2026 VCU Rams baseball team

2026 VCU Rams baseball
ConferenceAtlantic 10 Conference
Record38–25 (20–10 A-10)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Andrew Llewellyn (6th season)
  • Campbell Ellis (1st season)
Hitting coachChris O'Neill (2nd season)
Pitching coachJoJo Howie (2nd season)
Home stadiumThe Diamond
2026 Atlantic 10 Conference baseball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L T PCTW L T PCT
Saint Joseph's  ‍†‍‍ 25–5–0 .83335–18–0 .660
Richmond ‍‍‍ 20–10–0 .66733–22–0 .600
VCU ‍‍‡‍y 20–10–0 .66737–23–0 .617
George Mason ‍‍‍ 18–12–0 .60028–24–0 .538
Davidson ‍‍‍ 16–14–0 .53325–26–0 .490
Rhode Island ‍‍‍ 16–14–0 .53323–29–0 .442
Dayton ‍‍‍ 15–15–0 .50031–23–0 .574
Fordham ‍‍‍ 15–15–0 .50025–30–0 .455
Saint Louis ‍‍‍ 11–19–0 .36720–34–0 .370
George Washington ‍‍‍ 9–21–0 .30018–35–0 .340
La Salle ‍‍‍ 8–22–0 .26724–31–0 .436
St. Bonaventure ‍‍‍ 7–23–0 .23313–36–1 .270
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of May 17, 2026[1]
Rankings from D1Baseball

The 2026 VCU Rams baseball team will represent Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2026 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Rams will their home games at The Diamond as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They will be led by second-year head coach Sean Thompson.

This was to be VCU's first season at CarMax Park, but in December 2025, a disagreement between the university and the Richmond Flying Squirrels saw the program remain at The Diamond for the foreseeable future.[2] Originally, the Rams were going to play at the Diamond for February and March home games and then at CarMax Park for April and May home games.

Previous season

The Rams are coming off a 17–37 (10–20) season, which was Sean Thompson's first season managing the program. They will be looking to return to both the Atlantic 10 Conference baseball tournament and the NCAA Division I baseball tournament. Sean Thompson's entire coaching staff will be returning, along with the addition of Campbell Ellis who will join as the Director of Pitching Development.

Preseason

Preseason Atlantic 10 awards and honors

Preseason awards will be announced in February 2026.

Preseason All-Atlantic 10 Team
Player No. Position Team Class

Coaches poll

The coaches poll was released on February 13, 2026. VCU was selected to finish eighth.[3]

Coaches' Poll
Predicted
finish		 Team Points
1Rhode Island136 (5)
2George Mason122 (4)
T−3Saint Joseph's98 (1)
Saint Louis98
T−5Dayton83 (1)
Richmond83
7Davidson77
8VCU71 (1)
9George Washington68
10Fordham56
11St. Bonaventure24
12La Salle20

Personnel

Starters

Lineup
Pos.No.Player.Year
C11Teige LethertGraduate
1B3Nate KirkpatrickJunior
2B24Alec WardenRS Freshman
3B6Nick FloresSophomore
SS8Dante DeFrancoGraduate
LF10Ethan AcevedoJunior
CF1Michael PetiteJunior
RF9Trent AdelmanJunior
DH37Jacob LeeSophomore
Weekend pitching rotation
DayNo.Player.Year
Friday25Hunter GotschallJunior
Saturday35Patrick SteitzRS Senior
Sunday19Nick FrersJunior

