| 2025 ROSTER | 2025 SCHEDULE | RECRUITS |
365 days ago, Chuck Bowen was finally entrenched in his first full year as Head Coach, after spending time in 2023 under the "interim" designation. He was now the full-time skipper for a group coming off of a 9-win 2023 season, and expectations were uncertain. What he and the Chargers did last Spring, however, was outstanding. While on the surface a 16-29 record might not stand out, the MUAC Baseball team set a record by posting the most wins in program history, and 2025 looks to potentially be even better, as the Chargers could very well surpass that 16-win total.
Missing from last year's record-setting club are all-conference performers Austin Hear, Conner Boone, and Nathan Marshman. Hear, who was the primary catcher each of the last two season's, was named to the All-MCCAA Team. That also qualified him to be on the MCCAA Western Division 1st Team. Hear led the Chargers in batting average (.418), doubles (10), runs batted in (32), total bases (63), and slugging percentage (.573). Boone, primarily a shortstop during his career here, led the team in hits (51) and stolen bases (26), and he was second in batting average (.317), doubles (8), runs batted in (29), and total bases (61). Marshman was the team's top starting pitcher, leading the staff in games started (12), complete games (2), wins (5), innings pitched (60.2), and strikeouts (35). Both Boone and Marshman were named MCCAA Western Division Honorable Mention for their efforts in 2024. Other notable players who will be missed include outfielders Hunter Smith (.297, 13 RBIs, 5 SBs) and Kennon Kemp (.283, 20 RBIs, 12 SBs), infielder Cade Riley (.289, 8 RBIs, 8 SBs), plus relief pitchers Nolan Green (27.2 IP, 20 Ks, 8 SVs) and Christian Conder (41.2 IP, 23 Ks, 2 Ws, 1 SV).
Returning to the diamond for the Chargers is a solid core of nine players, including five pitchers, so there should be some depth and experience amongst the staff and bullpen. Sophomore infielder Blaze Schultz saw the most action, appearing in 44 games last season. Schultz hit .272 in 114 at-bats, he drove in 17 runs, and he stole 7 bases. Schultz also provided 5 2/3 innings of relief work to help the bullpen last year. Sophomore first baseman Isaiah Steinhilber made 21 appearances and logged 38 at-bats, and Sophomore outfielder John Morgan saw action in 15 games, he stepped to the plate 14 times, and he pitched 4 innings in relief. The Chargers are excited about the return of Redshirt Freshman infielder/pitcher Aiden Diaz. He was off to a good start in 2024, hitting .370 through 10 games, plus he had logged a 4-inning start on the mound, but he was lost shortly thereafter to a season-ending injury.
As for those returning to the mound, Sophomore starters Jacob Hobbs and Jaden Franceschina logged the most innings. Hobbs started 9 of the 13 games he appeared in, he pitched 49 innings, struck out 27 batters, and picked up 4 wins. Hobbs even posted a complete game. Franceschina started 11 of the 12 games he took the hill for, he pitched 48 innings, struck out 34 batters, and picked up 3 wins. Sophomore Traevyn Shoaf showed off his positional versatility. He pitched 14 times, started a pair of games, and struck out 8 batters in 16 1/3 innings. Shoaf also hit .261 in 23 at-bats and stole a pair of bases. Sophomore reliever Cooper Gorgievski took to the mound 10 times, he struck out 14 batters in 11 1/3 innings, and he picked up a pair of victories. Redshirt Freshman Nico Galea was in much of the same boat as Diaz (above). Galea pitched 2 innings over 2 relief appearances before having to shut it down due to a season-ending injury.
This season, a strong collection of newcomers has the Charger faithful excited. All are Freshmen. 5-10 outfielder Isaak Osborne comes to the Chargers from Sullivan High School, and you'll likely see him atop the lineup. He's a quick leadoff hitter and a good defensive outfielder. 5-8 2nd baseman Logan Clark packs a punch. The Kouts High School graduate has a lot of power and home run potential at his size. 5-9 catcher Nolan Pizzo should be a nice replacement for Hear (above) behind the plate. Pizzo is a quality defensive backstop with a strong arm, he works pitchers well, and when he steps to the plate, he always finds a way to get on base. He is from Oscar A. Carlson High School in Michigan. 5-6 shortstop Jose Paris is a fast and athletic contact hitter. Despite his shorter stature, he also possesses some pop in his bat. Paris is from Carolina, Puerto Rico. 5-10 Twin Lakes graduate Tanner Coble is a gap to gap power hitter who could also see a little time on the mound as a pitcher. He is primarily a 3rd baseman. 6-1 1st baseman Wes McNeff comes to Marian Ancilla from West Lafayette Harrison. He adds a left-handed bat to the lineup and brings a lot of power. McNeff also has a good glove at 1st. 6-1 outfielder Jaxson Hixson of Delphi Community High School should see his share of at-bats as well. He is a contact hitter who always seems to put together quality appearances at the plate. Also look for 6-2 Westfield High School graduate Aayden Antoine to make an impact. He is a powerful hitter who can spread the ball around all fields. He could act as a designated hitter or find some innings at 1st base. 6-0 Owen Negron of Loiza, Puerto Rico, was set to be a key piece in the middle of the lineup, but he will likely miss the remainder of the season with an injury. Additional Freshmen looking to crack into the lineup on a regular basis include: utility fielder Dyson Adkins of Cascade High School, infielder Dylan Ford of Benton Central High School, infielder Javier Higham of Northview High School, outfielder Jackson Hobbs & infielder Lucas Hobbs of Warren Central High School, outfielder Aiden Marcus of Lafayette's Jefferson High School, and catcher/pitcher Caden Taylor of Fortville's Mount Vernon High School.
There are also a handful of Freshmen pitchers looking to make an impression on the 2025 season. 6-0 starter Kaleb Short graduated from River Forest High School, and he is a competitive, crafty righty who has some power, but he also mixes his pitches well and works the plate with command. Short might also spend a little time in the outfield. 6-4 starting pitcher Evan Lanphier has an intimidating presence on the mound, and he is highly competitive. The Cascade High School graduate throws hard, he is a strikeout pitcher, but he also mixes in some good off-speed stuff as well. Out of the bullpen, look for 6-1 North Newton grad Patrick Barry to eat up several innings. The crafty righty pitches with good control, and you might also see him a little in the infield and at bat. Additional Freshmen pitchers include: Jayden Johnson of Taylor High School, Jacob Pitney of Triton High School, Nikolas Rios of Coronado High School in Texas, and Hunter Williams of Taylor High School. Pitney is unfortunately having to use a medical redshirt this season.
With regard to the outlook on the season, Head Coach Chuck Bowen had a lot to offer. "Last year was great, and we want to celebrate that accomplishment, without a doubt. However, we can't be satisfied, and we must continue to move forward and use last year as a foundation for the future. We return some good guys who were a part of that success, and we feel like the newcomers we have recruited to Marian Ancilla only make us better, deeper, and more versatile. I am really excited to see what the Spring brings, and we would like to compete to be somewhere in the middle third of the MCCAA Western Division this season."
