TOPEKA, Kan. -- Washburn baseball opens the 2025 season with four games at the Dugan Invitational in Hot Springs, Ar. beginning Friday morning at 10 a.m. against Henderson State.
LEADING OFF
>> Washburn baseball will get the 2025 season underway with four games in four days against three opponents at the Dugan Invitational in Hot Springs, Ar.
>> The Ichabods open the season against Henderson State on Friday, Jan. 31 at 10 a.m. On Saturday they take on Ouachita Baptist at 4 p.m. followed by games against Southern Arkansas the next two days at 1 p.m. and 11 a.m.
>> Washburn is coming off a third straight 30-win season in 2024. They finished the campaign 32-21 overall and 21-12 in the MIAA, finishing fifth in the regular season and advancing to the MIAA Championship Tournament.
>> They were picked to finish fifth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.
BODS AND BITS
>> Last season Washburn scored 9.26 runs per game while allowing 7.25.
>> They went 15-7 at Falley Field, 15-12 in road games and 2-2 in neutral field games.
>> At the plate the Ichabods hit .322 with a .420 OB% and a .564 SLG%. They hit 100 home runs with 127 doubles and drew 263 walks.
>> The pitching staff had a 6.95 ERA with 380 strikeouts across 454.2 innings. They allowed 493 hits and issued 299 walks.
>> Washburn had a .970 fielding percentage last year with 58 errors and turned 46 double plays.
>> On the basepaths the Ichabods stole 55 bases while opponents swiped 63 and were thrown out 16 times.
>> Last season Washburn outscored opponents 61-33 in the first inning and were 19-9 when putting up at least one run in the first.
DUGAN INVITATIONAL INFORMATION
>> The Dugan Collegiate Baseball Invitational will run from Friday, Jan. 31 to Monday, Feb. 3 and all game (sans for one) will be played in Hot Springs, Ar. at Majestic Park.
>> The tournament will be made up of the Ichabods along with Missouri Southern and Arkansas-Fort Smith from the MIAA. Henderson State, Southern Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist from the GAC round out the tournament.
>> Live stats will be provided via the Ouachita Baptist live stats site. It can be accessed through the Ouachita Baptist site or through the Washburn schedule.
>> Broadcasts will be through livebarn.com. Customers will need to sign up and register to create an account. Once registered search for Majestic Park, click on the Majestic Park logo and select Babe Ruth Field.
>> A 10% discount can be used when signing up with the code Maje-stic
>> At the park tickets are $8 a day for those 13 or older, $5 for those between 6 and 12 and those 12 and under are free.
OPENING DAY
>> The Ichabods are 6-4 in the very first game of the season since Harley Douglas became the head coach in 2015.
>> Washburn is 35-37 all-time in the season opener.
WELCOME BACK EVERY-BOD-Y
>> Twenty-nine Ichabods return from last season with the senior class going 16 players deep.
>> Among the rest of the returners seven are juniors, three are sophomores and three are freshman who redshirted last season.
ALL-MIAA RETURNERS
>> Washburn had nine players earn All-MIAA honors a season ago and will return seven of them in 2025.
>> Payton McHarg returns for his senior season after turning in one of the most productive seasons at the plate in program history and earning All-MIAA first team honors in the outfield. As a junior the Canadian blasted a team-high 21 home runs on 73 total hits with 67 RBI while hitting .354 on the year and reaching base at a .473 clip. His 21 home runs are third most in a season in program history with 67 RBI ranking as the fourth highest total.
>> Cash Jay was a consistent part of the top of the order and left side of the infield for Washburn, topping the team charts with a .362 batting average and 75 hits. He will be a senior in 2025 after being named a first team All-MIAA selection as a utility player a season ago. He also set a new program record with 23 doubles and was second on the squad belting 15 home runs to drive in a total of 60 runs. Playing all over the field, he had a team-high 106 assists.