Roster

2026 VCU Rams baseball team
PlayersCoaches
#Pos.NameB/THeightWeightYearHome town
1 OF Michael Petite R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jr Melbourne, FL
2 INF Brendan Horne R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Fr Hooksett, NH
3 INF Nate Kirkpatrick R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jr Surrey, BC
4 INF Cade Tousa L/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jr Saline, MI
6 INF Nick Flores R/R 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 185 lb (84 kg) So Royersford, PA
8 UTL Dante DeFranco R/R 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Gr Hillsborough, NC
9 OF Trent Adelman R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jr Darnestown, MD
10 OF Ethan Acevedo L/L 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jr Monroe, NY
11 C Teige Lethert L/R 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Gr Woodbury, MN
12 UTL Brody Leyboldt L/L 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jr Omaha, NE
14 RHP Everett Vaughan R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Gr Moseley, VA
15 RHP Cooper Campbell R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 160 lb (73 kg) So Lynchburg, VA
16 LHP Boyce Read L/L 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Fr Rogers, AR
17 INF Rex Smith L/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jr Sarasota, FL
19 RHP Nick Frers R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Jr North Vancouver, BC
21 RHP Caleb Clover R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Jr Bradenton, FL
22 RHP Chase Nystrom R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Trinity, FL
23 RHP Riley Roarty L/R 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) So Midlothian, VA
24 INF Alec Warden R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) RS Fr Pittsburgh, PA
25 RHP Hunter Gotschall R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jr Peyton, CO
26 RHP Cooper Weygandt R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jr Beaverton, OR
27 RHP Anthony Roszko R/R 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Jr Chesapeake, VA
28 C Graham Hylton R/L 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jr Mustang, OK
29 RHP Coleman Bobb R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 250 lb (113 kg) Jr Benson, UT
31 UTL Quinn Maher L/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Jr Colorado Springs, CO
32 LHP Dawson Newman R/L 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) So Great Bridge, VA
33 LHP Bryce Carter L/L 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Jr Sanford, FL
35 RHP Patrick Steitz R/R 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Sr Peoria, AZ
37 C Jacob Lee R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) So Chesterfield, VA
38 RHP Fenix DiGiacomo R/R 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 240 lb (109 kg) Gr Spotsylvania, VA
39 RHP Zach Peters R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Sr North Haven, CT
41 RHP Nick Bertrand R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Seminole, FL
42 RHP Elias Holbert R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 240 lb (109 kg) RS Sr Sherwood, OR
43 LHP Cade Dressler L/L 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Gr Mifflinburg, PA
Head coach

Sean Thompson

Assistant coach(es)

JoJo Howie
Andrew Llewellyn
Chris O'Neill

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Injured Injured
  • Redshirt Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: January 3, 2026

Coaching staff

2026 VCU Rams baseball coaching staff
NamePositionSeasons at
VCU		Alma mater
Sean ThompsonHead coach3Virginia Commonwealth University (2018)
JoJo HowieAssistant coach2Virginia Commonwealth University (2015)
Andrew LlewellynAssistant coach6Wingate University (2020)
Chris O'NeillPitching coach2King's College (NC) (2012)

Offseason

Departures

Offseason departures
Name No. Pos. Height Weight Year Hometown Notes
Seth Werchan8OF6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)205 pounds (93 kg)GraduateAustin, TXGraduated
Cato Kleinman11INF5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)170 pounds (77 kg)SeniorWestlake Village, CAGraduated
Casey Kleinman13C5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)170 pounds (77 kg)SeniorWestlake Village, CAGraduated
Owen Tappy16RHP6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)185 pounds (84 kg)GraduateCharlotte, NCGraduated
Miles Garrett18RHP5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)170 pounds (77 kg)GraduateStone Mountain, GAGraduated
James McGrady24RHP5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 pounds (86 kg)SeniorNorfolk, VAGraduated
Will Henson27INF6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 pounds (84 kg)SeniorChicago, ILGraduated
Carter Richey28INF5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)205 pounds (93 kg)SeniorChandler, AZGraduated
Max Moore29LHP6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)255 pounds (116 kg)GraduateRichmond, VAGraduated
Kannon Kleine30C5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)200 pounds (91 kg)RS SophomoreGalesburg, ILDid not return
Brian Yetter31RHP6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)215 pounds (98 kg)GraduateMcVeytown, PAGraduated
Drew Ramos32RHP6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)210 pounds (95 kg)GraduateWilliamsburg, VAGraduated
Broden Palmer33RHP6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)225 pounds (102 kg)SophomoreKennewick, WADid not return
Jack Goleski38LHP6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)195 pounds (88 kg)SeniorMechanicsville, VAGraduated
Danny Estrada41OF5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)185 pounds (84 kg)SeniorWest Lawn, PAGraduated
Jack Hoeymans45RHP6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)215 pounds (98 kg)RS SeniorMcLean, VAGraduated
Justin Humenay50RHP6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)195 pounds (88 kg)GraduateMontreal, QCGraduated
Sean Swenson55INF6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)220 pounds (100 kg)GraduateIndianapolis, INGraduated

