2025 PSAC Baseball Championship Preview

Will Conerly
May 5
4 min read

May 7–10 | Cooper Park – Millersville University

Eight teams enter. One walks away with the crown—and this year, all roads lead through Millersville.

For the first time ever, the entire PSAC Baseball Championship will be hosted at Cooper Park, the home of a Millersville team ranks No. 6 nationally and No. 1 in the NCAA Atlantic Region. But if PSAC history has taught us anything, it’s that seeding and records mean little once the lights come on.

Just ask West Chester, the reigning champs. Or Seton Hill, which has won three titles since 2017. Or the fact that only five No. 1 seeds have won this tournament since 2000. Every coach in the field except one owns a PSAC title. It’s a tournament defined by experience, chaos, and clutch.

Here’s your full breakdown of the field, format, and what to watch as the 2025 PSAC Baseball Championship gets underway.

📍 Host Site: Millersville University – Cooper Park

Millersville went 23-2 at home this season and hasn't lost back-to-back home postseason games under Jon Shehan. Their last home run through the Atlantic Regional? 5-0 sweep.

But they’ve also lost back-to-back first-round PSAC games the last two years—both to IUP. This year’s group, loaded with veterans, looks ready to flip the script.

🧱 TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE

Day 1 (May 7): Four single-elimination games
May 8–10: Final four teams battle in a true double-elimination format
May 11: If necessary game due to weather

🟡 Tickets: Hudl Tickets | 💻 Stream: PSAC Sports Digital Network

🧨 Opening Round Matchups (May 7)

⚔️ (E2) East Stroudsburg vs. (W3) IUP | 9:30 AM

A clash of PSAC veterans. ESU’s deep rotation and postseason experience will be tested by IUP slugger Payton Conte (back-to-back PSAC West Athlete of the Year). The Warriors need to contain Ryan Callahan and Elijah Dunn, or it could get loud early.

⚔️ (W1) Seton Hill vs. (E4) Shippensburg | 1:00 PM

Two-time champs since 2017 vs. a team with the Pitcher of the Year in Jaxon Dalena (94 Ks, .210 BAA). SHU’s Ian Korn (1.42 ERA) is the best arm in the West. The Griffins also boast Brady McGuire, the league’s best freshman (.352, 15 2B, 23 SB).

⚔️ (W2) California vs. (E3) West Chester | 4:30 PM

It’s a heavyweight battle. Cal leads the league in batting average (.328) and features PSAC West Coach of the Year Mike Conte and two-way terror Payton Conte (.372 BA, 44 RBI). But West Chester is the defending champ and has Freshman of the Year Caleb Strawhecker and a battle-tested lineup.

⚔️ (E1) Millersville vs. (W4) Slippery Rock | 8:00 PM

Millersville enters red-hot (14 of last 15 wins) and has .446 OBP as a team. Jeff Sabater (.505 OBP, 34 SB) and Matthew Williams (13 HR, 52 RBI) anchor an explosive offense. But The Rock has pitching. Their 3.94 team ERA is second in the PSAC, and Gage Gillott (.361 BA, 3.16 ERA) might be the best two-way player in the tournament.

🔍 Key Players to Watch

🌟 Millersville Marauders

Matthew Williams: School’s all-time HR leader, 52 RBI (3rd in PSAC)
Bren Taylor: PSAC career leader in hits, runs, and total bases
Connor Blantz, Conor Cook, Garet Blankenbiller: Combined 27-4 as weekend starters
Team Stats: PSAC-best OBP (.446), 10+ runs in 6 of last 8 games

🌟 Seton Hill Griffins

Ian Korn: 1.42 ERA, .187 BAA, 10 wins
Brady McGuire: .352 AVG, 15 2B, 23 SB
Jon McCullough: Veteran starter with postseason pedigree

🌟 Shippensburg Raiders

Jaxon Dalena: 94 Ks, 77 IP, Pitcher of the Year
Gio Calamia: Senior OF, First-Team All-PSAC
Caden Parker: Lockdown reliever (1st-Team RP)

🌟 California Vulcans

Payton Conte: Repeat Athlete of the Year, .372/.462/.540
Michael Valente: Reliable SP, part of the top West rotation
Jake Kramer: Relief ace, First-Team honoree

🌟 East Stroudsburg Warriors

Ethan Woods (SP) and Dennis Pierce (OF) headline a deep, balanced squad
Led the East in all-conference honorees (8)

🌟 West Chester Golden Rams

Caleb Strawhecker: Freshman of the Year (.324, 5 HR, 30 RBI)
Sean Szestowicki: Grad 2B, .400+ OBP
Kyle Lazer: Key SP (2nd-Team)

🌟 IUP Crimson Hawks

Elijah Dunn and Jakob Haynes power a lineup built for slugging
Davin Landers: All-conference catcher, team leader

🌟 Slippery Rock

Gage Gillott: .361 BA, 3.16 ERA
Nate Malak: 3.26 ERA, 4 CGs
Team Strength: 2nd-best team ERA (3.94), dominant bullpen (16 saves)

🧠 Final Thoughts

Millersville looks like a machine—but the PSAC doesn’t hand out trophies for paper résumés. Every team in this bracket can win a game. Most can win three. And with seven of the eight coaches already PSAC champions, the margin for error is razor-thin.

Whether it’s Millersville’s homefield edge, Seton Hill’s pitching, or West Chester’s repeat bid, this year’s PSAC Tournament is primed to deliver drama. Let’s play ball.