>> Jett Buck will also be a senior after finishing last season hitting .326 with a .992 OPS and 59 total hits. He started in 45 of 46 games he appeared in, playing primarily from shortstop on his way to being named to the All-MIAA second team. At the plate he blasted 14 home runs, tied for third on the team, and drove in 52. He was third on the team with 102 total assists and was second on the squad stealing eight bases.
>> Hayden Priest made an instant impact behind and at the plate in his first season with the Ichabods playing in 51 games and making 50 starts. He finished third on the team hitting .352 with 68 total hits on the year. He slashed nine home runs and was tied for the team-lead with three triples. Behind the dish he threw out 10 baserunners and held a .994 fielding percentage. After earning All-MIAA third team recognition a season ago the Enid, Okla. native is back for his senior season.
>> Griffin Huiatt is the only non-senior returning All-MIAA player. The southpaw pitcher will be a junior after turning in a career year tossing 60.0 innings across 17 appearances with eight starts a season ago to earn All-MIAA honorable mention recognition. He had a 5.55 ERA going 3-3 on the year, finishing second on the team with 59 strikeouts. After moving to a relief role late in the season he finished tied for the team lead with a pair of saves.
>> Cooper Carlgren was a consistent member of the Ichabod rotation in his first season with the squad. He led the team with 72.2 innings pitched and 66 punchouts. He finished with a 5-4 record across 15 starts with a 6.32 ERA. The Topeka native will be a senior after receiving All-MIAA honorable mention honors as a junior.
>> Connor Scott played in 51 games and made 48 starts for Washburn all in center field a season ago on his way to earning All-MIAA honorable mention honors along with a spot on the MIAA All-Defensive team. He will be a senior after finishing last season hitting .350 with a 1.013 OPS with seven home runs, 16 doubles and tied for a team-best with three triples. He led the team with 17 stolen bases on 19 attempts. In the field he turned in one of the best defensive seasons in program history with a 1.00 fielding percentage on 132 putouts with four assists.
OUTFIELD
>> Washburn will return four players who played and started at least 10 games in the outfield last season.
>> In addition to Scott and McHarg who combined for 101 starts a season ago the Ichabods return Trevor McCollum and Easton Bruce who started 24 and 16 games respectively.
>> McCollum played in 37 games making 24 starts hitting .265 with an .808 OPS. He tallied 13 RBI with two triples and drew 16 walks for a .410 OB%. On the basebaths the senior also stole five bases on six attempts.
>> Easton Bruce played in 17 games making 16 starts to begin the season before missing the last few months with an injury. He will be a senior in 2025 after hitting .314 a season ago with a pair of home runs and nine RBI.
>> Chase Littrell spent some time in the outfield, mostly as a pinch runner appearing in 22 games. He scored nine runs and drove in one while working six walks at the plate.
INFIELD
>> Aside from Buck and Jay the Ichabods will not return anyone who made starts in the infield a season ago.
>> Andrew Schmidtlein has played multiple positions in the past after missing the 2024 season due to injury. In 2023 he played in 42 games making 28 starts and hit .269 with a .412 OB% working 20 walks. He hit two home runs and drove in 27 RBI.
>> Kuyper Kendall will rejoin the active roster as a sophomore after redshirting last season. As a freshman in 2023 he played in 17 games making nine starts and hitting .250 with four RBI.
>> Konnor Becker will also join the active roster in the infield after redshirting as a true freshman a season ago.
CATCHER
>> Washburn will return two of three players that spent time behind the dish last season with Blake Scott joining Priest in the catching rotation.
>> Scott, now a senior, played in 37 games and made 24 starts mostly as the team's designated hitter to end the season. He hit .333 with a 1.024 OPS blasting three home runs to drive in 16 RBI. He walked 18 times to carry a .505 OB% through the year. Behind the plate he threw out two runners on the year.
>> After redshirting his freshman season Brooks Richardson will join the catching group in 2025.
STARTING PITCHERS
>> The starting rotation for the Ichabods will return much of its production a season ago with 50 of 53 starts returning from 2024.
>> Joining Carlgren and Huiatt in that group are Chase Torkelson and Caden Bressler who started at least five games a season ago.
