LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates baseball team is ready to roll in 2026, with a host of returnees making them a threat to make noise in the NESCAC this season. They open the campaign this Friday at noon when Bates plays St. Lawrence University on the campus of the University of Delaware for the start of a three-game series. 

Head coach Jon Martin enters his 10th year at the helm of the program. 

"This is a fun group and they have high energy," Martin says. "They've done a great job in the weight room. We've gotten bigger, faster, and stronger this year working with our strength & conditioning coach Kayleigh Fournier."

Coming off their most NESCAC wins in one season since 2019, the Bobcats are led by junior captain Keagan Ryan (Salem, N.H.) and senior captain Liam Yardley (Keene, N.H.), who ensure that Bates is strong up the middle in center field and at catcher, respectively. Ryan led the team in batting average and on-base percentage while slashing .305/.452/.390 last year. Meanwhile, Yardley's calling card is defense, as he's caught 28 runners trying to steal over the past two seasons.

"Ryan and Yardley are all-in," Martin says. "They are vocal leaders and they love Bates. Both guys hold other players, and myself, accountable. They are exactly what we want on the field to lead this program for the upcoming season." 

The headliner on offense is sophomore first baseman David Swift (Yarmouth, Maine), who last season became the first Bobcat to earn All-NESCAC honors as a first-year. Swift led Bates in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) at .888. His seven home runs were the most by a Bobcat since Nate Pajka '15 smacked eight long balls in 2015 and the most by a Bates rookie since Pajka started his career with seven homers in 2012. Swift also led the Bobcats with 28 RBIs a year ago. In addition to his strong hitting, Swift played an outstanding first base, making just one error in 244 chances. 

"Swift is going to have some guys around him in the lineup who should really help out this year," Martin says. "We have a lot of bats who we expect to make a big impact." 

One of those bats is senior Gibby Sullivan (Yarmouth, Maine), who led the team in walks (21) last year and finished with a .755 OPS. Sullivan started at shortstop last season, but he can also play third base or a corner outfield position for Bates. Senior second baseman Joe Yoxall (Dallas, Texas) and sophomore shortstop John Federico (Durham, N.H.) give the Bobcats outstanding defense up the middle, with some solid hitting as well. Yoxall finished with a .387 on-base percentage last year while Federico posted a .286 batting average in a small sample as a rookie. Sophomore third baseman Tyler Tucker (Hamilton, N.J.) is another player who has impressed Martin so far this spring. The eventual return of junior Henry Prince (McLean, Va.) to full health should boost the offense as well, as he delivered a .952 OPS as a rookie before missing last year due to injury. 

"I like our infield a lot," Martin says. "Our whole philosophy is catch the baseball, then move it, and we've done a great job of that this spring." 

Behind the plate, Yardley is joined by sophomore Max Dushney (Ashland, Mass.) and junior Luke Yoon (Honolulu, Hawaii) as returnees who should see a lot of playing time this year. Dushney hit .275 as a rookie and Yoon is a left-handed bat who often pinch hits late in games. Yoon posted an impressive .415 OBP last year, consistently hitting line drives and getting on base for the Bobcats. 

Sullivan, senior Jack Margiloff (Rye, N.Y.) and senior Andrew Fortunato (Fairfield, Conn.) can flank Ryan in left or right field, while first-year lefty Brady Thompson (Newark, Del.) is a true two-way player who will play the outfield and also pitch for the Bobcats. 

"Thompson is a good athlete who runs well for his size," Martin says. "He's definitely going to help our lineup and he can really pitch too." 

Speaking of pitching, the Bobcats have a pair of senior starting pitchers who impressed last year. John Tully (Framingham, Mass.) was 3-1 with a 3.54 ERA in NESCAC games and Diego Sarabia (Mableton, Ga.) had the lowest ERA (4.73) on the team among qualified pitchers.

"Tully and Sarabia should anchor our pitching staff," Martin says. "They both pitched in competitive summer leagues and looked good, so we are expecting big things from them this year." 

Martin is excited about the talent he has on the pitching staff. Second Team All-State sophomore right-hander Charlie Cariello (Bedford, N.H.) made 12 appearances out of the bullpen in 2025 and held opponents to a .236 batting average in 19.1 innings pitched. He also picked up a win and a pair of saves in NESCAC action as a rookie. Sophomore Charlie Bushley (Cohasset, Mass.) also had a promising rookie season, with a couple of rough outings late in the year inflating his ERA. But he did not allow an earned run in six and two thirds innings pitched out of the bullpen against NESCAC foes Bowdoin, Colby, and Tufts.

"We know the two Charlies can really compete," Martin says. "I am excited to see what they can do with one year of experience under their belt." 

Senior Max Dio (Wellfleet, Mass.) is a hard-throwing right-hander who helped Bates toss a combined no-hitter last year against the University of Maine at Farmington. Juniors Nolan Hobbs (South Portland, Maine), Theo Zacharia (Manhasset, N.Y.), and Kenny Carlisle (South Portland, Maine) add more depth along with sophomore Ezra Pate (Baton Rouge, La.), who missed his rookie season due to injury.

Weather permitting, the Bobcats have their home opener scheduled for Sunday, March 8 at noon when they'll host Brandeis at Leahey Field. The first year with the new field turf in the infield allowed Bates to play four home games in March last season.

"We want to play every game with focus, intensity, and a level of execution our opponents can't match," Martin says. "I can't wait for the season to start!"