Outgoing transfers

Outgoing transfers
Name Number Pos. Height Weight Hometown Year New school Source
Adrian Jimenez1INF5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)175 pounds (79 kg)Lilburn, GAFreshmanCharlotte[4]
Nick April-Gath4INF6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 pounds (77 kg)Valrico, FLFreshmanFlorida Southwestern[5]
Elijah Coston10INF/LHP6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)185 pounds (84 kg)Chester, VAFreshmanFlorida Southwestern[5]
Will Epstein12OF6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 pounds (86 kg)Chapel Hill, NCSophomorePitt (NC)
Spencer Sullivan17OF/1B6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)200 pounds (91 kg)West Linn, ORJuniorLSU–Shreveport
Brian Goglia21RHP6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)175 pounds (79 kg)Milford, CTFreshmanEastern Connecticut[6]
Colby Motley22INF/OF6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)218 pounds (99 kg)Williamsburg, VAFreshmanWallace[7]
Joe Gomez35RHP5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)180 pounds (82 kg)Palmyra, VARS FreshmanLongwood[8]
Brayden McCollough44RHP6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)255 pounds (116 kg)Centennial, COJuniorMetro State Denver[9]

2025 MLB draft

No players were selected in the 2025 MLB draft.

Acquisitions

Incoming transfers

Incoming transfers
Name No. Pos. Height Weight Hometown Year Previous school Source
Michael Petite1OF6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)200 pounds (91 kg)Melbourne, FLJuniorMiami Dade
Cade Tousa4INF5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)175 pounds (79 kg)Saline, MIJuniorIowa Western
Dante DeFranco8UTL5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)180 pounds (82 kg)Hillsborough, NCGraduateCharlotte
Ethan Acevedo10OF5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)180 pounds (82 kg)Monroe, NYJuniorIndian Hills
Teige Lethert11C6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)220 pounds (100 kg)Woodbury, MNGraduateMilwaukee
Brody Leyboldt12OF6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 pounds (82 kg)Omaha, NEJuniorIowa Western
Rex Smith17INF6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)200 pounds (91 kg)Sarasota, FLJuniorSCF–Sarasota
Caleb Clover21RHP6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 pounds (86 kg)Bradenton, FLJuniorHillsborough
Alec Warden24SS6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 pounds (84 kg)Pittsburgh, PARS FreshmanPenn State
Hunter Gotschall25RHP6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)200 pounds (91 kg)Peyton, COJuniorSalt Lake
Cooper Weygandt26RHP6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)200 pounds (91 kg)Beaverton, ORJuniorPierce (WA)
Anthony Roszko27RHP6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)230 pounds (100 kg)Chesapeake, VAJuniorVirginia Wesleyan
Graham Hylton28C6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)195 pounds (88 kg)Mustang, OKJuniorNorthern Oklahoma
Coleman Bobb29RHP6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)250 pounds (110 kg)Benson, UTJuniorSouthern Idaho
Quinn Maher31UTL6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)220 pounds (100 kg)Colorado Springs, COJuniorHutchinson
Dawson Newman32LHP6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 pounds (86 kg)Great Bridge, VASophomoreCoastal Carolina
Bryce Carter33LHP6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)235 pounds (107 kg)Sanford, FLJuniorEastern Florida State
Patrick Steitz35RHP6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)210 pounds (95 kg)Peoria, AZSeniorKansas
Fenix DiGiacomo38RHP6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)240 pounds (110 kg)Spotsylvania, VAGraduateMarshall
Elias Holbert42RHP6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)240 pounds (110 kg)Sherwood, ORRS SeniorCoastal Carolina

