Saginaw Valley Fall Report: Power in the Box and Velocity on the Bump

The Saginaw Valley State Cardinals have entered a period of sustained success under Head Coach Adam Piotrowicz, who has amassed a 98-64 record through his first four seasons. After setting a program record with 41 wins and capturing a GLIAC regular-season title in 2024, the Cardinals followed up with a 30-22 campaign in 2025. It marks the first time since 2008 that the program has secured back-to-back 30-win seasons. The 2025 journey was defined by high-scoring stretches, including a dominant late-March run where they swept William Jewell while scoring 47 runs across three games. Though they finished 5th in the GLIAC standings, the Cardinals secured yet another GLIAC Tournament appearance, cementing their status as a perennial contender in the Midwest. As they transition into 2026, Piotrowicz returns a staggering 89.6% of his offensive production and 58.5% of his pitching innings, providing a veteran foundation for another postseason push.

Veteran Bats and Rising Power

The offensive identity of Saginaw Valley revolves around Lucas Mead, a First Team All-GLIAC and Second Team All-Midwest Region outfielder who stands as arguably the best all-around athlete in the region. In 181 ABs, Mead hit .420 with 10 doubles and 45 RBI, while his disciplined approach earned him a .513 OBP and an elite 1.121 OPS. His 76 hits and incredible speed—evidenced by 10 stolen bases—make him a nightmare for opposing pitchers.

Joining him in the heart of the order is 1B Ryan Jarvis, an Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection and All-Region Gold Glove winner. In 188 ABs, Jarvis hit .330 with 16 doubles and 33 RBI, providing veteran leadership and a steady glove at the cold corner.

The infield is further anchored by 3B Austin Cicerone, the most experienced returning position player on the roster. In 179 ABs, Cicerone hit .313 with 9 doubles and 35 RBI, continuing his reputation as a clutch performer. Outfielder Ethan Scheib adds another layer of athleticism; in 154 ABs, he hit .318 with 5 doubles and 14 RBI, while leading the team with 18 stolen bases. While the returning core is deep, the arrival of Jacob Pitt, a transfer from Grand Rapids CC, could provide the ultimate X-factor. Pitt missed last season due to injury but has already flashed his potential to be the top power bat in the conference during fall camp. Adding depth to the lineup are Grant Richardson, who hit .345 in 84 ABs, and Zane Wilson, who posted a .298 average in 47 ABs and has impressed the coaching staff with his development.

Firepower on the Mound

The pitching staff, led by coach Justin McMurtrey, has broken the program strikeout record in three consecutive seasons. Heading into 2026, the rotation is spearheaded by senior lefty Jack Decker, a Second Team All-GLIAC ace. Decker posted a 9-3 record with a 3.58 ERA in 73 IP, recording 70 strikeouts against just 22 walks. His 3.18 K/BB ratio and crafty approach make him a reliable Friday night option.

Complementing him is the workhorse Chase Raymond, who moves to a pitcher-only role this fall. In 57.0 IP, Raymond went 4-4 with a 6.16 ERA, but his physical 6'4" frame and a fastball that touched 91 mph this fall suggest a significant jump is coming.

Sophomore Brady Baalaer is another intriguing arm who earned weekend starts as a freshman. Though he struggled to an 0-3 record and 4.26 ERA in 38.0 IP, his velocity has climbed to 93 mph this fall with an improved slider/changeup combination.

The bullpen will see a major boost from Nathan Masar, a draft-interest arm who posted a 3-2 record with a 5.09 ERA in 35.1 IP. Masar utilized a 40.1% strikeout rate to fanning 61 batters, making him one of the most dominant relief options in the Midwest. Two-way talent Jordan Lewis also factor into the late-inning plans; while hitting .276 at the plate, he went 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in 8.2 IP, touching 95 mph with his fastball.

Notable Departures

The Cardinals must replace two significant arms in JJ Arbini and Jake Shelagowski. Arbini was an ABCA Second Team All-Midwest Region selection who posted a 7-3 record and a stellar 2.10 ERA in 64.1 IP. Shelagowski, also an All-Midwest Region performer, was a force out of the bullpen with 11 saves and a 3.78 ERA before being drafted in the 13th round by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Despite these losses, the 2026 outlook remains bright with a schedule that will test them against regional heavyweights. Saginaw Valley will face familiar foes like Davenport, the defending GLIAC champions who won 42 games last season. They also keep an eye on Grand Valley State, a 43-win program and Midwest Regional host that proved to be a difficult matchup in 2025. With new arms like Jack Sequin and Sam Briggs, both of whom arrive with high-school accolades and fastballs in the low 90s, the Cardinals believe this could be their best pitching staff yet.

2026 Schedule

the 2026 schedule is designed to test this veteran group early. The Cardinals open the season Feb 13-14 in Xenia, Ohio, facing Cedarville, a team they swept in four games last year, and Lewis University, which is coming off a massive 37-18 season and won a GLVC Regular Season Title. A high-profile trip to Maryville follows from Feb 27 to March 1, offering a rematch against a Saints squad that took two of three from the Cardinals in 2025. The non-conference slate is highlighted by the Russmatt Invitational in Florida (Mar 4-7), featuring matchups against regional powers like Minnesota State (51-8 in 2025) and Ashland (37-19).

Conference play begins with a road trip to Purdue Northwest (Mar 20-22), before a heavy home slate in April. The Cardinals will host Parkside for their home conference opener (Mar 27-29) and later welcome the two regional hosts Davenport (Apr 2-4) and Grand Valley State (Apr 17-19) to the SVSU Baseball Complex. Davenport (42-15) and Grand Valley (43-14) represent the gold standard of the GLIAC, and these April matchups will likely determine the Cardinals' trajectory for the postseason.