Augustana Fall Report: The Pursuit of a Regional Return

The standard for Augustana (SD) baseball has long been set at a level most programs only dream of, yet the conclusion of the 2025 campaign left a bitter taste in Sioux Falls. Despite a stellar 39-16 record and a second-place finish in the NSIC, the Augustana Vikings found themselves on the outside looking in on selection Sunday, missing a regional appearance for the first time since 2017. For Head Coach Tim Huber, who enters his 18th season at the helm with a remarkable .692 winning percentage, the 2025 season was a testament to consistency, marking the 12th straight full season of winning at least 35 games, but the "snub" has clearly fueled the fire for 2026. While the program enters a transitional phase after losing significant veteran production, the culture of winning remains the foundation of a team eager to return to the NCAA postseason.

The Offense

Replacing the offensive production of the 2025 squad will be a tall order, as the Augustana returns just 53% of their plate appearances. The departure of Jack Hines, who ranked 1st in the NSIC and 6th nationally in batting average, leaves a massive void in the heart of the order. However, Kobe Eikmeier is poised to take the next step as a primary catalyst. In 121 ABs hit .314 with 5 doubles and 21 RBI, showing a knack for making contact. Another bat that will be a part of the middle of the order is outfielder Carter Heinsch, who slashed .364/.459/.527 last season. Four guys who are expected to have big seniors seasons are Troy Berg (.327, 12 doubles, 37 RBI, 21 SBs, 5% strikeout rate), Ragan Pinnow (.324, 9 doubles), Ryan Clementi (.302, 8 doubles, 10 SBs, 7% strikeout rate), and Joshua Koskie (.325/.437/.517).

To bolster this group, Coach Tim Huber has brought in Brandon Weigel, a junior college transfer from Ellsworth CC who provides an immediate power threat after slashing .339/.496/.566 last season. Additionally, freshman Connor O'Neill enters the mix after a dominant high school career at Omaha North HS, where he hit .423 and is expected to see time on the mound as well.

The Pitching Staff

While the offense finds its new identity, the pitching staff will be the backbone of the 2026 Vikings. The rotation features one of the most formidable duos in the region, led by Ashton Michek. The left-hander was a workhorse last season, posting a 6-2 record with a 3.80 ERA in 66.1 IP. His ability to command the zone is evident in his 66 strikeouts to just 22 walks, a K/BB ratio that keeps the Vikings in every game he starts. Following him is Mariano Gomez, who provides a high-upside secondary option. Mariano Gomez only threw in 4 games prior to injury, but was electric with a 2.45 ERA over 22 innings and a 37.1% strikeout rate.

The bullpen will see a mix of returning experience and new faces, including Adam Dietrich, who led the country in saves in 2023 before being sidelined the last two seasons due to injury. Another guy looking to take a step up is RHP Joel Van De Stroet, who threw 16 innings last season and has been up to 97 in the fall. A key newcomer to watch on the mound is Braxton Kusler, a transfer from Northern State who struck out 43 batters in 39 innings last season and brings a veteran left-handed presence to the staff.

Notable Departures

The transition to 2026 is necessitated by the loss of several program icons who helped define the last few years of Augustana's success. Jack Hines departs as a D2 Baseball Second Team All-American and the NSIC batting champion, ending his career as one of the most feared hitters in the country.

Trevor Winterstein, an ABCA Second Team All-Central Region selection, takes his 28 stolen bases and elite outfield defense to the professional ranks. Perhaps the most significant hit comes to the pitching depth, as the Vikings saw two junior arms depart for MLB organizations. Ethan Cole, who held a 4-6 record with a 3.68 ERA in 63.2 IP, was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 20th round, while JD Hennen signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Orioles after going 7-2 with a 4.29 ERA. These losses represent the high ceiling of the program but leave a significant gap in terms of veteran leadership and weekend stability.

Schedule & Outlook

The road back to the postseason begins on February 13, 2026, when the Vikings travel to face Bemidji State in a neutral site location. On February 27, the Augustana heads to Mesa, Colorado, for a four-game set against Colorado Mesa. The Colorado Mesa Mavericks are coming off a 42-14 season where they were crowned RMAC Champions, representing one of the toughest non-conference tests on the schedule. Another opportunity to bolster their resume is a March 10th midweek matchup against Grand Valley State, a team that hosted a regional and won 42 games last season. As the calendar turns to April, the Vikings will face a grueling stretch, including a series against Minnesota State (April 15-16), the team that knocked out Augustana in the NSIC Tournament Championship game who finished 51-8. They will also host St. Cloud State in mid-March, a team that earned an NSIC Tournament appearance last year.

If Augustana can navigate this schedule and leverage their elite starting pitching, they are well-positioned to ensure that their name is called when the regional brackets are released this time around. If you value this in-depth, non-paywalled coverage of D2 Baseball, please consider supporting our independent reporting efforts. Your contribution helps us continue providing free access to all our articles without relying on restrictive paywalls. To support our work, please visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/diviibaseball