Central Oklahoma Fall Report: Transitioning the Torch at Wendell Simmons Field

The 2025 season was a historic one for the Central Oklahoma Bronchos, marked by a thrilling run that saw the program capture its first MIAA Tournament Championship since joining the league in 2013. Finishing with a 36-17 overall record and a 23-13 mark in conference play, the Bronchos secured a fourth-place finish in the MIAA standings before catching fire in the postseason by winning the MIAA Tournament. Their campaign culminated in a second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Central Regional, underscoring the program’s consistent presence on the national stage with five regional bids in the last decade.

However, the 2026 season brings a significant sea change to Edmond. The Bronchos are turning the page on the John Martin era, as the winningest head coach in Division II program history by winning percentage (.636) departed after a decade of excellence. Stepping into the spotlight is Robbie Rea, who begins his first season at the helm after serving as an assistant with the program for the last three years. Robbie Rea inherits a squad that is in the midst of a massive identity shift, particularly on the offensive side where the team returns just 5.4% of its plate appearances from a year ago. Despite the turnover and a fall season described as having its share of turmoil, the Bronchos remain resilient, leaning on a versatile pitching staff and a crop of highly-touted newcomers as they prepare to host the 2026 MIAA Tournament at Wendell Simmons Field.

The Offense

With nearly the entire starting lineup departing, the Central Oklahoma offense will look vastly different in 2026. The lone returning veteran with significant experience is Drake Lee, a senior who provides critical flexibility with his ability to play both catcher and first base. In 83 ABs last season, Drake Lee hit .193 with 7 doubles and 1 home run, and he will be counted on as a stabilizing leader for a group of new faces.

The influx of talent from the transfer portal will define this unit. Solo Skalnik, a junior transfer from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, arrives with massive expectations after being named a Third Team All-American. Solo Skalnik is a physical presence who slashed .415/.516/.830 with 20 doubles, 14 HR, and 61 RBI last season, offering the Bronchos a legitimate power threat in the outfield. Joining him at the top of the order is Kade Sheldon, a junior from Cowley CC who slashed .373/.484/.529 with 19 doubles and 69 RBI over his junior college career. Sheldon is described as a high-motor centerfielder who can jumpstart the offense from the lead-off spot.

The middle of the order will likely feature Cade Mills, a junior transfer from Seminole State College who is expected to provide a consistent run-producing bat. On the dirt, the Bronchos have added defensive polish and Division I experience in Caleb Castle and Elijah Alexander. Caleb Castle, a transfer from Lamar University, is expected to be an everyday middle infielder with a professional-grade defensive skill set. Meanwhile, Elijah Alexander, arriving from Oklahoma State, brings a middle-infield profile with the ability to hit for significant power. This "scrap" style offense will rely heavily on execution and moving runners to support a pitching-heavy roster.

The Pitching Staff

While the offense is rebuilding, the pitching staff offers much more continuity, returning 53.9% of its innings from 2025. Leading the rotation is junior right-hander Danny Satterlee, who returns as a primary weekend arm after posting a 5.15 ERA in 57.2 IP last season. The staff’s versatility is its greatest strength, with seniors Tristan Wittau and Michael Lopez both capable of filling multiple roles. Tristan Wittau, a left-hander, was effective in 2025 with a 3.05 ERA in 20.2 IP, while Michael Lopez looks to bounce back and leverage his senior experience in high-leverage spots.

The backend of the bullpen will be anchored by sophomore Brody Berlowitz, who was dominant in limited action last year, pitching to a 0.96 ERA in 18.2 IP. The newcomer to watch is Braxton Jones, a sophomore transfer from Northeastern State.

Braxton Jones flashed frontline potential last season, racking up 75 Ks in 75.2 IP, and he is expected to immediately step into a weekend starter role. Another high-impact addition is Bron Farr, a junior from JUCO Dallas-Richland. Bron Farr earned Third Team All-American honors after going 8-3 with a 2.77 ERA over 107.1 innings, providing Robbie Rea with a proven workhorse to bolster the rotation.

Key Departures

The Bronchos must replace several pillars of the program who were instrumental in the 2025 championship run. Caden Robertson departs as one of the most decorated players in recent history, having earned MIAA Co-Player of the Year and D2 Baseball First Team All-American honors. His presence in the lineup will be missed after he hit .358 in 212 ABs with 20 doubles and 23 HR, ranking 2nd in the conference in both home runs and RBI. Robertson will play 2026 for D1 Northern Illinois.

The pitching staff lost ace Dax Sharp, an ABCA Second Team All-Region and Second Team All-MIAA selection who posted a stellar 1.88 ERA in 62.1 IP. Other notable losses include All-MIAA selections Orlando Gonzalez (.359 BA, 19 SB), Brett Pense (4.76 ERA), Valek Cisneros (4.32 ERA, 12 SV), and Ty Chapman (.330 BA, 4 HR). The Bronchos also bid farewell to Ty Hammack, an All-MIAA Gold Glove winner who anchored the defense in the outfield.

Schedule & Outlook

The Robbie Rea era officially begins on February 3, 2026, with a road test against Oklahoma Baptist. The early season schedule is heavy on home matchups, as the Bronchos host East Central, Southeastern Oklahoma State, and Missouri-St. Louis in early February. Missouri-St. Louis will be a particularly motivated opponent, as the Tritons defeated UCO to open up last season.

As MIAA play intensifies, the Bronchos will face a gauntlet of regional heavyweights. Key series include a road trip to Pittsburg State (March 20-22), a team that reached the Central Super Regional last year with a 42-12 record. A late-season home stand against Central Missouri (April 24-26) looms large, as the Mules are the defending MIAA regular season champions and the national World Series runner-up. Hosting the MIAA Tournament at Wendell Simmons Field in May provides a significant incentive for this young squad to gel quickly. If the veteran-led pitching staff can keep games close while the "new-look" offense finds its rhythm, the Bronchos have the resilience to remain a factor in the Central Region title conversation. 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