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Mississippi Valley State University Athletics

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2026 Baseball Season Preview

Baseball | 2/12/2026 12:00:00 PM

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Mississippi Valley State University baseball program and Head Coach CJ Bilbrey are confident in the team's potential on the diamond, looking to secure the squad's first SWAC Tournament appearance since 2018.
 
Below is a list of returners and an inside look regarding newcomers / freshmen.
 
Know Before You Go:
 
  • Time & Dates
    • Friday, February 13 (2 & 5 p.m.)
    • Saturday, February 14 (1 p.m.)
    • Sunday, February 15 (1 p.m.)
   
  • Listen
    • N/A
   
  • Tickets
    • Friday, February 13 (2 & 5 p.m.)
    • Saturday, February 14 (1 p.m.)
    • Sunday, February 15 (1 p.m.)
 
  • 2025 Records
    • Mississippi Valley (12-29, 7-23 SWAC)
    • Stephen F. Austin (18-31, 9-21 Southland)
   
  • Series History (Since 2006)
    • Series Tied 1-1 (50%)
 
  • Last Meeting
    • March 28, 2017
      • Nacogdoches, Texas (Jaycees Field)
        • Stephen F. Austin – 8
        • Mississippi Valley – 2
 
  • Winning Streak (Since 2006)
    • Lumberjacks (W1) / Diamond Devils' Last Win: February 21, 2009 (4-3)
 
Returners:
 
#1 Tanner Aoki (Infield / Senior / Mililani, Hawaii)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Games – 41
    • Starts – 39
    • Batting Average – .354
    • On-Base Percentage – .485
    • Slugging Percentage – .409
    • OPS – .894
    • At-Bats – 127
    • Hits – 45
    • Runs Scored – 36
    • Walks – 27
    • Stolen Bases – 19
    • RBIs – 14
    • Doubles – 7
    • Hit-By-Pitches – 7
    • Sacrifice Flies – 2
 
#3 Tom Early (Catcher / Senior / San Diego, California)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Games – 15
    • Starts – 10
    • Batting Average – .179
    • On-Base Percentage – .410
    • Slugging Percentage – .179
    • OPS – .589
    • At-Bats – 28
    • Runs Scored – 7
    • Walks – 7
    • Hits – 5
    • Hit-By-Pitches – 4
    • RBIs – 2
    • Stolen Bases – 1
 
#6 James Rivera (Pitcher / Senior / Rancho Cucamonga, California)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • ERA – 16.05
    • Appearances – 15
    • Starts – 1
    • Innings – 12.1
    • Strikeouts – 11
    • Batting Average Against – .298
 
#7 Malik Kemp (Pitcher / Sophomore / Douglasville, Georgia)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Record – 0-1
    • ERA – 14.81
    • Appearances – 20
    • Innings – 20.2
    • Strikeouts – 18
    • Batting Average Against – .344
 
#8 Noah Bufford (Outfield / Junior / Birmingham, Alabama)
  • 2025 Stats
    • Games – 22
    • Starts – 14
    • Batting Average – .275
    • On-Base Percentage – .373
    • Slugging Percentage – .569
    • OPS – .942
    • At-Bats – 51
    • Hits – 14
    • RBIs – 12
    • Runs Scored – 9
    • Walks – 8
    • Home Runs – 4
    • Doubles – 3
    • Stolen Bases – 2
  • Career Stats
    • Games – 38
    • Starts – 19
    • Batting Average – .266
    • At-Bats – 79
    • Hits – 21
    • RBIs – 18
    • Walks – 12
    • Runs Scored – 12
    • Home Runs – 5
    • Doubles – 3
    • Stolen Bases – 2
    • Hit-By-Pitches – 1
 
#9 Jordan Jones (Infield / Sophomore / Detroit, Michigan)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Games – 10
    • Starts – 2
    • On-Base Percentage – .211
    • At-Bats – 15
    • Runs Scored – 3
    • Walks – 2
    • Hit-By-Pitches – 2
 
#11 Aiden Meyer (Outfield / Sophomore / Sainte Genevive, Missouri)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Games – 18
    • Starts – 4
    • Batting Average – .250
    • On-Base Percentage – .308
    • Slugging Percentage – .417
    • OPS – .725
    • At-Bats – 24
    • RBIs – 8
    • Runs Scored – 7
    • Hits – 6
    • Walks – 2
    • Doubles – 1
    • Home Runs – 1
    • Stolen Bases – 1
 
#20 Jaxon Haynes (Catcher / Senior / Walnut Springs, Texas)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Games – 4
    • Starts – 3
    • Batting Average – .455
    • On-Base Percentage – .538
    • Slugging Percentage – .818
    • OPS – 1.356
    • At-Bats – 11
    • Hits – 5
    • Runs Scored – 4
    • RBIs – 3
    • Hit-By-Pitches – 2
    • Doubles – 1
    • Home Runs – 1
 
#21 Jace Jones (Pitcher, Infield / Senior / Fort Myers, Florida)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Hitting
      • Games – 38
      • Starts – 37
      • Batting Average – .250
      • On-Base Percentage – .388
      • Slugging Percentage – .440
      • OPS – .828
      • At-Bats – 116
      • Runs Scored – 33
      • RBIs – 32
      • Hits – 29
      • Walks – 23
      • Home Runs – 7
      • Hit-By-Pitches – 5
      • Sacrifice Flies – 3
      • Stolen Bases – 2
      • Doubles – 1
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Pitching
      • Record – 0-1
      • ERA – 4.50
      • Appearances – 3
      • Starts – 2
      • Innings – 8.0
      • Strikeouts – 8
      • Batting Average Against – .281
 
#23 James Snipes (Pitcher / Senior / Woodstock, Georgia)
  • 2025 Stats
    • Record – 2-3
    • ERA – 10.54
    • Appearances – 15
    • Starts – 8
    • Innings – 41.0
    • Strikeouts – 29
    • Batting Average Against – .359
  • Career Stats
    • Record – 3-13
    • ERA – 9.82
    • Appearances – 50
    • