SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Built on balance and competitive toughness, the Lawrence Tech University Blue Devils men's baseball program enters the 2026 season looking to turn last year's close contests into a breakthrough run in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference. Coming off a 19-22 overall mark and a 13-15 record in WHAC play in 2025, the Blue Devils were picked fifth in the conference's preseason poll, positioning them firmly in the league's contender tier as they prepare for another demanding spring.
The Blue Devils will again lean on a versatile core that reflects the program's identity: athletic, interchangeable position players and a pitching staff built around command and competitiveness. Right-hander and infielder Bess Brayden is a key two-way piece expected to help stabilize the rotation while offering infield depth. Fellow right-hander and utility option Zach Yeip adds another flexible arm and glove, with experience across the infield, outfield and on the mound giving Head Coach Stan Eldridge options as he manages match ups and lineup construction.
Offensively, Lawrence Tech's identity centers on balance rather than a single power threat. First baseman and outfielder Andrew Gingle, a left-handed hitter and thrower, provides a middle-of-the-order presence capable of driving in runs and anchoring the defense at first. Catcher and infielder Brady Rogers brings right-handed pop and positional versatility, while infielder Ty Schornak and outfielder Luke Weinberger strengthen the everyday core with athleticism and defensive reliability. With several players able to move around the diamond, the Blue Devils are built to adapt to opponent strengths and in-season injuries.
Eldridge and his veteran staff — including assistants Tom Compian, Anthony Hermelyn, Ryan Hilton, Jim Mancuso, Anthony Puente and Athletic Trainer Rachel Blonde — will look to sharpen the team's late-game execution after flirting with a .500 record a season ago. The fifth-place nod in the WHAC preseason poll reflects respect for the program's consistency while also signaling room to climb. Improving on a 13-15 conference mark will likely hinge on limiting free bases on the mound, turning routine plays behind the pitching staff and finding timely hits in tight league games.
The 2026 campaign opens with an early road test on Feb. 14 in Mount Vernon, Ohio, where Lawrence Tech visits Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio) in a non conference match up that should immediately gauge the Blue Devils' readiness. From there, the schedule builds toward a key stretch in early March, when the team heads to Florida for the RussMatt tournament beginning March 5. The annual spring-break event will provide multiple games in a compact window, giving the staff a chance to evaluate pitching depth, solidify defensive alignments and finalize a batting order before the heart of WHAC play.
With a returning core that understands the league grind and a preseason ranking that places them within striking distance of the top of the conference, the Blue Devils enter 2026 with measured optimism. If their versatility and pitching depth translate into cleaner performances in close games, Lawrence Tech has an opportunity to move beyond the middle of the WHAC pack and contend for a higher seed in the conference race by season's end.
