2026 Western Carolina Catamounts baseball team

2026 Western Carolina Catamounts baseball
ConferenceSouthern Conference
Record36–23 (14–7 SoCon)
Head coach
  • Alan Beck (4th season)
Assistant coaches
  • Seth Graves (4th season)
  • Nate Stocum
Hitting coachJeff Korte (4th season)
Pitching coachDusty White (3rd season)
Home stadiumHennon Stadium
2026 Southern Conference baseball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
Mercer ‍†‍‍ 15–6 .71444–15 .746
Western Carolina ‍‍‍ 14–7 .66736–23 .610
Samford ‍‍‍ 12–9 .57131–25 .554
Wofford ‍‍‍ 12–9 .57134–22 .607
The Citadel ‍‍‡‍y 11–10 .52436–26 .581
East Tennessee State ‍‍‍ 10–11 .47630–23 .566
UNC Greensboro ‍‍‍ 7–14 .33323–33 .411
VMI ‍‍‍ 3–18 .14328–27 .509
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of May 31, 2026[1]
Rankings from D1Baseball

The 2026 Western Carolina Catamounts baseball team represents Western Carolina University during the 2026 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Catamounts play their home games at Ronnie G. Childress Field at Hennon Stadium. They are led by fourth-year head coach, Alan Beck.

Preseason

Coaches poll

The coaches poll was released on February 5, 2026. WCU was selected to finish fifth in the conference.[2]

SoCon coaches poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Samford45 (4)
2Mercer44 (3)
3ETSU38 (1)
4The Citadel30
5Western Carolina24
6UNCG16
7VMI14
8Wofford13

Awards and honors

Preseason SoCon awards and honors

Preseason All-SoCon Team[2]
Player No. Position Class Designation
Davis Wright31SPSeniorFirst Team
Trent Turner7SSGraduateFirst Team
Trey Spees6DHSophomoreFirst Team
Owen Austin33RPSeniorSecond Team
Ryan White12RPSeniorSecond Team

Personnel

Roster

2026 Western Carolina Catamounts baseball team
PlayersCoaches
#Pos.NameB/THeightWeightYearHome town
1 OF Elijah Smith R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Jr Warner Robins, GA
2 OF Yates Sikes L/L 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 175 lb (79 kg) RS So High Point, NC
3 INF Jaylen Jones R/R 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) RS Fr Loganville, GA
4 INF Jackson Lyda L/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) So Fletcher, NC
5 RHP Mason Snyder R/R 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Jr Ocilla, GA
6 INF Trey Spees L/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) So Denver, NC
7 INF Trent Turner R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Gr Waynesville, NC
8 C Cam Murray R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 205 lb (93 kg) RS Sr Fredericksburg, VA
9 RHP Kaden Fuller R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) RS So King, NC
10 LHP Evan Myers L/L 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Fr Denver, NC
11 UTL Cole Jones L/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) RS Sr Champaign, IL
12 LHP Ryan White L/L 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Sr Randleman, NC
14 INF Mason Holton R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Gr Overland Park, KS
15 C Noah Quarless R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) RS So Winston-Salem, NC
16 OF Walker Fox L/L 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) So Canton, NC
17 RHP Shane Huntsberger R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) RS Jr Coral Springs, FL
18 INF Carson Wallace R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Fr Asheville, NC
19 UTL Josh Ossiander R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jr Northampton, PA
20 LHP Jacob Arnberger L/L 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 205 lb (93 kg) So Atlanta, GA
21 RHP Colton Starling R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 205 lb (93 kg) RS So Marshville, NC
22 RHP Carter Burnette R/R 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 240 lb (109 kg) So Asheville, NC
25 LHP Scott Templeton L/L 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Gr Mt. Pleasant, SC
26 RHP Davis Budd R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jr Acworth, GA
27 OF Wyatt Stanley L/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) RS So High Point, NC
28 RHP James Fordham R/R 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Jr Chester, GA
29 C Carlos Diaz R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Fr Youngsville, NC
30 C Turner Gross R/R 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Fr St. Petersburg, FL
31 LHP Davis Wright L/L 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 190 lb (86 kg) Sr Ridgeway, SC
32 RHP Griffin Guinther R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jr Roswell, GA
33 LHP Owen Austin L/L 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Sr Easley, SC
34 OF Brody Raleigh R/R 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) 200 lb (91 kg) Jr Endwell, NY
35 RHP Bryant Kimbrell R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 230 lb (104 kg) So West End, NC
36 INF Marshall McGowan R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 230 lb (104 kg) Fr Forest City, NC
37 RHP Bryce Davidson R/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 220 lb (100 kg) RS So Fletcher, NC
39 OF Dominic Robinson R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Fr Denver, NC
40 RHP Davis Jabaley R/R 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) Fr Dunwoody, GA
41 LHP Trey Wheeler L/L 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) RS So Melbourne, FL
42 RHP Ryan Perzanowski R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Fr Fawn Grove, PA
43 RHP Deegan Randall R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Fr Candler, NC
44 OF Caden Haywood R/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 250 lb (113 kg) RS Fr Harrisburg, NC
46 RHP Caleb Williams R/R 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) RS So Bethlehem, NC
47 INF Jackson Godfrey L/R 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 220 lb (100 kg) RS Fr Greensboro, NC
48 RHP John Lobs R/R 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) So Winston-Salem, NC
50 RHP Tyler Oaks L/R 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 235 lb (107 kg) Fr Madisonville, TN
— LHP Gavin Maines Current redshirt L/L 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 210 lb (95 kg) So Yadkinville, NC
Head coach

