Wayne State (MI) Fall Report: Heartbreak to Hunger
- Robert Frey
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
The 2025 campaign was a testament for Wayne State. Coming off a school-record 42 wins in 2023 and nine straight winning seasons (not including the shortened 2020 season) going into 2025, the team faced adversity early. February and March proved difficult, highlighted by a challenging stretch where the team went 4-7 between February 24 and March 12, including tough losses to Ohio Dominican and Minnesota State.
However, the team found its rhythm as the weather warmed. A pivotal moment came in early April with a four-game sweep of Roosevelt (which included a crazy comeback and walk-off) and a midweek win at Findlay, where the Warriors scored 21 runs in that game.
Despite a rocky late-April series against Davenport where they dropped three of four, the Warriors finished the regular season strong with a run-rule win over Wisconsin-Parkside.
The true highlight was the GLIAC Tournament run. Entering as underdogs, Wayne State upset Saginaw Valley 7-6 and Grand Valley State 3-1 in extras, fighting their way to the championship game before falling to Davenport via a walk-off. This postseason push saved the season, securing a .500-adjacent record at 27-28 and proving the program's competitive pedigree remains intact.
Coach Ryan Kelley enters his 18th season having never posted a win percentage lower than .490. For 2026, he retains a significant portion of his roster, particularly on the mound with 85.2 percent of innings returning from 2025.
Key Losses
The Warriors must replace two impactful All-GLIAC performers:
Mason McGuire (SS/C): A 2nd-Team All-GLIAC selection who transitioned from shortstop to catcher. In 2025, he batted .341 with 9 doubles and 34 RBI.
Jacoby Dale (OF): Another 2nd-Team All-GLIAC departure. Dale hit .299 with 3 home runs and 30 RBI.
Key Returners on Offense
The lineup features experienced seniors and rising talent.
Bennett Hitzelberger (1B/DH/LHP): A senior and Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection described as a "prominent hitter in our conference". He hit .349 in 186 at-bats with 15 doubles and 33 RBI.
Caleb Sanders (OF): A Redshirt Junior and 2nd-Team All-GLIAC honoree who has shown increased power this fall. In 153 at-bats he hit .301 with 11 doubles and 29 RBI.
Tony Hatzigeorgiou (3B): The returning co-captain is a "genuine leader on and off the field". He hit .256 in 156 at-bats with 8 doubles and 22 RBI.
Additional Notes: Position players Drew Dawson, Ty Garza, Gabe Zeldes, and Brady Blakita had productive falls, while Rhett Roeser and Rocco Cardinale are trending well returning from injuries.
Key Returners on the Mound
Gabe Nazelli (RHP): A Grad Student and Co-Captain named 2nd-Team All-GLIAC. He went 5-5 with a 3.92 ERA in 57.1 IP.
Ethan Getting (RHP): An Honorable Mention All-GLIAC selection expected to be a "steady reliever" with his unique delivery. He finished 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 32 IP. Notably, his 33.3% strikeout percentage ranked 9th nationally and 3rd in the conference amongst relievers with 25 or more innings.
Will DeMasse (RHP): Now an upperclassman looking to make a jump. He posted a record of 4-4 with a 5.09 ERA in 58.1 IP last season
Key Newcomers
The 2026 recruiting class adds depth, particularly with transfers from the JUCO level.
Nick Sandiha Jr. (SS): A Junior transfer from Macomb Community College who hit .410 with 19 stolen bases in 2025. He showed "flashes of offensive success" during the fall.
Alfredo Velazquez (OF): A Junior transfer from the University of Michigan who pitched previously but will focus exclusively on the outfield at Wayne State.
Brayden Crowe (C): A Freshman from Hartland HS who was All-Conference and All-District en route to a state championship his senior season who has "high potential" both offensively and defensively.
Will Lowery (RHP): A Redshirt Junior transfer from Kalamazoo Valley CC where he threw over 93 innings in two seasons and had a "consistent fall with pitchability and intent".
Joel Mator (LHP): A Freshman from Trenton HS who posted a 0.64 ERA as a senior and "demonstrated the ability to get college hitters out this fall".
2026 Schedule Outlook
The 2026 slate presents early tests and critical regional matchups. The Warriors open the season on February 13 with a four-game set against Tiffin in Florence, KY. The non-conference schedule includes a trip to Millington, TN to face GLVC Regular Season Champion and regional team Lewis (Feb 20-22) and a series against Findlay in Cincinnati (Feb 27-Mar 1).
In conference play, Wayne State faces the perennial powerhouses of the Midwest Region. Key series to watch include:
Davenport (Away, March 27-29): A rematch against the team that ended their 2025 season and was a regional host.
Grand Valley State (Home, April 2-4): A massive home series against a regional giant.
Saginaw Valley State (Home, April 10-12): Another crucial home stand against a GLIAC rival.
The regular season concludes with a challenging road trip to Winter Park, Florida, to face Rollins (April 30-May 2), providing a tough test right before the GLIAC Tournament begins on May 7 in Lansing.
With nearly 90% of their innings returning and a veteran core that understands the grind of the GLIAC, the Warriors are poised to turn the page on a heartbreaking finish to 2025. Coach Ryan Kelley has built a program defined by consistency, and this roster—led by battle-tested captains like Tony Hatzigeorgiou and Gabe Nazelli—possesses the leadership to navigate the highs and lows of a long season. Fueled by the "productive fall" of key returners and the fresh energy of transfers, Wayne State enters 2026 not just looking to compete, but to finish the job they started last May and return to a high level of winning baseball. 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
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