>> Bressler, a senior, began the season in the bullpen before moving to the rotation. He finished the year with eight starts and 14 appearances tossing 49.1 innings with a 5.66 ERA and 3-3 record. He was tied for the team lead with a pair of saves and struck out 27 batters on the year.
>> Chase Torkelson pitched and started in 15 games a season ago. He returns as a junior after throwing 70.1 innings, second most on the team, and finishing with a 5-1 record and 6.65 ERA. He struck out 52 batters, third most on the team.
RELIEF PITCHERS
>> Eleven Ichabods who came out of the bullpen at least once last season will return for 2025.
>> Among that group six made ten or more appearances in 2024 and will join Huiatt, who will swing between starter and reliever, in the bullpen.
>> Fidel Hatch will be a junior in 2025 after making 18 appearances and one start a season ago. He tossed 32.2 total innings with 25 strikeouts and a 6.89 ERA. He had a 2-3 record and was tied for the team-high with two saves.
>> Logan Bartlett also made 18 appearances last season, with one start. He had a 10.65 ERA across 23.2 innings on the mound and had a 3-1 record with 16 total strikeouts.
>> Gavin Wilhelm made 13 appearances out of the pen as a freshman last year. He threw 16.1 innings but fanned 23 batters in that time. He carried an 11.02 ERA and had a 1-0 record.
>> Kai Bennett threw in 14 games as a true freshman last season going 2-2 with an 11.66 ERA. He struck out 16 in 14.2 innings.
>> Grant Zwald made five relief appearances before missing the rest of the season with an injury. He threw 12.0 innings with a 3.75 ERA and one save, striking out 15.
>> Sam Wragge threw 11.0 innings in 13 appearances a season ago. He returns as a senior after going 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA and nine strikeouts.
>> Last season Max Clark made 10 total appearances with two starts. He threw 12.1 innings, striking out 12 and had a 8.76 ERA. He returns as a senior in 2025.
>> Ashton Jenkins threw 8.1 innings last year across 12 games and will be a junior in 2025 after striking out 10 a season ago.
>> Cal Leonard will be a senior after missing 2024 due to injury. Back in 2023 he made 12 relief appearences with a 1-0 record. He tossed 12.1 innings striking out 15 with a 5.84 ERA.
>> Blake Priest will also join the bullpen as a junior after missing last season due to injury.
NEW FACES
>> Washburn welcomes 16 newcomers to the 2025 squad with five coming in as true freshmen and 11 joining as transfers.
>> Among the 11 transfers three will spend just one season in Topeka, joining as seniors, while the remaining eight are juniors.
>> Joining the Ichabod active roster as transfers are #4 Darian Duhon (UTL/Maurice, La.), #15 Jackson Mervosh (INF/Olathe, Kan.), #16 Caleb Lunnon (RHP/Piedmont, Okla.), #17 Cayden Brown (RHP/Derby, Kan.), #21 Piercen McElyea (RHP/Edmond, Okla.), #29 Jacob Trombley (INF/Grove, Okla.), #30 Ricky Powell (OF/McHenry, Ill.), #36 Kyle Snyder (LHP/Grimes, Iowa), #40 Ethan Alexander (RHP/Oak Law, Ill,) and #44 Kaden Gray (RHP/Wyoming Ontario, Canada).
>> #43 Caden Walker (LHP/Topeka, Kan.) will redshirt in his first season after transferring back home.
>> Among the true freshmen #23 Garrett Springer (UTL/Lincoln, Neb.) and #33 Owen Laessig (UTL/Lincoln, Neb.) will joing the active roster. #46 Wyatt Morwood (RHP/Arvada, Colo.), #51 Owen Blaine (RHP/Ottawa, Kan.) and #52 Jace Cattoor (UTL/Arvada, Colo.) will redshirt for the year.
ICHABODS AROUND THE COUNTRY
>> Washburn's 45-man roster consists of players from nine different states.
>> There are 17 players on the roster who are from the Sunflower State.
>> The state producing the second most Ichabods is Oklahoma with 9.
