Parkside Fall Report: Looking to Capitalize on Best Season in Decades

Under the lights of Historic Simmons Field—a venue echoing with the legacy of the AAGPBL’s Kenosha Comets and MLB legends like Satchel Paige—the Wisconsin-Parkside baseball program is writing a new chapter of its own history. The Rangers are fresh off a landmark 2025 campaign where they finished 30-21, including starting off 13-1 (best in program history), marking the program’s first 30-win season since 2005 and the most victories since joining the GLIAC in 2019.

Head Coach Zac Charbonneau has orchestrated a steady climb in Kenosha, improving the team’s win total from 13 in 2023 to 21 in 2024, and finally breaking the 30-win threshold this past spring. This upward trajectory earned Charbonneau a contract extension through 2028, solidifying the leadership of a dugout that has instilled a winning culture in Southeast Wisconsin. While the Rangers graduated impactful talent, the return of nearly 60% of their total production suggests the program is reloading rather than rebuilding.

The Offense

The Rangers’ lineup retains a dangerous core, bringing back 67.5% of their offensive production from a year ago. Leading the charge is senior outfielder and first baseman Dylan Sayles, an Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection who provides a steady presence in the heart of the order. Sayles was a force at the plate in 2025, hitting .339 in 186 at-bats while launching 8 home runs and driving in 39 runs. His OPS of .936 ranked him among the conference’s elite threats.

He is joined by Angel Rades, a redshirt senior outfielder who combines patience with pop. Rades posted a .353 average and an impressive .485 on-base percentage in 102 at-bats last season. His disciplined approach resulted in a .965 OPS, making him a difficult out for opposing pitchers. Sophomore shortstop Josh Wicker also returns to anchor the infield defense after a debut season where he hit .340 with 8 doubles and 24 RBI in 144 at-bats, proving he can handle the rigors of everyday play in the GLIAC.

A significant boost to the lineup arrives via the transfer portal in senior Joe Mrowiec. A transfer from NAIA powerhouse Georgia Gwinnett, Mrowiec is a toolsy athlete with a high ceiling. In limited action last spring, he batted .304 and showcased his speed with 11 stolen bases in just 23 at-bats, adding a dynamic power-speed element that Charbonneau hopes will lengthen the lineup.

The future looks bright with the arrival of highly touted freshmen like Ryne Dzierzynski and Hayden Dieschbourg. Dzierzynski, a shortstop from Grant Community HS, was rated the 17th best shortstop in Illinois by Perfect Game. Dieschbourg, an outfielder from Cary-Grove HS, entered college as a Top-100 player in Illinois, bringing a pedigree of success from the same high school that produced MLB pitcher Quinn Priester.

The Pitching Staff

The pitching staff faces the task of replacing significant innings, returning just 44.2% of their workload from 2025. However, the Rangers have reinforced the rotation with a major addition in junior right-hander Leo Berger. A transfer from Division I Illinois State, Berger is a familiar face to the team; he was the 2024 GLIAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year before his stint at the D1 level. During that dominant 2024 campaign, he went 3-0 with a glistening 1.61 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 28 innings, giving Parkside a proven arm to stabilize the staff.

Two-way talent Carter Storti will be pivotal on the mound as well as the hot corner. In 2025, Storti showcased his versatility by not only hitting .303 but also serving as a key arm, posting a 3-1 record with a 4.09 ERA across 22 innings. His strikeout prowess was evident, fanning 24 batters while issuing just 2 walks, good for a stellar 12.0 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Freshman left-hander Joe Suokko adds depth to the staff. A local product from Westosha Central, Suokko was ranked the 79th best player in Wisconsin by Perfect Game and offers a high-upside arm from the left side.

Key Departures

The Rangers must overcome the loss of substantial production, most notably Peter Fusek and Owen Brock. Fusek, a two-way star, was named First Team All-Midwest Region and First Team All-GLIAC after a monster season where he hit .426 with an OPS of 1.103 and swiped 35 bases. Brock, a batterymate behind the plate, was equally potent, earning Second Team All-Region and First Team All-GLIAC honors with a .401 average and 38 RBI.

On the mound, the departure of Sam Mommer is a significant blow. The 2025 GLIAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year, who posted a 5.12 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 63.1 innings, transferred to Division I Illinois. Left-hander Noah Gerritson, an Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection who struck out 55 batters in 55 innings, also departs, leaving innings to be claimed by the new look staff.

Schedule & Outlook

The 2026 campaign begins with a challenging road trip to the Sunshine State, where Parkside opens the season on February 13 with a four-game series against Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, FL. Saint Leo is coming off a 21-29 season but remains a competitive test from the Sunshine State Conference.

The Rangers continue their road warrior mentality through February and early March, visiting Truman State (Feb 20-22) and Lincoln University of Missouri (Feb 27-Mar 1), followed by a trip to Upper Iowa (Mar 6-8). Truman State struggled to a 12-35 record last year, offering Parkside a chance to build early momentum.

Home fans will get their first look at the 2026 squad on March 20, when Wayne State visits Simmons Field for a four-game set to open GLIAC play. This series is a crucial early measuring stick; Wayne State finished 27-28 last year and narrowly missed a GLIAC Tournament title appearance.

April features a gauntlet of conference heavyweights. Parkside hosts University of Indianapolis (April 3-4), a team that went 34-24 and hosted a Midwest Super Regional in 2025. Later in the month, they travel to face perennial powerhouse Grand Valley State (April 30-May 2). Grand Valley State is a regional juggernaut, having posted a 43-14 record and hosted the Midwest Regional last season.

The regular season wraps up in early May, leading into the GLIAC Tournament starting May 7 in Utica, MI. With a blend of veteran hitters and talented newcomers on the mound, Parkside is poised to prove their 30-win breakout was no fluke, aiming to climb the GLIAC ladder and return to the postseason stage. 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