CLAREMORE, Okla. – No. 10 Rogers State Baseball (38-13) will make history once again this season as it is set to host the NCAA Division II Baseball Central Regional Thursday-Sunday at the RCB Bank Sports Complex.
The No. 2 seed Hillcats will open play Thursday against No. 7 seed Missouri Southern at 2 p.m. The winner will face the winner of Game 2 between No. 3 seed Central Missouri and No. 6 seed Minnesota State on Friday at 2 p.m. The losing teams from Thursday will meet on Friday at 5 p.m. For the full schedule, visit
2026 NCAA Baseball Central Regional - Rogers State University Athletics.
DANCIN' LIKE IT IS 2019
For just the second time in program history, MIAA Coach of the Year
Chris Klimas' Hillcats are headed to the NCAA Tournament. Klimas is the program's all-time career wins leader with a 312-248 record.
In 2019, Rogers State baseball secured its spot in the tournament as the last-ever Heartland Conference Tournament champions, achieving victories over Arkansas-Fort Smith and St. Edward's University (twice).
They opened the NCAA Division II South Central II Regional with two ranked wins, defeating No. 19 Lincoln Christian and No. 4 Angelo State University. However, ASU took the next three games against RSU, including a 19-10 slugfest in the championship game.
Notably, the Hillcats were the NAIA World Series runner-up in 2012 and also reached the NAIA World Series the following season.
A GLANCE AT THE NATIONAL POLLS
The Hillcats were ranked in both the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) polls this week. They were ranked 18
th in the ABCA poll with 130 points and checked in 10
th in the NCBWA poll with 298 points.
HOME SWEET HOME
After seven games on the road, the Hillcats return to RCB Bank Sports Complex for the first time since April 22, when they defeated the UAFS Lions 8-3. RSU is 23-6 at home this season and aims to use its home-field advantage to get back on track after dropping six of its last seven contests.
WHAT A SEASON IT HAS BEEN
In the 2026 season, the Hillcats recorded their best season in NCAA Division II history, finishing second in the MIAA regular-season standings and securing the No. 2 seed in both the MIAA and NCAA tournaments.
The Hillcats achieved their highest tournament ranking after a strong regular season, concluding with a 38-12 overall record, including 26-10 in conference play. Notable accomplishments for the season include a program-tying 19-game winning streak and an all-time best national ranking of fifth. The team also recorded 13 run-rule victories and secured significant MIAA series wins against Central Missouri, Emporia State, Missouri Southern and Northwest Missouri State.
MIAA TOURNAMENT RECAP
Rogers State Baseball fell to Missouri Western 9-5 in the MIAA Tournament in Edmond last week. Missouri Western took an early lead with two runs in the first inning, but RSU responded with home runs from
Blake Conrad and
Andrew Ramirez, bringing the score to 4-3 by the fifth inning. However, the Griffons surged ahead with four runs in the sixth, including home runs from David De Hoyos, Luke Parmentier and Micah Kobuszewski, extending their lead to 8-4. RSU's
Zak Nelson and
Andres Contreras contributed late, but Missouri Western held on for the victory.
Dillon Dibrell struck out one in 5.0 innings for RSU, while
Elijah Knowlton allowed just one earned run in relief.
MEET THE HILLCATS
Senior
Andrew Ramirez was named to the All-MIAA First Team for the second consecutive year, this time recognized as a utility player. The Ramona, California, native started all 51 games this season in the middle infield, posting an impressive slash line of .327/.442/.505. He has recorded 66 hits, 55 RBIs, 54 runs and 37 walks in 202 plate appearances. Ramirez has also notched 11 extra-base hits, including 13 doubles, seven home runs and one triple. Furthermore, he was selected for the ABCA All-Defensive Team and received the MIAA Gold Glove award in 2025.
