Fort Hays State Fall Report: From MIAA Contenders to Regional Hopefuls

Under the guidance of Head Coach Justin Wichert, the Fort Hays State Tigers are coming off a campaign that redefined expectations in Hays, Kansas. The 2025 season was nothing short of a breakthrough, as the Tigers posted a 32-16 overall record and finished third in the MIAA with a 26-10 conference mark. It marked the program's first 30-plus win season since 2010 and set a new standard for winning percentage since joining the league in 2007.

Wichert, now entering his fourth season, earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors for orchestrating a turnaround that saw the Tigers secure back-to-back MIAA Tournament appearances for the first time in over a decade.The momentum from 2025 was highlighted by series victories over perennial powers like Super Regional Pittsburg State and a sweep of MIAA Tournament Champion Central Oklahoma. However, despite the accolades and the steady climb in win totals, from 20 in 2023 to 32 last spring, the Tigers narrowly missed the postseason cut, fueling a burning desire to crack their first regional bracket since 2006.

This group seems to be gritty, devoid of flash but heavy on toughness, a necessity for a team calling the wind-swept plains of Larks Park home. With a roster built to embrace the harsh elements, Fort Hays State is intent on proving that their ascent in the MIAA hierarchy is permanent.

The Offense

The Tigers return 30% of their offensive production from a year ago, anchoring the lineup with a core of experienced hitters who understand the rigors of the MIAA. Leading the charge is Tony Moore, a spark plug at the top of the order who earned Honorable Mention All-MIAA status last spring. Moore set the table effectively, and in 150 ABs hit .347 with 12 doubles, 5 HR, and 37 RBI, boasting a .432 on-base percentage that makes him a dangerous leadoff option once again.

Providing pop in the heart of the order is Derek Woolwine, a Second Team All-MIAA selection. Woolwine flourished as the designated hitter, and in 145 ABs hit .317 with 11 HR and 31 RBI, demonstrating a plus approach that should see him slotted near the top of the lineup. Marshalling the infield is shortstop Cooper Howell, who is a leader on defense. The scrappy defender was a reliable presence, and in 160 ABs hit .312 with 1 HR and 27 RBI, proving to be one of the most competitive players on the roster.

To bolster the lineup, the Tigers have tapped into the transfer portal and junior college ranks. Sean Amarante, a transfer from Dallas College-Richland, arrives with a JUCO All-American pedigree after slashing .352/.452/.643 with 14 home runs, projecting as a middle-of-the-order threat. Joining him is Antonio Avila, a Division I transfer from Nevada, who brings elite speed and a strong arm to the outfield. Another name to watch is Bret Deegan, a two-way talent from Amarillo College who flashed serious power, hitting .429 with 3 homers in limited at-bats last season, and could settle into the cleanup spot as well as pitch in the late innings.

The Pitching Staff

On the mound, Fort Hays State returns 32.5% of its innings, headlined by one of the conference's premier relief aces. Brandon Chavez is back after a stellar campaign that earned him First Team All-MIAA honors. Possessing quality stuff, Chavez was a weapon out of the bullpen and it the rotation, posting a 6-3 record with a 4.56 ERA in 51.1 IP while racking up 9 saves.

Looking to expand his role is Brett Jacobs, who emerged midway through 2025 as a reliable arm. Jacobs compiled a 3-1 record with a 5.30 ERA in 35.2 IP and will have the opportunity to transition into a starting role this spring. The staff also welcomes back veteran Kaleb Carpenter, a workhorse who ate up innings in a fireman role last year. Carpenter logged a 4-3 record with a 5.89 ERA in 47.1 IP, and with improved stuff, he is another candidate to crack the rotation.

The rotation will see an infusion of new talent to mitigate heavy losses. Tucker Russell, a lefty transfer from Wichita State, is fully healthy after an injury layoff and impressed during the fall, positioning himself as a potential weekend starter. Another southpaw, Cody Bruss, joins the fold from conference foe Central Missouri. Bruss, who went 5-0 with a 2.92 ERA in junior college in 2024, may be expected to throw significant innings.

Key Departures

The Tigers face the difficult task of replacing their entire weekend rotation, most notably Ty Riley. Riley was a dominant force, earning MIAA Co-Pitcher of the Year and First Team All-Region accolades after going 9-1 with a sparkling 3.11 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 92.2 innings. His elite performance, which included a top-3 conference ranking in ERA, led to his transfer to Division I Florida International.

Offensively, the lineup loses significant punch with the exits of Elliott Herrmann and Trey DeGarmo. Herrmann was a Second Team All-MIAA selection who provided thump in the middle of the order, hitting .305 with 11 HR and 35 RBI in 167 ABs. DeGarmo, also a Second Team All-MIAA pick, was a disciplined power threat who hit .328 with 13 HR and 55 RBI in 189 ABs.

Schedule & Outlook

Coach Wichert has intentionally beefed up the 2026 schedule to address strength-of-schedule metrics that hampered the Tigers' postseason resume last year. Fort Hays State will be tested immediately, opening the season on January 30 in Arkansas against Arkansas-Monticello, a team that won 33 games and reached the Central Regional in 2025. The non-conference gauntlet continues with matchups against Henderson State, another 32-win regional team, and Harding, the defending GAC Tournament Champions who won 41 games last spring.

The MIAA slate remains unforgiving. Fort Hays begins MIAA play against the team that ended their season in Northwest Missouri State. Then, the Tigers will have a late-March road trip to Central Oklahoma, the 2025 MIAA Tournament Champions. After that, FHSU will host Pittsburg State (42-12, Super Regional appearance) in early April and welcome the defending MIAA Regular Season Champions and World Series Runner-Up Central Missouri (48-14) to Larks Park shortly after that will likely carry heavy postseason implications.

With a high-energy freshman class and a gritty roster built for the long haul, Fort Hays State is not just looking to compete; they are hunting for that elusive regional bid. As Wichert bluntly puts it, "Hays, Kansas, isn't a place where soft people can play," and this 2026 squad appears ready to prove they have the fortitude to survive and thrive. 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