Series Preview: Baylor Opens Season against Youngstown State

WACO, Texas – Baylor baseball will open its season against the Youngstown State Penguins for the first weekend series of the spring at Baylor Ballpark. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m. Due to the threat of inclement weather in Waco on Sunday, Saturday will be a doubleheader, with game two of the series starting at 2 p.m. and the series finale slated for 5 p.m. All three games will be streamed on ESPN+.

Baylor Bears

2024 Record: 22-31

Head Coach: Mitch Thompson

• Career Record: 413-202 (12th season) 
• Record at Baylor: 41-64 (3rd season) 

2025 Projections

• D1Baseball: 12th in the Big 12
• Coaches Poll: 13th in the Big 12

Youngstown State Penguins

2024 Record: 16-44

Head Coach: Trevor Charpie

• Career Record: 0-0 (1st season) 
• Record at Youngstown State: 0-0 (1st season) 

2025 Projections

• D1Baseball: 6th in the Horizon League
• Coaches Poll: 5th in the Horizon League

Projected Starting Lineup

• RF: Enzo Apodaca (RSr.): (.333 BAVG, .415 OB%, 210 AB, 53 GP)
• 2B: Jack Little (RSo.): (Injured in 2024)
• DH: Hunter Simmons (RSr.): (.353 BAVG, .421 OB%, 17 AB, 5 GP)
• LF: Wesley Jordan (Sr.): (.331 BAVG, .455 OB%, 133 AB, 40 GP)
• 1B: Gavin Brzozowski (RJr.): (.500 BAVG, .415 OB%, 210 AB, 53 GP)
• 3B: Hunter Teplanszky (Sr.): (.333 BAVG, .667 OB%, 2 AB, 1 GP)
• CF Ty Johnson (Sr.): (.313 BAVG, .393 OB%, 198 AB, 49 GP)
• SS: Tyriq Kemp (Sr.): (.238 BAVG, .349 OB%, 160 AB, 53 GP)
• C: Cortlan Castle (Sr.): (.273 BAVG, .331 OB%, 132 AB, 43 GP)

Projected Bench

• C: Brayden Buchanan (So.): (.159 BAVG, .315 OB%, 44 AB, 23 GP)
• C: JJ Kennett (So.): (.056 BAVG, .056 OB%, 18 AB, 12 GP)
• INF: Travis Sanders (RSo.): (.242 BAVG, .390 OB%, 33 AB, 13 GP)
• INF: Will Pendergrass (RSr.): (.238 BAVG, .314 OB%, 63 AB, 19 GP)
• INF: Pearson Riebock (Fr.): (N/A)
• OF: Caleb Bergman (Jr.): (.255 BAVG, .368 OB%, 47 AB, 30 GP)

*2024 Stats: (BAVG = Batting Average, OB% = On-Base Percentage, AB = At-Bats, GP = Games Played)*

Probable Starting Pitchers

• BU SP 1 – LHP: Ethan Calder (Jr.); (3.23 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 55.2 IP, 21 APP)
• YSU SP 1 – RHP Jacob Gehring (Sr.); (4-7, 7.03 ERA)
• BU SP 2 – LHP: Bryson Bales (6Sr.); (4.21 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 68.1 IP, 13 APP)
• YSU SP 2 – RHP JJ Tylicki (RSr.); (Injured in 2024)
• BU SP 3 – RHP Cole Stasio (RSr.); (Injured in 2024)
• YSU SP 3 – RHP Phil Brennaman (RSr.); (0-0, 36.00 ERA)

*2024 Stats: (ERA = Earned Run Average, WHIP = Walks & Hits Per Inning Pitched, IP = Innings-Pitched, APP = Appearances)*

Top Quotes

Head coach Mitch Thompson on the depth of this year’s team:

• “For the first time since I’ve been here, I’m not going to feel hand-cuffed. What do I mean by that? It’s going to be about performance. You want to keep playing? Play hard. Play well. Execute. Get it done. Because I have other options. It’s going to be important for us as coaches to utilize that talent and put kids in the right positions where they can maximize their ability and showcase what they can do. We have more depth than we’ve ever had position player-wise.”

Catcher Cortlan Castle (Sr.) shares his thoughts on the team this season:

• “There’s so much confidence brewing right now in our team. We’re so excited. Everybody’s healthy. We have so many old guys. I think the difference-maker is there are a ton of leaders in-house right now. Everybody’s got on the train. This is my fourth year, and this is the most excited I’ve been. I’ve been excited every year, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

Right-handed pitcher Cole Stasio (Sr.) on coming back from injury and being in the starting rotation to start the season:

• “It’s extremely exciting. It’s a huge honor, but I think it’s something we prepared for all fall, and it’s something I’ve adjusted to – it’s not something new to me. I’m super excited about getting going and taking hold of that role and running with it.”

More Baseball Reading

• Preview: Veteran Lineup, Revamped Pitching Staff Look To Help Push Bears To Postseason
• Faith, Injury and Hope: The Resilient Return of Hunter Simmons
• Top Questions Surrounding Baylor Baseball Heading Into Mitch’s Thompson Third Season