Alan Beck

Assistant coach(es)

Seth Graves
Nate Stocum
Jeff Korte
Dusty White

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

Roster
Last update: April 23, 2026

Game log

2026 Western Carolina Catamounts baseball game log
(Overall: 36–23; Conference: 14–7); (Home: 21–7; Away: 12–12; Neutral: 3–4)
Regular season (35–21)
February (7–3)
(Home: 6–1; Away: 0–1; Neutral: 1–1)
DateTime (EST)OpponentRankTVVenueScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceOverall recordSoCon record
February 134:05 p.m.George Washington*ESPN+Hennon Stadium
Cullowhee, NC		W
7–5(10)		Austin
(1–0)		Bruno
(0–1)		—7891–0—
February 141:05 p.m.George Washington*Hennon StadiumW
13–4		Burnette
(1–0)		Cutler
(0–1)		—8022–0—
February 144:35 p.m.George Washington*Hennon StadiumW
5–4		Fordham
(1–0)		Harris
(0–1)		—5983–0—
February 173:00 p.m.at USC Upstate*ESPN+Cleveland S. Harley Park
Spartanburg, SC		L
0–17		Kaplan
(1–0)		Huntsberger
(0–1)		Kirby
(1)		2153–1—
February 204:05 p.m.Bowling Green*ESPN+Hennon StadiumW
4–3		Snyder
(1–0)		Lotz
(0–1)		Austin
(1)		6974–1—
February 211:05 p.m.Bowling Green*ESPN+Hennon StadiumL
5–6		Kress
(1–0)		Budd
(0–1)		Kade
(1)		7284–2—
February 214:35 p.m.Bowling Green*ESPN+Hennon StadiumW
5–0		Myers
(1–0)		Heffernan
(0–1)		—7195–2—
February 244:05 p.m.Akron*ESPN+Hennon StadiumW
12–2(8)		Oaks
(1–0)		Beck
(0–1)		—3296–2—
Keith LeClair Classic
February 273:00 p.m.vs. Troy*Clark–LeClair Stadium
Greenville, NC		W
4–3		Snyder
(2–0)		Gross
(0–1)		Austin
(2)		4,2777–2—
February 2812:00 p.m.vs. Rutgers*Clark–LeClair StadiumL
3–9		Konstantinovsk
(2–0)		Burnette
(1–1)		—5,3727–3—
March (11–9)
(Home: 6–3; Away: 4–5; Neutral: 1–1)
DateTime (EDT)OpponentRankTVVenueScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceOverall recordSoCon record
Keith LeClair Classic
March 13:30 p.m.at East Carolina*ESPN+Clark–LeClair StadiumW
2–0		Myers
(2–0)		Weber
(0–1)		Austin
(3)		5,4118–3—
March 43:00 p.m.at No. 8 Georgia*SECN+Foley Field
Athens, GA		W
10–9		Kimbrell
(1–0)		Ellisen
(0–1)		—1,1559–3—
March 612:00 p.m.vs. Radford*Hayes Stadium
Charlotte, NC		L
1–7		Quintana
(3–0)		Wright
(0–1)		—1899–4—
March 712:30 p.m.vs. Radford*Hayes StadiumW
10–0(7)		Snyder
(3–0)		Steinhaus
(1–3)		—35410–4—
March 74:00 p.m.at Charlotte*ESPN+Hayes StadiumL
0–4		Munn
(3–0)		Burnette
(1–2)		—84210–5—
March 81:00 p.m.at Charlotte*ESPN+Hayes StadiumL
4–7		Carson
(2–0)		Myers
(2–1)		—73210–6—
Old Mountain Jug Series
March 106:00 p.m.at Appalachain State*ESPN+Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium
Boone, NC		W
13–3		Kimbrell
(2–0)		Tibbett
(0–2)		—42511–6—
March 125:05 p.m.Morehead State*SECN+Hennon StadiumL
5–8		Wells
(2–1)		Fordham
(1–1)		—32611–7—
March 135:05 p.m.Morehead State*ESPN+Hennon StadiumW
11–0(7)		Burnette
(2–2)		Miller
(0–1)		—45212–7—
March 142:05 p.m.Morehead State*ESPN+Hennon StadiumW
13–4		Wright
(1–1)		Hawks
(1–2)		—62113–7—
March 151:05 p.m.Morehead State*ESPN+Hennon StadiumW
8–7		Kimbrell
(3–0)		Hayes
(1–1)		—58614–7—
