Baseball Picked Fourth in the CACC Preseason Poll and Eighth in the NCBWA East Region Preseason Poll

2/3/2026 12:00:00 AM

Goldey-Beacom, fresh off another trip to the NCAA Tournament, was selected to close fourth in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference based on a poll of the league's coaches and is preseason No. 8 in the East Region according to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

Junior Bobby Stewart (Newark, DE) is one of the key hitters returning and will be a key either at second base or shortstop after getting 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases last season. Sophomore Brent Williams (Woodstown, NJ) had a solid campaign last year with a .306 batting average and has the inside track at third base. Sophomore Zach Smethers (Nazareth, PA) batted .397 a season ago despite only playing 25 games and will be a key both at first base and as the designated hitter.

Owen Knerr (Ocean City, MD) is a power hitter who seeks time in the infield, fellow sophomore Jaime Neris Jr. (Philadelphia, PA) is another solid hitter who also is an energy guy and sophomore Roman Keith (Selbyville, DE) is an outfielder who makes the squad better both on offense and defense. Newcomers who seek a lineup spot thanks to their overall great play include junior Trey Mason (Germantown, MD) from Montgomery Community College, freshman Kaden Barmer (Edgewood, MD) from Calvert Hall and senior Joey Current (Denver, PA) from Towson University and Delaware State University.

A key player on the bump returning is Nate Miller (Mechanicsburg, PA), who over his first three years is tied for sixth in team history with three complete games, seventh with 10 wins, seventh with 114 strikeouts and seventh with 128 innings. Kevin Dillon (Mount Bethel, PA) returns for a fourth campaign sitting tied for third in team history with 13 wins, ninth with 98 strikeouts and 10th with 115 innings.

George Starr (Franklinville, NJ) had a solid freshman campaign with four wins over 50 innings and 38 strikeouts to just 18 walks. Sophomore Zach Davis (Newport News, VA) was outstanding last year with a 5-0 mark over eight appearances, notching 22 strikeouts and a .222 batting average against over 19 innings.

Kory Williams (Pennsauken, NJ) notched 51 strikeouts over 41 innings, fellow senior Connor Blence (Downingtown, PA) recorded a 5-1 record over 51 innings and sophomore Britton Wildasin (New Market, MD) saw hitters bat just .229 against him over 22 innings. Freshmen Tyler Leech (Wilmington, DE) and Reed Thompson (Rehoboth Beach, DE) both are coming back from injury and junior Timmy Jones (Bridgeville, DE) is a strike thrower from Allegheny College who can see time in multiple roles.

Goldey-Beacom (34-21, 23-11 CACC) last year, in only its ninth season since the program's reinstatement, made the NCAA Tournament a fourth time with all coming in the last five years. It was nationally ranked for the third time in the last four campaigns, regionally ranked all season in reaching number one and made the CACC Tournament a fifth straight year.

The Lightning recorded a school-record 15-game winning streak, a team-best 23 conference wins, tied the school record with 20 home wins and started a team-best 12-0 in the CACC, making it 14 straight league triumphs dating to 2024.

Goldey-Beacom opens things February 13 with games against Franklin Pierce and Mercy in Cary, NC.

2026 CACC Baseball Preseason Poll

1.	Felician (9)	118 pts.
2.	Wilmington (2)	107
3.	Jefferson	100
4.	Goldey-Beacom	91
5.	Dominican (1)	88
6.	Post	67
7.	Chestnut Hill	56
8.	Holy Family	48
9.	Caldwell	47
10.	Bridgeport	32
11.	Georgian Court	24
12.	Lincoln	14

2026 NCBWA Baseball East Region Preseason Poll

1.	Felician (7)	79 pts.
2.	Jefferson (2)	69
3.	Bentley	60
4.	Molloy	59
5.	Franklin Pierce	58
6.	Wilmington	51
7.	Southern NH	42
8.	Goldey-Beacom	37
9.	Dominican	21
10.	Pace	15

(first-place votes in parentheses)

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