Lindenwood University – February 25
Playing in Columbia for the first time this year, the Tigers’ home opener is against the Lindenwood Lions. After a difficult 2024 season, finishing 16-38 (9-18) with a team ERA near 6.00 and a .254 team batting average, the Lions are aiming for a stronger 2025 campaign. Under second-year head coach PJ Finigan, Lindenwood hopes to rebound after consecutive seasons with fewer than 20 wins.
The Lions struggled in 2024, and 2025 doesn’t appear to offer much promise. Both of their top hitters from 2024, who were seniors and the only players to hit above .300, have departed. Following them, the next best performers were juniors Kam Edwards and Bryson Arnette. Edwards hit .280 with 11 extra-base hits and 22 RBIs, while Arnette posted a .270 average with 15 extra-base hits and a .327 on-base percentage.
The team’s offense relied heavily on juniors and seniors, with players frequently rotating through positions. Of the 54 games played in 2024, only five players appeared in more than 40 games. Among them was Evan Funkhouser, who started 52 games but hit just .212.
The Lions fielded only two underclassmen last season: redshirt sophomore Jack Meyer and freshman Alessandro Volpe. Both will be expected to take on larger roles in 2025. Additional key positions will need to be filled by incoming freshmen, such as infielder Charlie Isom-McCall and outfielder Bret Yarger, as the team looks to rebuild.
Pitching doesn’t appear to be a strong suit for the Lions, who posted a team ERA of nearly 6.00 in 2024. However, they will benefit from the return of all three starting pitchers from last season. Juniors Eli Brown (5.01 ERA) and Zach Buschschulte (5.88 ERA), along with sophomore Josh Newell (5.21 ERA), were the only pitchers to start more than 10 games, combining for 38 of the team’s 54 starts. Known for their focus on control and keeping the ball in the zone, the trio logged over 200 innings, striking out 136 batters while issuing only 63 walks.
The bullpen will also remain largely intact, with key arms like Aaron Jungers (21 appearances), Easton Rakers (22 appearances), and Bennett Stice (15 appearances) returning. Jungers, in particular, is poised for a breakout season after a solid 2024 campaign, during which he posted a 4.54 ERA with 34 strikeouts across just under 36 innings.
New additions to the pitching staff include recruits Eli Tritinger and Noah Cryns, both of whom are capable of hitting 90 mph on the radar gun. They bring potential to a staff looking to improve significantly in 2025.
Guys to look for
Alessandro Volpe
Eli Tritinger
Evansville – February 28-March 2
The Tigers will open their season at home with a series against the Evansville Aces. The Aces are coming off one of the best seasons in program history, reaching the Super Regionals before falling 2-1 to the eventual national champion Tennessee Volunteers.
Evansville head coach and alum Wes Carroll enters his 18th year at the helm with a fresh five-year contract extension. Carroll aims to build on last year’s success and guide his team to another NCAA Tournament appearance in 2025.
Offensively, the Aces will be led by many familiar faces, highlighted by star hitter Matt Flaherty. In 2024, Flaherty posted an impressive .374 batting average with an OPS exceeding 1.200. He was an on-base machine, ranking among the nation’s leaders with a .514 on-base percentage.
Several other key contributors from last season are also set to return in 2025. RJ James (.348 AVG), Harrison Taubert (.292 AVG), Cal McGinnis (.348 AVG), and Ryan Seddon (.289 AVG) each played in at least 50 games last year and are expected to reprise their roles. Together, they helped the Aces achieve a .299 team batting average, ranking 50th in the country.
One of the team’s biggest strengths heading into 2025 is its youth. The 2024 roster featured 16 freshmen and sophomores, most of whom are returning and ready to build on their experience. With this combination of returning talent and youthful depth, Evansville is poised to be a formidable offensive team in the upcoming season.
Several other key contributors from last season are set to return in 2025, including RJ James (.348 AVG), Harrison Taubert (.292 AVG), Cal McGinnis (.348 AVG), and Ryan Seddon (.289 AVG). Each played a significant role last season, appearing in at least 50 games, and they are expected to continue making an impact in the upcoming campaign.
Evansville’s pitching was solid but not stellar in 2024. One of their top starters, Kenton Deverman, is expected to return and lead the rotation in 2025. Deverman logged over 110 innings last year with a 4.22 ERA, showcasing his ability to keep the ball in the zone and avoid walks, issuing just 23 free passes.
Kevin Reed, their third starter from last season, also returns for his junior year and will be expected to improve upon his performance from 2024. The Aces are also bringing back key arms from their bullpen, including Max Hansmann, Drew Fieger, and Owen Byberg, who will be relied upon to play significant roles in 2025. They will be bolstered by transfers like Andrew Dusablon and Matt Maloney, further strengthening the pitching staff as the Aces look to make another NCAA Tournament push.
Guys to look for
Matt Maloney
Brodie “B.J.” Peart
Aaron Nehls
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