>> Washburn has four players coming from each of the remaining three border states, Nebraska, Colorado and Missouri.
>> Two players each come from Texas and Illinois. Two Ichabods also utilize their passports coming south from Canada.
>> One Ichabod hails from Iowo and Louisiana each to round out the roster.
MIAA PRESEASON POLL
>> In the 2025 MIAA Coaches Preseason Poll, the Ichabods were picked fifth, the same place they finished in the 2024 regular season.
>> Central Missouri repeated as the conference favorite, earning 11 first-place votes and 141 total points.
>> Missouri Southern was slotted in second with Pittsburg State narrowly behind, the Lions received the final two first-place votes.
>> Central Oklahoma and the Ichabods round out the top-five with 119 and 97 points respectively.
NUMBERS AROUND THE NATION
>> As a team in 2024 Washburn put up a strong season in several categories to finish near the top in the conference and national ranks including...
Home runs per game - 1.89 (2nd MIAA / 3rd nationally)
Slugging percentage - .564 (2nd MIAA / 8th nationally)
Doubles per game - 2.40 (2nd MIAA / 9th nationally)
Runs per game - 9.3 (2nd MIAA / 11th nationally)
Double plays per game - 0.87 (2nd MIAA / 20th nationally)
Hits - 607 - (3rd MIAA / 22nd nationally)
On base percentage - .420 (3rd MIAA / 47th nationally)
Fielding percentage - .970 (5th MIAA / 48th nationally)
Hits allowed per nine - 9.76 (5th MIAA / 69th nationally)
On an individual level multiple returning Ichabods had strong seasons in multiple categories:
Payton McHarg - home runs - 21 (1st MIAA / 7th nationally)
Cash Jay - doubles - 23 (3rd MIAA / 10th nationally)
Cooper Carlgren - games started 15 (3rd MIAA / 21st nationally)
Chase Torkelson - games started 15 (3rd MIAA / 21st nationally)
Payton McHarg - total bases - 153 (5th MIAA / 22nd nationally)
Payton McHarg - slugging percentage - .743 (3rd MIAA / 30th nationally)
Payton McHarg - RBI - 67 (5th MIAA / 33rd nationally)
Cash Jay - homoe runs - 15 (5th MIAA / 51st nationally)
HEAD COACH HARLEY DOUGLAS
>> Former Washburn All-MIAA outfielder Harley Douglas enters his 11th season at the helm of the Washburn baseball program in 2025.
>> In nine seasons, Douglas carries an all-time record of 256-217 with six appearances in the MIAA Tournament and led the program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament in 2022.
>> He has also coached a total of 63 all-MIAA selections, including the MIAA Player and Pitcher of the Year in 2016.
>> Prior to returning to his alma mater in 2012 he was the head coach at St. Marys HS from 2003-06 and at Rossville HS from 2007-10.
>> Douglas is a two-time Washburn graduate, receiving his Exercise Physiology degree in 2002 before earning an Education degree in 2004. He also earned a Master's Degree in Adaptive Special Education from Emporia State in 2010.
ASSISTANT COACHES
>> Connor Crimmins is in his seventh season with the Ichabods after spending the prior two seasons on Brad Hill's Kansas State staff serving as a graduate assistant
>> While at Washburn, Crimmins played both football and baseball, finishing his career on the diamond top 10 in sacrifice flies (4th/11), doubles (6th/38) and RBI (t-7th/132), while having the 12th-most at-bats (575).
>> He graduated from Washburn in 2016 with his bachelor's and earned his master's in college student development and counseling from K-State.
>> Rane Pfeifer is in his second season on the coaching staff after finishing his playing career with the Ichabods in 2023.
>> He finished his career second all-time in opponent batting average (.218), third in games started (36), fourth in strikeouts (210) and 19th in innings pitched (165.2)
>> Pfeifer graduated from Washburn with a bachelor's degree in business management in May 2022
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
HENDERSON STATE REDDIES
>> Henderson State went 27-23 in 2024 with a 20-13 mark inside the GAC, they were knocked out in the first round of the GAC Tournament. They went 14-14 at home, 11-8 on the road and 2-1 in neutral field games last season.
