(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - Entering his third year at the helm, Head Baseball Coach Barry Craddock looks to continue the upward trajectory of Wilmington Baseball in 2026. Craddock will be joined by first-year Assistant Coach Luke Chappie, a former pitcher with over 200.0 innings pitched in his career for the Quakers. Brad Lightfoot returns for his third season as an Assistant Coach.  

"Our goal coming into this year is to once again, double our win total. We went from 6 in my first year, to 12, and now the goal is 24," emphasizes Craddock. "It's an aspirational goal, and we'll have to stay healthy to make that jump. Based on what I've seen our guys do over the fall and winter, I think it is becoming more and more reasonable."  

"There is a lot of enthusiasm throughout the team. We are further along, and it is clearly year three," explains Craddock. "We have enough returning players who know what their jobs are, who are better at doing their jobs. They have a lot more confidence in each other and themselves in putting forward more competitive performances against any competition."  

Returners  

Coach Craddock returns with a strong dose of veteran presence and experience, providing stability throughout the lineup.  

Graduate student Dominic Depa is expected to be the Quakers' starting shortstop. "He will anchor the lineup, as well as the infield," adds Craddock. Depa started all 36 games last year en route to earning Honorable Mention All-OAC. The veteran hit 14 doubles, sixth most in the conference, and 18 extra-base hits. He led the team in multiple offensive categories, including a .915 on base plus slugging (OPS), .496 slugging percentage (SLG%), and .419 on base percentage (OBP)  

Caleb Fugate will open the season at second base. "Caleb and Dominic could switch. I feel good about the two of them defensively with their versatility." Fugate appeared in 14 games last season, making seven starts.  

At third base, Kyle Jennings will hold down the hot corner. "He will be in our top five within the batting order," says Craddock. Jennings has been a mainstay for the Quakers, starting 77 games over the last three years. Last season, the third basemen made 28 starts and was second on the team with 16 runs batted in, 17 walks, and a .412 on-base percentage.  

Slugger Max Gildea will open the year in the cleanup spot at first base for Craddock. The imposing 6'6' junior has started in 71 games for Wilmington in his first two seasons. Gildea was second on the team with nine doubles and two home runs last year, with nine multi-hit games.  

In the outfield, the green and white return their three starters. "We return our starting outfield from last year," exclaims Craddock. "J.C. Calhoun in left, Brayden Chambers in center, and JP Donelan in right. Importantly, we have better depth at every position than we have ever had. The competition has been great behind them, and really at every position."  

Calhoun earned Honorable Mention All-OAC last season after leaping forward offensively. The left fielder started 33 games and led the Quakers with his .322 batting average, 39 hits, and two triples. Calhoun was tied for ninth in the conference with 16 stolen bases, providing speed and power in the corner.  

Chambers will patrol center field for Coach Craddock. The sophomore appeared in 33 games last season, making 32 starts. He had four multi-hit games and was tied for second on the team with 19 runs scored.  

In right field, Donelan returns after starting 32 games last year. The junior stole five bases last season and will also appear on the mound after making six starts in his sophomore campaign.  

The designated hitter (DH) competition has been back and forth between sophomore Avery Battle and junior transfer Brody Julian. "The DH spot is an ongoing battle. For Brody, I have high hopes offensively, since he is one of our few left-handed hitters and he really handles the bat well." The two of them are right in line to be the DH from game one.  

Battle made 32 starts in his freshman season, drawing 14 walks, good for third on the team. He had 25 hits and scored 17 runs last year.  

Behind the plate, there is a three-way competition. Sophomore Hayden Koonce is the frontrunner; fellow sophomore Ethan Bunce and freshman Jake Stephens are in line. "I see them all getting time until somebody separates themselves," explains Craddock. Koonce made 15 starts last year, tallying eight hits and 11 defensive assists. Bunce started 19 gams and recorded 109 putouts with 12 hit by pitches, 11 walks, and 10 hits.  

On the Mound  

"On the mound, we have seven guys who are competing for starting roles," says Craddock.  

Seniors Trent Mendenhall and Brad Miller are two veteran pitchers. Mendenhall made eight starts in 2025 and led the team with 39 strikeouts. The southpaw was second on the team with 49 pitches. He will begin the season as the #2 starter. Miller made 16 appearances last year, pitching in 23 innings.  

Junior Nathan Powers has performed well in the preseason and will be the opening day starter. "He has been one of the best guys consistently so far in the preseason," proclaims Craddock. The junior right-hander led the conference with four saves last year, making 15 appearances on the rubber and striking out 18 batters over 17.1 innings of work.  

Juniors Michael Cibulskas, Donelan, Gildea, and transfer Bobby Fleming are all on track to start for Craddock. Gildea started nine games last season, pitching over 40 innings and leading the team in earned run average (ERA). He will start game 3 vs. Olivet on opening weekend. 

Cibulskas made two starts in 2024.Donelan is also in the running after making 14 appearances in two years and throwing 32.1 innings last season. Fleming could also be the team's closer after an terrific pre-season. 

In the Bullpen  

Craddock has picked out his primary relief candidates to open the campaign.  

"Dawson Blunt has pitched the best he has so far," says Craddock. Blunt, a senior left-hander, appeared in 10 games last year.  

Logan Frigyes has looked good, according to Coach Craddock. The towering 6'4" righty made 10 appearances last season.  

Freshman Josh Ruwe has stood out. "He has been electric when he has command. He has dominant stuff."  

Brent Case, a senior right-hander, is one of Craddock's most trusted arms. "He is going to pitch frequently and is someone I can trust with the baseball. He can throw it in with multiple pitches." Case made six appearances in 2025.  

Sophomore southpaw Liam Denehy expects to see more relief work. "Liam, a second lefty, adding him to the pen will see a lot more time," adds Craddock.  

Freshmen Sully Wiswell, Bodie Abbott, and Javier Serantes may also appear in relief.  

Reserve Arms  

There are multiple other pitchers Coach Craddock expects to get some work this season.  

Corey Moore, a senior left-hander, appeared in eight games last season. "He is coming off an injury, but we are hoping to get him back early in the season," mentions Craddock.  

A pair of sophomores, Xavier McDougle and Nathan Schnell, will also see time. McDougle, a righty, made seven appearances last season. Schnell, another left-handed option, made two appearances in 2025.  

A group of freshmen including Eli Davis, Jacob Day, Anthony DeMassimo, Jarrett Morris, Ethan Swett, and Carter Young, are all in line to see some action.  

Hitters to Watch  

Zane Matthews, a freshman from Leesburg, Ohio, has stood out in the preseason. "Zane is impressing every day that he swings. He is a new outfielder, coming as a high school infielder. He has seasoning to do defensively, but it won't take very long," says Craddock.  

Eli Hollingsworth is Craddock's Swiss Army Knife. "He's a super utility guy. He can go everywhere." The junior appeared in 28 games last season, making 19 starts with 15 hits and 12 runs scored.  

Juniors Evan Brauch, James Crowe, Gabe McDowell, and sophomore Eli Alexander will be options for the lineup as well.  

Other hitters that provide depth include Cade Miller at third base, Ethan Hagan and Serantes as a DH, along with Rylan Kellenberger and John McElhinny behind the plate. Jackson Hoop's baserunning ability will earn him time, and Morris will hit as well.  

Schedule Notes  

The Quakers' Opening Day is set for Saturday, February 28, against The University of Olivet at Tewksbury-Delaney Field.  

Wilmington's Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener is on Saturday, March 21, at home against Baldwin Wallace University.  

Wilmington will conclude its regular season at home against Ohio Wesleyan University on Sunday, May 3.