QUINCY, Ill. – Opening weekend is here for Quincy Baseball, and the Hawks will look to pair experienced leadership with an influx of new talent as they begin the 2026 campaign.

Picked sixth in the GLVC preseason poll, Quincy returns the core of last year's lineup while adding a large and versatile transfer class along with an athletic freshman group that could make an immediate impact.

Now entering year five under head coach Matt Schissel, the Hawks aim to rebound after their first sub-.500 season since 2001. With proven production throughout the order and added depth on the mound, Quincy believes the pieces are in place to take a step forward this spring.

Key Returners – Position Players

The Hawks return one of the most experienced infields in the conference, led by senior shortstop Joe Huffman, who started all 53 games last year and slashed .296/.409/.529 with 11 doubles, 11 home runs, 44 RBIs, and a team-high 17 hit-by-pitches. His durability and steady glove make him the everyday anchor up the middle.

At first base, Harry Fandre quietly delivered one of the most efficient seasons on the roster. The redshirt junior hit .322 with seven doubles and six home runs while posting a .432 on-base percentage. Defensively, he committed just one error in 222 chances, consistently saving throws with his glove.

Isaiah Fudge returns after starting 43 games at second, batting .305 with nine doubles, six homers, and 26 RBIs, giving the Hawks another reliable bat in the lineup.

At third base, David Broughton continues to be one of the most dangerous hitters in the GLVC. The junior led Quincy with 59 RBIs, third-most in the conference, while adding 12 doubles, nine home runs, 23 walks, and 18 stolen bases. His 12th-inning walk-off homer against Colorado School of Mines was one of the season's signature moments.

Behind the plate, Byron Blaise provides veteran leadership and defensive control of the running game, throwing out 12 runners while adding 17 RBIs offensively.

In the outfield, Ben Dahlof emerged as the table-setter, leading the team with a .390 batting average and .462 OBP while swiping 21 bags and scoring 44 runs.

Key Returners – Pitchers

The Hawks return multiple arms that logged significant innings a year ago.

Right-hander Kade Ruffner served as Quincy's game-one starter, making 14 starts and striking out 56 hitters across 58.2 innings. Graduate righty Ben Draeger returns after going 3-1 with a 4.76 ERA in five starts before injury cut his season short.

Out of the bullpen, Logan Mueller adds experience after appearing in 17 games out of the bullpen last year, while senior Roman Harrison developed into Quincy's most consistent arm late in the year. Harrison made 16 appearances (eight starts), posting a team-best 4.10 ERA with 72 strikeouts and limiting opponents to a .226 average. Over his final six conference starts, he allowed no more than three runs in any outing.

Transfer Class Adds Immediate Depth

Behind the plate, Patrick Mendiola joins the program from Saint Louis University, bringing Division I experience and defensive reliability. Mendiola appeared in 32 games last season for the Billikens and handled 160 putouts while managing the running game, giving Quincy another steady option to work with the pitching staff.

On the mound, left-hander Ryan Sell arrives after stops at Rock Valley College and Lindenwood University. Sell was a consistent starter at the junior college level, logging over 100 innings across two seasons, and provides a valuable left-handed look that can factor into either the rotation or bullpen.

Several right-handers strengthen the Hawks' pitching depth. Jayson Shorb was effective out of the bullpen at Missouri Western, posting a 3.95 ERA with two saves while limiting hitters to a .229 average. Jared Rodriguez struck out 26 batters in 23.1 innings at John Wood, and Ethan McMasters proved to be a reliable late-inning arm for the Blazers with five saves and a 3.68 ERA. Joe Swanson adds size and experience to the staff, while lefty Michael Infranca provides another matchup option out of the bullpen after time at the Division I level with Texas A&M–Corpus Christi.

The Hawks also bolstered their lineup with several position-player transfers who bring proven offensive production. Jace Figuereo adds speed and on-base ability after hitting .291 with a .409 OBP and a perfect 7-for-7 mark on stolen bases last season. Payton Mansfield, an NJCAA All-American at John Wood, brings power potential after totaling more than 120 RBIs and 70 extra-base hits in two junior college seasons, and has experience at the Division I level after spending last season with Jacksonville State University.

Corner infielder Quinn Argetsinger arrives after a standout career at Southwestern Illinois, highlighted by a .360 freshman campaign and a strong plate approach with more walks than strikeouts, while Ryne Crum posted back-to-back .340-plus seasons at Spoon River and gives Quincy another disciplined bat capable of driving in runs.

With experience ranging from junior college standouts to Division I contributors, the transfer class gives the Hawks both immediate impact players and the depth needed to compete throughout a long GLVC season.

Freshmen to Watch

Freshmen Keegan Farnaus, Ari Fivelson, and Jackson Miller bring athleticism and positional depth, while right-handers Tyler Lipka and Rocco Conrad provide additional arms to the staff.

Opening Weekend

Quincy opens the season with a four-game series against Christian Brothers University, now moved to USA Stadium in Millington, Tennessee, due to weather. First pitch is set for 11:00 AM Saturday.

With a veteran core and plenty of new faces pushing for innings, the Hawks enter the season with depth, experience, and competition at every position.