>> The Reddies were picked to finish fifth in the GAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
>> Cody Hooten returns for his 15th season as the head coach at Henderson State. He has a 377-313-1 record with the Reddies including seven 30+ win seasons.
>> Henderson State averaged 7.02 runs per game while opponents scored 6.06 last season.
>> The Reddies offense hit .287 as a team with a .390 OB% and 36 home runs a season ago.
>> They were third in the GAC and 38th nationally with 30 sacrifice flies. With 53 stolen bases they ranked fourth in the conference.
>> Luke Rice leads the returning offensive group for Henderson State coming off a season where he started all 48 games he played in hitting .347, second on the team. He hit three home runs and drove in 34 while stealing six bases in seven attempts. He had a team-high .462 OB% with 36 walks.
>> Jordan Allen returns after hitting a team-high seven home runs a season ago. He appeared in 39 games making 31 starts and finished with a .540 SLG% and 26 RBI.
>> The pitching staff had a 5.76 ERA across 420.0 innings with 358 strikeouts and 277 walks in 2024.
>> They were sixth in the conference and 96th nationally last season with a 1.63 WHIP.
>> Reese Weaks is the lone returning All-GAC member from a season ago after earning second team honors. He pitched and started in 14 games logging 72.0 innings with 70 strikeouts. He had a 4.38 ERA and 5-1 record on the year with opponents hitting just .205. He was 20th in the nation and first in the GAC in hits allowed per nine innings.
>> Payton Byrd returns to the Reddies bullpen after making 20 appearances a season ago throwing 30.1 innings. He had a 2-5 record and 4.75 ERA while striking out 42.
>> Washburn is 0-1 all-time against Henderson State. The first and only meeting came on Feb. 5, 2023 and was a 7-6 win for the Reddies in Arkadelphia, Ark.
OUACHITA BAPTIST TIGERS
>> Ouachita Baptist posted a 28-23 record in 2024 going 19-14 inside the GAC, they finished the season in the first round of the GAC Tournament. They went 12-8 at home, 13-15 on the road and 3-0 in neutral field games last season.
>> The Tigers were picked to finish eighth in the GAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
>> Luke Howard is in his seventh season as the head coach of the Ouachita Baptist baseball progrma. He is 146-128 with the team and has led them to a pair of 30+ win seasons.
>> Ouachita Baptist averaged 6.43 runs per game while opponents scored 5.37 last season.
>> The Tigers offense hit .287 as a team with a .386 OB% and 84 home runs a season ago.
>> They were second in the GAC and 10th in the nation in home runs while also ranking 3rd in the GAC and 31st nationally in slugging percentage.
>> Joseph Bolin is the lone .300+ hitter returning for Ouachita Baptist after he slashed .313 with a .920 OPS last season. He played in 43 games making 39 starts and hit six home runs with 30 RBI.
>> Scott Wesley also returns to the lineup after playing and starting in 49 games last year while hitting .288 with a .893 OPS. He hit seven home runs and drove in 43 while stealing eight bases in nine attempts.
>> The pitching staff had a 4.50 ERA across 420.0 innings with 395 strikeouts and 177 walks in 2024.
>> They finished 3rd in the GAC and 30th in the nation in earned run average while ranking. They were fifth in the GAc and 47th nationally with a 1.51 WHIP.
>> Chase Oberle returns after being named an All-Region selection a season ago and being named the GAC Newcomer of the Year. He is a D2 Baseball Preseason All-American after throwing 84.2 innings last season in 15 appearances with 14 starts. He went 6-4 on the year with a 2.23 ERA while striking out 81 and walking just 24. He was first in the GAC and sixth in the nation in ERA.
>> Luke House also returns after pitching in 15 games with 13 starts a season ago. He threw 71.0 innings, striking out 65 and had a 6-6 record with a 5.45 ERA.