March 183:05 p.m.Gardner–Webb*Hennon StadiumW
8–4		Fordham
(2–1)		Gentile
(0–1)		—32115–7—
March 205:05 p.m.SamfordESPN+Hennon StadiumL
0–11(7)		Lee
(1–0)		Burnette
(2–3)		—78615–80–1
March 212:00 p.m.SamfordHennon StadiumW
11–9		Wright
(2–1)		Blasche
(0–5)		—1,06716–81–1
March 221:05 p.m.SamfordESPN+Hennon StadiumW
10–9		Kimbrell
(4–0)		Spurrier
(1–2)		Austin
(4)		80117–82–1
Mountain Rivalry
March 244:00 p.m.at UNC Asheville*ESPN+Greenwood Field
Asheville, NC		L
4–8		Hall
(2–0)		Oaks
(1–1)		—47517–9—
March 276:00 p.m.at The CitadelESPN+Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park
Charleston, SC		L
3–4		Buffkin
(2–0)		Fordham
(2–2)		—62317–102–2
March 282:00 p.m.at The CitadelSECN+Joseph P. Riley Jr. ParkL
9–13		Ballard
(3–1)		Budd
(1–1)		—1,13517–112–3
March 291:00 p.m.at The CitadelSECN+Joseph P. Riley Jr. ParkW
16–3(7)		Myers
(3–1)		Deacon
(0–1)		—71118–113–3
March 315:05 p.m.Presbyterian*ESPN+Hennon StadiumL
5–6		Meredith
(2–1)		Oaks
(1–2)		Hampton
(1)		12618–12—
April (11–4)
(Home; 6–2; Away: 5–2)
DateTime (EDT)OpponentRankTVVenueScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceOverall recordSoCon record
April 26:00 p.m.at Winthrop*ESPN+The Winthrop Ballpark
Rock Hill, SC		W
15–7		Budd
(1–2)		Gilley
(4–3)		Snyder
(1)		48219–12—
April 36:05 p.m.at Winthrop*ESPN+The Winthrop BallparkL
4–6		McNeely
(5–0)		Burnette
(2–4)		—48519–13—
April 42:05 p.m.at Winthrop*The Winthrop BallparkW
7–6		Lobs
(1–0)		Guzman
(0–2)		Synder
(2)		58320–13—
April 75:00 p.m.USC Upstate*Hennon StadiumL
11–18		Land
(1–1)		Oaks
(1–3)		—13420–14—
April 105:00 p.m.MercerESPN+Hennon StadiumW
10–6		Snyder
(4–0)		Ackerman
(2–2)		—75221–144–3
April 113:00 p.m.MercerESPN+Hennon StadiumW
17–9		Budd
(2–2)		Hugas
(6–2)		Lobs
(2)		1,21622–145–3
April 121:00 p.m.MercerESPN+Hennon StadiumW
5–4		Fordham
(3–2)		Johnson
(2–2)		Fuller
(1)		62323–146–3
Old Mountain Jug Series
April 145:00 p.m.Appalachian State*ESPN+Hennon StadiumW
14–4(7)		Austin
(2–0)		Barozzino
(0–3)		—81124–14—
April 176:00 p.m.at VMIESPN+Gray–Minor Stadium
Lexington, VA		L
8–10		Spiegel
(1–2)		Burnette
(2–5)		—22224–156–4
April 182:00 p.m.at VMIESPN+Gray–Minor StadiumW
18–5(7)		Synder
(5–0)		Tyndall
(2–2)		—19525–157–4
April 191:00 p.m.at VMIESPN+Gray–Minor StadiumW
4–3(10)		Fordham
(4–2)		Sipe
(4–2)		Fuller
(2)		18726–158–4
April 216:00 p.m.at Gardner–Webb*SECNJohn Henry Moss Stadium
Boiling Springs, NC		W
11–1(8)		Austin
(3–0)		Hausner
(2–2)		—7927–15—
April 243:00 p.m.ETSUHennon StadiumW 14–10Snyder
(6–0)		Rolison
(3–1)		—22728–159–4
April 246:00 p.m.ETSUHennon StadiumL 3–4Harpster
(6–1)		Fordham
(4–3)		Curless
(3)		78228–169–5
April 261:00 p.m.ETSUESPN+Hennon StadiumW
13–2(7)		Myers (4–1)Jones (3–2)—61929–1610–5
May (6–5)
(Home; 3–1; Away: 3–4)
DateTime (EDT)OpponentRankTVVenueScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceOverall recordSoCon record
May 15:30 p.m.at WoffordRussell C. King Field
Spartanburg, SC		L
1–6		Bouchard
(8–2)		Burnette
(2–6)		—38729–1710–6
