The familiar sounds of baseball are ready to echo through Ypsilanti again as Eastern Michigan University baseball prepares for a 2026 campaign defined by transition and high expectations. While snow may still cover the ground, the program is already looking toward the Mid-American Conference tournament in Avon, Ohio.
This season marks a new era following the departure of head coach Robbie Britt to the Boston Red Sox organization. Stepping into the void is interim head coach Trevor Beerman, who previously served as the team’s recruiting coordinator. Beerman described the sudden transition as an incredible chance for leadership, noting that "anytime you get ... the keys to the car, it's a great opportunity."
A brotherhood under new leadership
The coaching staff has been further fortified with the addition of Seth Caddell as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, alongside Andrew DiTullio as offensive coordinator and former player Harrison Travis as hitting coach. Despite the staff turnover, the locker room remains remarkably unified. Senior infielder Devan Zirwas highlighted this chemistry, calling the 2026 squad the "best of a brotherhood that we've had" during his tenure.
Beerman echoed this sentiment, stating that this group is "probably the closest group I've had a chance to be around."
This sense of camaraderie is expected to be the backbone of the team as they navigate a challenging schedule.
Offensive firepower and analytics
The Eagles’ offense, which hit 0.289 as a team in 2025, returns several key veterans while adding significant transfer talent. Senior Ty Stecko has spent the offseason "cleaning up" his swing to set better angles for ball flight, jokingly setting a personal goal of "probably around 20" home runs.
Zirwas also returns with a focus on his launch angle and consistency, fueled by the belief the coaching staff has instilled in him.
Perhaps the most anticipated addition is Leewood Molessa, a standout transfer from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Stecko praised Molessa as "one of the best hitters I've been around in my career."
Molessa himself believes the team will thrive if they "play our game and play maturely," adding that they have "nothing to lose."
To aid this offensive development, the program continues to leverage advanced technology. Oestrike Stadium is now equipped with the TrackMan Stadium V3 and AWRE camera systems, which track data points such as exit velocity, spin rate and launch angles to help players understand their performance on a granular level.
Pitching strategy: The 'race to two'
On the mound, the Eagles must replace several top players, including Drew Beckner and Tyler Kapa. Senior Ethan Davis returns as a leader for a pitching staff that is shifting its focus toward efficiency. Davis emphasized a new mentality focused on getting ahead early in counts and putting hitters in two-strike situations quickly. The staff aims to get in and out of innings in roughly seven minutes to keep momentum on their side. Beerman, drawing on his own background as a former pitcher, will take an overhead view of the staff to ensure they are prepared for high-leverage moments. New transfer arms like John Carmichael and Landon Mueller are expected to fill key roles in the weekend rotation.
The new Oestrike Stadium experience
Fans returning to Oestrike Stadium will witness a total physical transformation of the ballpark. The most striking change is the unique gray turf infield, the first of its kind in EMU history. Stecko believes this provides a distinct home-field advantage because opponents might not be used to playing on it.
Additionally, the field dimensions have been strategically altered; the home plate has been moved out 10 feet, while the outfield fences remain in place. For player safety, the outfield now features padded fences, which allows players to aggressively chase fly balls without fear of injury. The dugouts have also been expanded, providing a more professional environment for the roster.
Success beyond the diamond
The program's culture of excellence extends to the classroom and the community. The team recently achieved a 3.609 record-setting GPA, the highest in program history. Beerman emphasized that the program is built on three pillars: winning on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
A 'gauntlet' schedule
The 2026 season begins with a 16-game road trip, starting Feb. 13, 2026, at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. This gauntlet features mid-week matchups against national powerhouses, including a two-game set at Vanderbilt University (Feb. 17-18) and a trip to the University of Notre Dame (March 3). The Eagles will finally return home for their opener against Michigan State University on March 11.
Beerman views this early adversity as essential preparation for the MAC, a one-bid league where every conference game is vital. The ultimate goal remains a return to Avon for the MAC Championship from May 20-24. As Beerman put it, while championships aren't won in February, the team must stay together through the early tests to reach their full potential.