>> Washburn is 0-1 in the all-time series against Ouachita Baptist with the only meeting also coming at Majestic Park with a 7-6 win for the Tigers on Feb. 2, 2023.
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS MULERIDERS
>> Southern Arkansas posted a 30-20 record overall in 2024 going 19-13 inside the GAC, finishing the season in the final four of the GAC Tournament. They went 10-9 at home, 17-8 on the road and 3-3 in neutral field games last season.
>> The Muleriders were picked to finish fourth in the GAC Preseason Coaches Poll.
>> Justin Pettigrew is in his eighth season at the helm of the Southern Arkansas baseball program. He has gone 275-126 with the Muleriders and has five 30+ win seasons including each of the last four.
>> Southern Arkansas averaged 6.98 runs per game while opponents scored 4.58 last season.
>> The Tigers offense hit .275 as a team with a .393 OB% and 61 home runs a season ago.
>> They were 42nd in the nation and first in the MIAA with 15 triple while also ranking sixth in the GAC and 43rd in the nation in home runs.
>> Trace Shoup returns after leading the Muleriders in batting average a season ago hitting .349 with a 1.041 OPS across 49 games. He was a second team All-GAC selection a season ago adding eight home runs with 34 RBI while also stealing eight bases.
>> Brandon Nicoll also returns after earning first team All-Conference honors last season. He hit .316 with a team-high 13 home runs and 44RBI across 50 games played and started. He was seventh in the GAC in home runs.
>> The pitching staff had a 4.31 ERA across 407.1 innings with 370 strikeouts and 149 walks in 2024.
>> They finished 1st in the GAC in ERA and 22nd nationally. They were also first in walks allowed per nine innings with just 3.29 free passes issued per game, 13th best in the nation.
>> Jeremy Adorno returns to the pitching staff after tossing 88.0 innings across 15 starts a season ago. He finished with 100 strikeouts and a 5-5 record to go along with a 4.19 ERA. He was second in the GAC and 48th nationally allowing just 7.47 hits per nine innings.
>> Nate June threw 32.2 innings last season in 14 appearances with three starts. He struck out 30 and had a 3-0 record with a 4.68 ERA.
>> Southern Arkansas leads the all-time series over Washburn 4-7. The last meeting came on Feb. 6, 2023 and was a 3-2 win for the Muleriders in Majestic Park.
MILESTONE MARKERS
>> Griffin Huiatt is tied for 15th in program history with four saves.
>> Cash Jay holds the 14th highest career batting average in program history at .362. In home runs he is tied for 21st with 15.
>> Payton McHarg is tied for 10th in Washburn history with 21 home runs. In batting average he ranks 20th slashing .354 in his career.
>> With eight career triples Connor Scott is tied for seventh in program history. With 36 stolen bases he is tied for the 23rd most bags swiped.
PRO BODS
>> Washburn baseball has a presence in the pro ranks with 2023 All-MIAA second-team pitcher Casey Steward being in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system. In 2024 he split time at the A and A+ level finishing the year with an 8-5 record and 3.42 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 102.2 innings.
>>Steward became the second Ichabod to have his name called under head coach Harley Douglas after being selected in the 19th round with the 583rd pick in the 2023 MLB Draft.
WASHBURN BASEBALL HISTORY
>> The 2025 season will be the 73rd year of Washburn Baseball.
>> The Ichabods have a 1359-1288-3 record in program history.
>> There have been 34 seasons with 20+ wins; 24 seasons with 25+ wins; and 13 seasons with 30+ wins.
>> Washburn has earned 30 All-Region selections and 11 All-America awards.
ON DECK
>> The Ichabods head further south next weekend as they head to the South Florida Baseball Jamboree for four games in four days between Feb. 7-10.
>> Washburn returns for its home opener on Feb. 14 against Augustana on Friday, Feb. 14 at 3 p.m.
>> Senior day for the Ichabods will be on Sunday, April 27 against Newman with first pitch set for 1 p.m.
>> The double elimination MIAA Tournament will begin in Joplin, Mo. at Warren Turner Field on May 7 and run through May 11.