May 22:00 p.m.at WoffordESPN+Russell C. King FieldW
3–2		Snyder
(7–0)		Little
(3–2)		—47930–1711–6
May 31:00 p.m.at WoffordESPN+Russell C. King FieldW
7–5		Myers
(5–1)		Laughlin
(1–1)		Lobs
(2)		46231–1712–6
Mountain Rivalry
May 55:00 p.m.UNC Asheville*WYCWHennon StadiumW
4–1		Wright
(3–1)		Boesen
(1–3)		Arnberger
(1)		55232–17—
May 86:00 p.m.at Wake Forest*ACCNXDavid F. Couch Ballpark
Winston-Salem, NC		L
1–6		Levonas
(9–3)		Burnette
(2–7)		Johnston
(1)		2,37032–18—
May 96:00 p.m.at Wake Forest*ACCNXDavid F. Couch BallparkL
2–14(7)		Dressler
(7–1)		Fordham
(4–4)		—2,61432–19—
May 101:00 p.m.at Wake Forest*ACCNXDavid F. Couch BallparkL
5–9		Harsch
(3–2)		Snyder
(7–1)		—2,47632–20—
May 126:00 p.m.at Presbyterian*The Plex
Clinton, SC		W 14–3(7)Kimbrell (5–0)Vann (0–2)—19333–20—
May 145:00 p.m.UNCGESPN+Hennon StadiumL 1–2Chapman (4–6)Burnette (2–8)Horton (6)53233–2112–7
May 155:00 p.m.UNCGESPN+Hennon StadiumW 4–1Fordham (5–4)Dear (2–3)—77434–2113–7
May 162:00 p.m.UNCGESPN+Hennon StadiumW 7–2Myers (6–1)Shuey (2–7)—82835–2114–7
Postseason (1–2)
DateTime (EDT)OpponentRankTVVenueScoreWinLossSaveAttendanceOverall recordTournament record
May 211:00 p.m.vs. (3) Samford(2)ESPN+Fluor Field
Greenville, SC		L 5–9Whitney (3–0)Burnette (2–9)—57235–220–1
May 218:40 p.m.vs. (7) UNC Greensboro(2)ESPN+Fluor FieldW 4–3Wright (4–1)Shuey (2–8)—31536–221–1
May 227:15 p.m.vs. (3) Samford(2)ESPN+Fluor FieldL 1–5Spurrier (4–3)Snyder (7–2)—58436–231–2
"#" represents ranking. All rankings from D1Baseball Poll on the date of the contest.
"()" represents postseason seeding in the SoCon Tournament or NCAA Regional, respectively.
  = Win,   = Loss,   = Canceled/Postponed
Bold = Western Carolina Catamounts team member
* = Non-Conference Game
Schedule Source:[3]

Schedule Notes:

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: — = Not ranked
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
Coaches'[4]——*——————————————
Baseball America[5]————————————————
NCBWA†[6]————————————————
D1Baseball[7]————————————————
Perfect Game[8]————————————————

† 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. ↑ "SoCon Baseball 2026 Standings". SoConSports.com. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Samford Picked to Win 2026 SoCon Baseball Title". soconsports.com. February 5, 2026. Retrieved April 15, 2026.
  3. ↑ "2026 Baseball Schedule". Western Carolina Catamounts. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  4. ↑ "NCAA Baseball Coaches Poll | USA Today Sports". USA TODAY. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  5. ↑ "College Baseball Top 25 Rankings". www.baseballamerica.com. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  6. ↑ "NCBWA > News > Top 30 Poll". www.sportswriters.net. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Rankings Archives • D1Baseball". d1baseball.com. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Rankings | Perfect Game USA". perfectgame.org. Retrieved April 21, 2026.
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