Central Washington enters 2026 looking to build on a competitive 25-26 season under head coach Desi Storey, the winningest skipper in program history. Now in his 35th season leading the Wildcats, Storey surpassed 700 career wins in 2024 and continues building a consistent contender in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Wildcats finished 15-17 in GNAC play in 2025, earning the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. With a deep roster of Pacific Northwest transfers and returning contributors, CWU aims for a stronger conference finish and another postseason appearance.
Offensive Departures
Central Washington loses significant production from 2025. GNAC Player of the Year Brandham Ponce led the offense with a .362 average, 19 home runs, and 65 RBI across 51 games. Marcus Manzardo (.322, 30 RBI) and Ben Leid (.311, 31 RBI) provided consistent middle-order production. Andrew Sharp (.308, 20 RBI), Baba Varner Jr. (.287, 20 RBI), and Justin Birch (.283, 27 RBI) add to the departures. Travis Helm (.287, 11 RBI) exits after 30 games behind the plate. Jake Felton and Trenton Love round out the losses. These exits remove veteran leadership and elite production throughout the lineup.
Returning Hitters
The Wildcats bring back limited but solid offensive pieces from 2025. Brady Hinkle hit .351 with 18 RBI in 33 games and returns as the starting catcher. Max Bledy (.333, 18 RBI) provides outfield stability and clutch production. Logan Blank (.289, 19 RBI) adds speed and outfield depth. Andre Garza (.238, 12 RBI) returns with power potential. Nolan Mowry saw limited action but is back. This small returning core creates opportunities for newcomers to claim starting roles immediately.
Incoming Hitters
New bats bring diverse backgrounds and immediate impact potential. NWAC transfers add experienced depth with Andrew Charron (Spokane Falls CC) and Ethan Buckley (Gonzaga transfer) providing infield and catching versatility. Sinclair Lee (Marshalltown CC), Kaiden Hernandez (Clark College), and Jake Lockwood (Everett CC) compete for infield spots. Conrad Henkel (Wenatchee Valley) brings outfield experience. The freshman class features Xavier Espindola (Bellarmine Prep), Jonathan Rominger (Ellensburg HS), and Logan Lipscomb (Emerald Ridge HS). Cam Costello returns as a redshirt freshman. The influx must replace significant departed production.
Pitching Departures
The staff loses key innings from 2025. Daniel Charron (5.70 ERA, 77.1 IP, 13 GS) led the team in starts and innings. Jonathan Garza II (5.80 ERA, 71.1 IP, 13 GS) provided a strong strikeout rate as a starter. Devin MacWatters, Dakota Todd, and Gabe Bustamante depart from the bullpen. These exits remove roughly 195 innings and the top two starters from 2025.
Returning Pitchers
Central Washington brings back several arms with 2025 experience. Logan Pierce (7.59 ERA, 53.1 IP) returns with starter experience. Garet Hagy (4.74 ERA, 24.2 IP) brings the staff’s best returning ERA and bullpen reliability. Braden Zadow and Kellen Berg add depth with versatility. Drake Anderson rounds out the returning group. The staff needs newcomers to step up immediately given the innings lost.
Incoming Pitchers
New arms bring critical depth to replace departed starters. Transfers Camdyn Martindale (St. Peter’s), Derek Hotzler (Cumberlands-KY transfer), and Ethan Thomas (Bellevue College) compete for rotation spots. Austin Cupic (San Francisco transfer), Jackson Burtis (Pierce College), Zachary Reynolds (Blue Mountain CC), Nolan Soderstrom (Big Bend CC), and Braeden Fagnant (Pierce College) add experienced arms. Two-way players Lance Mittelman (St. Peter’s transfer) and Ethan Swenson (Pacific-OR transfer) provide flexibility. Freshmen Jacob Nadeau (Timberline HS) and Kyler Malnar (Puyallup HS) bring high school upside. Storey has depth to build a more consistent staff.
Outlook
Central Washington enters year 34 under Desi Storey targeting a return to the GNAC tournament semifinals. With massive roster turnover, the Wildcats rely on transfers and newcomers to fill departed production. Replacing GNAC Player of the Year Brandham Ponce’s elite offense remains the biggest challenge. The schedule opens with four games at Stanislaus State (Jan 31-Feb 1) before road series at Cal State San Bernardino and Cal State East Bay. The home opener features Montana State Billings on Feb 27-28. Key conference series include Northwest Nazarene (home: Mar 27-28, away: Apr 30-May 1) and Western Oregon (away: Mar 7-8, home: Apr 10-11). Year 34 under Storey continues Central’s steady presence in one of Division II’s toughest conferences.
