UTPB Fall Report: Building a Band of Brothers for 2026

Following a historic 2024 campaign that saw the program secure its best season since joining the Lone Star Conference and earn a regional appearance, the 2025 season served as a stark reminder of the league's unforgiving nature. Texas Permian-Basin (UTPB) finished with a 20-30 overall record and a 19-29 mark in conference play, landing in ninth place and just missing the postseason cut.

Now entering his second season at the helm, Head Coach Justin Phillips is looking to re-establish the program's trajectory by doubling down on culture. With a roster undergoing significant turnover, Phillips is emphasizing a "family atmosphere" and a "band of brothers" mentality, preaching unselfish baseball as the catalyst for a return to relevance. The challenge is quantifiable: the Falcons return just 24.8% of their total production from last spring, including a meager 12.7% of their offensive plate appearances. However, with a renewed focus on cohesion, the staff believes that if the team buys into this collective identity, they have a shot to be competitive in every game they play.

The Offense

The Falcons' lineup will look drastically different in 2026, as the coaching staff works to replace nearly 90% of last year's offensive output. The few familiar faces will be tasked with providing stability amidst the influx of new talent. Senior catcher Jarren Lewis returns behind the dish, looking to improve upon a 2025 season where he logged 90 at-bats and drove in 11 runs while managing the pitching staff. He is joined by junior outfielder Andrew Prado, who showed flashes of on-base potential last spring; in 101 at-bats, Prado posted a .267 average with two home runs, 21 RBIs, and a solid .409 on-base percentage. The roster also features redshirt freshman catcher Hudson Mitchell, who sat out last season and looks to carve out a role in his debut campaign.

To fill the void left by departures, the Falcons hit the transfer portal hard, securing experienced bats with proven track records. Junior infielder Gael Bernal arrives from New Mexico Highlands, where he was named Team Freshman of the Year and earned an RMAC Gold Glove in 2025. Bernal provides immediate defensive reliability up the middle, boasting a .986 fielding percentage, the best of any middle infielder in his previous conference, while also swinging a capable bat with a .305 average last season. He is joined by fellow New Mexico Highlands transfer Carlos Chavez, a junior catcher and third baseman who brings serious thump to the lineup. Chavez started 31 games at his previous stop, hitting .358 with six home runs, 32 RBIs, and a slugging percentage of .578 across 109 at-bats.

Another junior college addition, Braeden Dyck from SUNY Niagara, offers a dual-threat profile at first base and the outfield. During his sophomore year, Dyck batted .352 with 32 hits and 21 RBIs in 91 at-bats, while displaying flawless defense with a 1.000 fielding percentage in 78 chances. The recruiting class is rounded out by freshman outfielder Dailyn Jefcoats, a two-time First-Team All-District selection and his high school team's Offensive MVP, who adds athleticism and a winning pedigree as a former District Champion.

The Pitching Staff

While the offense undergoes a facelift, the pitching staff returns nearly half of its innings (44.6%) from 2025, providing a foundation of experience, albeit one that is looking for better results. The rotation will likely lean on a trio of sophomores who took their lumps as freshmen and are poised for growth. Right-hander Timmy LaChappa returns after making 12 starts last season, posting a 3-5 record with a 6.71 ERA over 61.2 innings of work while striking out 46 batters. He is complemented by fellow sophomore righty Damian Robles, who threw 51.1 innings across 12 appearances, finishing with a 1-5 record and a 7.36 ERA. Sebastian Lozoya also returns to the fold, having gained experience in eight appearances with two starts, though he will look to lower a 10.97 ERA amassed over 10.2 innings.

The staff is bolstered by incoming arms expecting to make immediate contributions. Junior right-hander Owen Forbes transfers in from Nunez Community College, where he helped set a school record in wins. Forbes brings durability and experience, having thrown 46.2 innings in 2024 with 42 strikeouts, despite a 7.33 ERA. Another key addition is junior right-hander Alex Thrasher from Galveston College. A standout student-athlete with a 4.0 GPA, Thrasher struck out 10 batters in 6.2 innings last spring and brings Division I experience to the roster, having previously pitched at Arkansas State in 2024.

Key Departures

UTPB will be without over two-thirds of their lineup from last season. Most notably, it's the loss of Carson Johnson, a Third Team All-LSC selection (the team's lone selection from last season) whose production will be difficult to replicate. Johnson was a force at the plate in 2025, leading the team's regulars with a .381 batting average and a robust 1.078 OPS. In 168 at-bats, he crushed five home runs and drove in a team-high 53 runs, leaving a significant power vacuum in the middle of the order that the newcomers must collectively work to fill.

Schedule & Outlook

The 2026 slate presents an immediate test for this new-look squad, beginning with a season-opening series at home against perennial powerhouse Angelo State on January 30. The early portion of the schedule is unforgiving, featuring road trips to Texas A&M International and St. Edward's in February, followed by a home stand against West Texas A&M starting February 27. March brings challenges against regional contenders, including a four-game set against the defending South Central Region Champion UT Tyler.

The Falcons will close the regular season with a crucial road series against Lubbock Christian in late April before the Lone Star Conference Tournament begins in May. With the memory of their 2024 regional run still fresh but fading, the goal for UTPB is clear: integrate the transfers quickly, stabilize the young pitching staff, and claw their way back into the top tier of the conference to secure a return to postseason play. 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