Incoming recruits

2025 VCU Recruits
NameNumberB/TPos.HeightWeightHometownHigh SchoolSource
Brendan Horne2R/RINF5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)175 pounds (79 kg)Hooksett, NHPinkerton
Boyce Read16L/LOF/LHP6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)185 pounds (84 kg)Rogers, ARBentonville
Chase Nystrom22R/ROF/RHP6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)180 pounds (82 kg)Trinity, FLA3 Academy
Nick Bertrand41R/ROF/RHP6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)180 pounds (82 kg)Seminole, FLNorthside Christian (SC)

Game log

2026 VCU Rams baseball game log (38–25)
Regular season: 32–22 (Home: 21–7; Away: 10–14; Neutral: 1–1)
Postseason: 6–3 (Home: 0–0; Away: 0–2; Neutral: 6–1)
Legend:        = Win        = Loss        = Canceled
Bold = VCU team member
Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the D1Baseball poll.[10]

Schedule Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Part of a doubleheader.

Tournaments

Atlantic 10 tournament

VCU won their fifth Atlantic 10 Conference baseball tournament championship after beating Rhode Island 9–1. Jacob Lee was award the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.[11]

Atlantic 10 baseball tournament
(1) Saint Joseph's Hawks (2) Richmond Spiders (3) VCU Rams (4) George Mason Patriots (5) Rhode Island Rams (6) Davidson Wildcats
Upper round 1Upper round 2Upper finalFinal
1Saint Joseph's9
4George Mason85Rhode Island17
5Rhode Island195Rhode Island5
3VCU4
2Richmond4
3VCU73VCU7
6Davidson4
5Rhode Island16
3VCU189
Lower round 1Lower round 2Lower round 3Lower final
.1Saint Joseph's3
1Saint Joseph's143VCU13
4George Mason114George Mason4
4George Mason92Richmond6
6Davidson1

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: — = Not ranked
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
Coaches'[12]——*————————————
Baseball America[13]——————————————
NCBWA†[14]——————————————
D1Baseball[15]——————————————
Perfect Game[16]——————————————

† NCBWA ranks 30 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 25 teams weekly during the season.
* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

References

  1. ↑ "2026 Baseball Standings". atlantic10.com. Atlantic 10 Conference. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  2. ↑ Joachim, Zach (January 14, 2026). "Amid CarMax Park uncertainty, VCU baseball says it will play 2026 season at The Diamond". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Rhode Island Preseason Favorite to Repeat as Atlantic 10 Baseball Champions". atlantic10.com.
  4. ↑ "Adrian Jimenez - 2026 Baseball Roster". charlotte49ers.com. University of North Carolina, Charlotte Athletics. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  5. 1 2 "2026 Florida SouthWestern Baseball Roster". fswbucs.com. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Brian Goglia - 2026 - Baseball". gowarriorathletics.com. ECSU Athletics. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  7. ↑ "2025 Baseball Fall Roster - Colby Motley". wallacegovs.com. Wallace Community College Athletics. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Joe Gomez - Baseball - Longwood Athletics". longwoodlancers.com. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Brayden McCollough - Baseball - MSU Denver Athletics". roadrunnersathletics.com. MSU Denver.
  10. ↑ "2026 Baseball Schedule". vcuathletics.com. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
  11. ↑ "VCU Wins Fifth Atlantic 10 Baseball Title with 9–1 Sunday Victory". Atlantic 10 Conference. May 24, 2026. Retrieved June 18, 2026.
  12. ↑ "NCAA Baseball Coaches Poll | USA Today Sports". USA TODAY. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  13. ↑ "College Baseball Top 25 Rankings". www.baseballamerica.com. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  14. ↑ "NCBWA > News > Top 30 Poll". www.sportswriters.net. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Rankings Archives • D1Baseball". d1baseball.com. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
  16. ↑ "Rankings | Perfect Game USA". perfectgame.org. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
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