as Greenlund played in nine games with two starts last season, hitting .333/.385/.583 (4-12) with a home run. But the senior is also a two-way player and expected to have an important role at the back-end of CSP's bullpen, which may limit his catching opportunities.
"Jack's been with us as our backup catcher the last few years, he'll get an opportunity but Jack will have a big role on this club on the mound as a high-leverage reliever, so he may not be available for as many catching chances this season."
The group also includes redshirt freshman Eli Nelson and true freshman Chase McQuade, "Both are talented and will get some opportunities to play behind the upperclassmen, and we are looking to develop them as our long-term catchers in the program."
STARTING PITCHING
Unlike the lineup and bullpen, the Golden Bears bring back the core of their starting pitching rotation from 2024 in senior Korey Dahlberg (5-5, 7.61), senior Gavin Rusch (5-3, 6.53), sophomore Ian Segna (6-1, 4.92) and senior Reece Piontek (1-3, 11.10).
Together, they started 44 of CSP's 51 games and accounted for 55 percent of the team's innings and produced a 17-12 won-loss record.
"It's a big deal to return your top four starting pitchers. They have been consistent in our rotation, three are seniors and our sophomore, Ian, had a great freshman year last year. You feel good about these four during our early season conference weekends when we don't have the mid-week doubleheaders going," said Coach Lerner.
He continued, "We'll look for their leadership, their ability to pitch deep into games with their experience being the strength of our staff giving us an opportunity to win games. None of our guys are overpowering or light up the radar gun. They're all in the upper 80s with multiple pitches, throw strikes and know how to compete in the zone. Korey's been our #1 guy since his sophomore year and can't wait to see him step forward as a senior, and Ian had a big freshman year and now has a full year and a half under his belt as a college pitcher."
Of the seven games not started by this group of four, three starts left to graduation (Logan Shaffer), two are out for the season (Jack Nicklaus), leaving only two games started returning from senior Leo Bustos.
BULLPEN
"Lundell and Sherman are second and fourth all-time in career appearances, they were the foundation of the bullpen the last few years, but our 2025 bullpen is also impacted by injuries. Jack Nicklaus had a huge role as a swingman including some high-leverage relief and is out for the year, so our top-three relievers from 2024 won't pitch for us in 2025 due to graduation or injury. Add in swingman Logan Shaffer graduating and David Salz out for the season, and our bullpen has essentially either graduated or is injured for the year."
Lerner summarized his staff, stating, "We've got a lot of experience with our starting group, and after that we're going to get some guys who just haven't had a lot of opportunities, are going to get some chances to step up. For the last couple of years, it's been Lundell and Sherman and Nicklaus as the main arms out of the 'pen and you're going to see some new arms get new opportunities to pitch for us, and whoever takes advantage of those opportunities are the guys who will be out there more."
The aforementioned group of pitchers accounts for the top four bullpen innings totals: Lundell (40.0), Sherman (33.1), Nicklaus (27.0) and Shaffer (24.2) and all four had the top ERAs among the 2024 bullpen arms.
"This is an opportunity for guys to step into new roles in 2025, and we have a high number of guys aiming for those opportunities," commented Lerner.
While factoring into the depth chart behind the plate, Jack Greenlun is the top returning and healthy bullpen arm. He appeared in 11 games in relief and worked 19.0 innings with 15 strikeouts and picking up a win in his only decision.
"Greenlun has pitched quite a bit, and will be looked at to fill a Lundell-type high-leverage bullpen role," said Lerner.
Two others return with significant innings: Andrew Boeser and Leo Bustos. Boeser worked in 10 relief appearances, totaling 11.2 innings while Bustos pitched in five games including a pair of starts for 6.0 innings.
"Boeser and Bustos are returners and have some experience for us, we'll look for them to have a bigger role this year."
Pitchers expected to impact the high-leverage roles include Fritz Meyer and Christian Lindow.
Meyer comes to Concordia with two years of experience at NIACC before spending a year at Division I Towson University where he made seven relief appearances, striking out seven in 7.0 innings.
Lindow was among the top starting pitchers for Bemidji State where he amassed over 40 career innings in two seasons, moving from the bullpen in 2023 with 12 relief appearances to a starter in 2024 with seven starts and 23.1 innings including a season-best 6.0 inning effort allowing two earned runs on four hits with six strikeouts against Winona State.
"Fritz is a Minnetonka kid who throws hard, pitched at a high level and had success. We think he can help in a high-leverage role in the bullpen or as a starting pitcher. Christian was a main starting pitcher for Bemidji State and we're excited to see him in a high-leverage role in our bullpen."
Other incoming transfers include Sam Cooper and left-hander Ollie Yuhas both from NIACC , Cooper Mollet from Eastern Michigan and Caden Carsen from Minnesota State.
"We also have Liam Bystol, a redshirt freshman who pitched a great game for Rosemount High School in the state championship. He doesn't throw hard, but throws multiple pitches for strikes and can work his way through the order once."
Lerner also mentions true freshmen in the mix, "We have some freshmen who could help us, too: Lou Walker and Miles Jensen while Kaden Russo and Connor Strop have been battling injuries so they're a bit behind. We also have redshirt freshman Jake McNeil who missed last year with injury and he's a bit behind, too, but those are some freshman pitchers who we think could get some opportunities for us."
From this group, arms will emerge for squad's four midweek doubleheaders which begin April 9, well into the season.
SCHEDULE (interview conducted prior to ESU cancellation & Tiffin addition)
The Golden Bears open play with seven games on the road against the Mid-American Athletic Association (MIAA), starting with four games at Emporia State (Kan.) February 14 to 16 before heading to Maryville, Missouri to face NW Missouri State for three games, one each day February 27 to March 1.
"It's important for us to get these early games in, get outside and compete after being in the dome (Concordia Dome at Sea Foam Stadium) and Pole Barn for so long. Then we'll get a few non-conference games played in Arizona before a first for our program – we'll have a 4-game series against Minot State in Tucson, a chance to play in warmer weather in league play."
The Golden Bears were picked sixth in the NSIC Preseason Poll after tying for seventh in the standings last year before making a run to the last four teams competing for the NSIC Tournament Championship.
"It's nice for our program to be picked sixth after the season we had. For us to be in that mix in the top-six, we'll need rely on improved defense and improving the quality of our starting pitching as focal points that we've worked on in January and February. Augustana and Minnesota State are 1-2 in the league poll, and those are the strongest two teams on paper in the league. We'll be doing whatever we can to be in that top-4 or top-6 grouping, and go out and compete for a conference championship – that's the goal."
Lerner concluded, "I like the vibe of the group, they work hard and they want to win. When you get to the fifth or sixth week in the dome and pole barn, you're ready to go out and see another opponent. We're ready to go out there and play and learn from it."
