UMSL Fall Report: Building a New Standard

Coming off a season that saw them reach the GLVC Tournament Semifinals and secure back-to-back 29+ win seasons for the first time since 2004, the Missouri-St. Louis Tritons are entering 2026 with high energy. The 2025 campaign was a banner year for the program, marking the first time since 2016 that the Tritons posted back-to-back winning seasons, finishing 29-22 overall.

To replicate that success in 2026, UMSL will have to navigate the departure of key production. The Tritons lose 2nd-Team All-GLVC third baseman Andrew Buescher, who hit .325 with a .902 OPS and 43 RBI last season. Also departing is Honorable Mention All-GLVC selection Braedon Stoakes, a dynamic threat who slashed .370/.448/.540 and swiped 35 bases, ranking 3rd in the conference in steals. Other key losses include Barrett Rose, who hit .316 with 21 doubles in 174 at-bats, and starting pitcher Zach Haygood, who logged a team-high 79 innings with a 4-1 record. The bullpen also sees the exit of Cody Brooks, who posted a 4.15 ERA and collected two saves.

Despite these departures, Head Coach Scott Eul, entering his fourth season with an 80-75 record at UMSL, is optimistic about the culture developing in St. Louis.

"This fall was our most competitive group. This being my 4th year here, this has been the most energetic team on a daily basis," Eul said. "The cohesion of this group and camaraderie is the best it has been since I got here.".

The Offense

The Tritons return significant firepower to the lineup, led by senior Mitch Bonczkowski. A versatile 1B/OF, Bonczkowski was an offensive force in 2025, hitting .357 in 129 at-bats with a blistering 1.145 OPS that ranked 7th in the GLVC. He also slugged .705 with 9 home runs and 32 RBI.

Joining him is senior utility man Cade Grevengoed, who brings a blend of power and speed. In 169 at-bats last season, Grevengoed hit .337 with 7 home runs and 46 RBI. He also terrorized opponents on the basepaths with 21 stolen bases, ranking 9th in the conference.

To bolster the lineup, UMSL has added impact newcomers, starting with freshman shortstop Justin Terhaar. A product of Father McGivney Catholic High School, Terhaar led his team to a state runner-up finish with a .513 batting average his senior year. The team named him Fall MVP, and he is projected to be a top-of-the-lineup bat competing for the starting job.

The Tritons also tapped the transfer portal, bringing in junior outfielder Owen Faith from Sierra College (Calif.). Faith hit .308 with 11 doubles last season and is projected to slot into the middle of the lineup.

"We have a bunch of guys willing to do the small things to win games," Eul noted regarding the offense.

The Pitching Staff

On the mound, UMSL returns a strong core anchored by Honorable Mention All-GLVC right-hander Bryce Nicolay. The redshirt sophomore went 4-4 with a 4.19 ERA in 58 innings pitched, striking out 52 batters.

He is joined by junior right-hander Dustin Hagens, who provides electric stuff in the rotation. Hagens struck out 84 batters in 56 innings last season, boasting a 31.1% strikeout rate that ranked 2nd in the GLVC.

The staff gets a major boost from two high-level transfers. Graduate student Eli Cartwright arrives from Division I Eastern Illinois, where he made 37 appearances over two seasons. The left-hander, who was named the team's Fall Cy Young, is projected to join the rotation.

Another exciting addition is junior left-hander Will O'Gorman, a transfer from Division I Stetson. Standing 6-foot-7, O'Gorman previously dominated at Parkland College, going 12-1 with a 3.91 ERA in 103.1 innings. He offers rotation potential or could serve as a high-leverage bullpen arm.

"On the mound we have some electric stuff. If we can continue to command the strike zone, our staff will be one of the best," Eul said.

Schedule Analysis

The 2025 season was a rollercoaster that proved the Tritons' resilience. After a hot 3-0 start sweeping the opening weekend in Oklahoma, UMSL hit a skid, dropping four straight to Alabama Huntsville. The team found its rhythm in March and April, including a massive offensive explosion against Upper Iowa where they scored 37 runs in a doubleheader sweep. Despite a tough stretch against Lewis and Rockhurst, they rallied to finish strong, culminating in a GLVC Tournament run that nearly saw them make the championship game that included beating top-seeded Lewis and super regional team UIndy.

Looking ahead to 2026, the schedule presents early tests. The Tritons open the season on February 5th in Edmond, Oklahoma facing off two regional teams in both Pittsburg State and Central Oklahoma in the first three games of the campaign.

Conference play features critical matchups against perennial contenders. UMSL will face Illinois Springfield in late February and travel to Indianapolis (UIndy) in mid-April, both series likely to have major postseason implications. The regular season concludes with a series against Maryville in May.

With a energized roster and a mix of proven veterans and talented newcomers, the Tritons are poised to not just replicate last year's success, but surpass it.

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