Senior
Andres Contreras was named to the All-MIAA Second Team as a designated hitter, marking his second consecutive selection. The Chula Vista, California native has excelled at the plate, posting a .374 batting average, a .479 on-base percentage and a .535 slugging percentage. He recorded 70 hits, along with 53 RBIs, 50 runs and 34 walks in 187 plate appearances. Of his hits, 17 have been for extra bases, including 10 doubles, six home runs and one triple. Contreras also earned MIAA Player of the Week honors on March 16.
Second baseman
Kade Goeke was selected to the ALL-MIAA Second Team in his first season on the Hill. The senior from Enid, Oklahoma, has made a significant impact at the plate, tallying 58 runs, 52 hits, a team-high 43 walks and 25 RBIs. Defensively, Goeke boasts a .966 fielding percentage with 104 putouts, 69 assists and 24 double plays.
Senior
Sammy Harris received two prestigious MIAA honors, being named to the All-MIAA Second Team and winning the Third Base Gold Glove award. The transfer from Arkansas-Little Rock started 49 games this season, compiling 62 hits, 50 RBIs, 38 runs and 27 walks in 198 plate appearances, ranking eighth in the MIAA. His performance included 20 extra-base hits, with 15 doubles and five home runs. Defensively, Harris posted a .916 fielding percentage, recording 71assists, 38 putouts and turning 10 double plays in 119 chances.
Senior right-handed pitcher
Ricardo Landeros has been a dependable reliever for the Hillcats this season, earning second-team All-MIAA honors. The Chula Vista, California, native has made 16 appearances, throwing 33.2 innings with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He has tallied 28 strikeouts and registered five saves.
Damon Anderson-Wolf (9-0) was recognized for his strong performance as a midweek starter for RSU by earning a spot on the All-MIAA Third Team. The right-handed pitcher from Aliso Viejo, California, made nine starts and 13 appearances, posting a team-high 3.55 ERA, which ranks fourth in the MIAA. He allowed 34 earned runs, tied for the sixth-fewest in the league. Anderson-Wolf's nine wins are tied for the most in a single season in program history and rank third in the conference. Additionally, his 63.1 innings pitched are tied for eighth in the league, and he recorded 36 strikeouts.
Dillon Dibrell (8-4), a transfer from the University of Central Oklahoma and a native of Piedmont, Oklahoma, has had a standout first season with the Red and Navy. He earned All-MIAA Third Team honors as a starting pitcher, making 14 starts and recording 60 strikeouts, over 66.2 innings. Dibrell holds a 4.59 ERA and a 1.37 ERA.
Nathan Gutierrez, a transfer from Castle Rock, Colorado, made an immediate impact at the plate and in the outfield, earning All-MIAA Third Team honors. The senior posted a slash line of .365/.476/.611 with 61 hits, 51 runs, 45 RBIs and 31 walks. Eighteen of his hits were extra-base hits, including a team-leading 10 home runs—two of which were grand slams—five doubles, and three triples. Additionally, Gutierrez leads the team with 22 stolen bases.
Zach Horwith (5-3), a senior from Castle Rock, Colorado, and a transfer from Bellarmine, has earned All-MIAA Third Team honors as a starting pitcher. He has made 13 starts this season, amassing 40 strikeouts in 70.0 innings. He holds an ERA of 4.50 and a 1.39 WHIP. On March 27, he became just the second player in Hillcat history to throw a no-hitter during a victory against Emporia State. His achievement earned him NCBWA Central Region Pitcher of the Week honors on March 31, along with MIAA Pitcher of the Week honors on March 30.
Trevor Spainhoward received All-MIAA Third Team honors as a catcher in his first season after transferring from California Baptist. In 35 games, including 32 starts, the senior from Bakersfield, California, has been a standout at the plate, recording 38 hits, 29 RBIs and eight walks in 126 plate appearances. Among his hits, 11 have been for extra bases, featuring six doubles and five home runs. Additionally, he has caught nine runners stealing.
Luis Fuentes, an outfielder from Bakersfield, California, earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention honors this season. He has recorded 54 hits, 43 runs, 31 RBIs and 21 walks. Fuentes has a team-leading .383 batting average and his .514 on-base percentage.
Jake Mitchell, a native of Pawnee, Oklahoma, earned his first All-MIAA honor, receiving honorable mention recognition. He has started 48 games primarily at first base, accumulating 51 hits, 45 runs and 41 RBIs. This season, he launched eight home runs, which has propelled him into second place on the school's all-time home runs list. Additionally, Mitchell registered 38 walks, bringing his program-leading total to 136. He has been an integral part of the Hillcat program throughout his four years in college.
Zak Nelson has been a mainstay in the starting lineup in the outfield. The junior has a slash line of .313/.451/.482 with 35 hits, 31 runs, 29 RBIs and 25 walks. Twelve of his hits have gone for extra bases, with seven doubles, three triples and two home runs.
Spencer Hatch (4-2) has started in 13 games for the Hillcats. The Las Vegas, Nevada, has collected a team-leading 61 strikeouts in 54.1 innings of work. He heads into the postseason with a 4.47 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.
Other notable pitching staff members to watch include
Michael Klein (2-2, 2 saves),
Mason Trotter (5-0, 3 saves) and
Cole Abbott (2-0).
ABOUT THE MISSOURI SOUTHERN LIONS
RV Missouri Southern (33-17) finished third in the MIAA standings and fell in the MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals to Emporia State.
MSSU holds a 12-6 series advantage against RSU, but the Hillcats claimed a 2-1 series win over the Lions back in February. Notably, in the series opener, Klimas became the program's all-time winningest coach with his 282
nd career victory.
Senior Brayden Luikart is the Lions player to watch. The All-MIAA First Team outfielder has slashed .392/.510/.706 with 76 hits, 56 runs and 45 RBI. Of his hits, 36 have gone for extra bases with 22 doubles, 11 home runs and three triples. He also leads the team with 15 stolen bases.
Owen Schneider (8-2) is the Lion pitcher to watch. The All-MIAA First Teamer has tallied 71 strikeouts in 90.1 innings of work. His ERA stands at 3.39 and his WHIP is 1.14.
ABOUT THE CENTRAL MISSOURI MULES
No. 15 Central Missouri (34-15) finished fifth in the MIAA standings and was beaten in a wild 11-inning quarterfinal clash with Northwest Missouri State in the MIAA Tournament. The Mules finished runner-up at the 2025 NCAA Division II World Series, following in game three of the best-of-three series against Tampa.
UCM is 18-5 all-time against RSU, but the Hillcats secured their first-ever series in Warrensburg this past April 2-1 against the then-ranked No. 4 Mules.
Shortstop Cole Kreisel is the UCM player to watch. The All-MIAA Second Team selection has slashed .339/.518/.557 with 42 hits, 49 runs, 29 RBIs and 22 walks in 35 starts. Sixteen of his hits have gone for extra bases with 10 doubles, five home runs and a triple. He has also stolen 19 bases.
Sawyer Allen (6-1) is the Mules pitcher to watch. The All-MIAA First Team starting pitcher has collected 68 strikeouts in 67.1 innings of work. He holds a 2.41 ERA and .97 WHIP after 13 appearances this season.
ABOUT THE MINNESOTA STATE MAVERICKS
No. 19 Minnesota State (40-14) finished second in the MIAA standings and fell to No. 17 Augustana in the NSIC Tournament Championship game.
The Hillcats and Mavericks have never met in regular season or postseason play.
Sophomore Jake Berkland is the MSU player to watch. The All-NSIC First Team shortstop has slashed .366/.510/.624 with 71 hits, 82 runs, 47 RBIs, 34 walks and a team-leading 21 stolen bases. Of his hits, 25 have gone for extra bases with 11 doubles, 11 home runs and three triples.
Junior Sam George (7-2) is the Maverick pitcher to watch. The All-NSIC First Team selection has appeared in 13 games with 12 starts. He has collected 67 strikeouts in 63.2 innings of work. The lefty holds a 3.39 ERA and 1.23 WHIP.
