Arkansas Tech Fall Report: Proven Winners Ready for Regional Breakthrough
- Robert Frey
- 2 minutes ago
- 4 min read
In collegiate baseball, how you start matters less than how you finish, and few programs embodied that maxim in 2025 better than Arkansas Tech. The Wonder Boys stumbled out of the gate with a 1-6 record and sat at a precarious 8-14 mid-spring, leaving their postseason aspirations in doubt. However, a nine-game winning streak ignited a furious turnaround that saw the team capture back-to-back Great American Conference (GAC) Regular Season titles.
Head Coach Dave Dawson, now entering his 17th season, orchestrated this resurgence, culminating in a 32-23 overall record and a dominant 23-9 mark in conference play. The campaign marked the program's third straight 30-win season and third consecutive NCAA Regional appearance. For his efforts in righting the ship, Dawson earned GAC Coach of the Year honors (2nd time winning the award). Now, with a roster that returns 44.4% of its total production and a wealth of experienced talent, Arkansas Tech looks to translate that regular-season consistency into a deeper postseason run in 2026.
The Offense
The Wonder Boys' lineup retains significant firepower, returning 40.4% of its offensive production from a squad that proved capable of carrying the team through its toughest stretches. The offense is anchored by a pair of seniors who were among the conference's most feared hitters.
Leading the charge is shortstop Cole Dawson, son of Head Coach Dave Dawson, whose 2025 campaign was nothing short of electric. In 213 at-bats, the senior hit .390 with 8 doubles and 36 RBI, blending elite contact skills with speed on the basepaths. His production earned him First Team All-GAC honors and Second Team All-Central Region recognition. Perhaps just as valuable is his glove work, which secured him a spot on the GAC All-Defensive Team.
Flanking him is senior Tyler Sardelli, another First Team All-GAC selection who provides thump in the middle of the order. Sardelli was a force at the plate, and in 205 at-bats hit .380 with 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 48 RBI. His ability to drive the ball is complemented by outfielder Kirby Jenkins, a graduate student who brings veteran savvy and power. Jenkins finished the season with a .319 average in 160 at-bats, tallying 14 doubles and 8 home runs along with 51 RBI.
The lineup will be bolstered by newcomers looking to make an immediate impact. Redshirt senior outfielder Braden Watkins transfers in from Adams State, where he showed serious pop, hitting .330 with 7 doubles and 7 home runs in just 97 at-bats. Junior catcher Tommy Caya, a transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, offers plate discipline and contact skills; he hit .329 and walked 30 times against just 6 strikeouts in 186 plate appearances at the JUCO level. Sophomore outfielder Zach Burrow also looks to be an impact bat, who transferred from Lubbock Christian (redshirted).
The Pitching Staff
While the offense is potent, the pitching staff appears poised to take a significant leap forward, returning 51.1% of its innings from last year. Coach Dawson notes that pitching depth should be "a lot better this season," a critical factor for navigating the grueling GAC slate.
The staff is headlined by senior right-hander Daniel Hutchison, a Second Team All-GAC selection who proved to be a workhorse. Hutchison posted a 9-2 record with a 4.95 ERA in 80 IP, demonstrating the ability to miss bats with 75 strikeouts. Joining him is senior righty Ashton Greenlee, who logged significant innings, finishing with a 3-1 record and a 4.79 ERA in 41.1 IP.
Reinforcements have arrived via the transfer portal to shore up the rotation and bullpen. Junior right-hander Eric Woodley joins from Niagara County CC, where he led his staff to a World Series appearance with an impressive 8-0 record and a 1.78 ERA over 50.2 innings. Another key addition is junior righty John Witt from Paradise Valley CC, who posted a 5-3 record with superb control, allowing just 10 walks in 52.1 innings.
Key Departures
Despite the strong returning core, the Wonder Boys must replace the production of outfielder Sawyer Duddleston. A fixture in the lineup and an Honorable Mention All-GAC selection, Duddleston hit .316 with 7 home runs and led the team with 55 RBI in 2025. Catcher Christian Olea, who provided stability behind the dish and hit .373, also departs, leaving a leadership void that the new transfers will need to help fill.
Schedule & Outlook
The 2026 schedule is designed to test the Wonder Boys early and often. Coach Dawson believes the "tough schedule to start will get us prepared for a very good conference," and the slate reflects that philosophy. Arkansas Tech opens the season on January 30 in Houston at the Winter Invitational against perennial regional team Ashland, followed by matchups with Rollins and Alabama-Huntsville.
A critical early-season litmus test awaits in February when the team travels to Warrensburg for a four-game set against regional powerhouse and national runner-up Central Missouri. The GAC grind begins in earnest shortly after, with key series against Arkansas-Monticello in early March (March 6-7) and Harding (April 24-25) to end the regular season.
With a proven coaching staff, a lineup led by two .380+ hitters, and a deepened pitching staff, Arkansas Tech is well-positioned to defend their GAC title. The pieces are in place for the Wonder Boys to not just make a fourth straight regional, but to push deeper into the postseason.
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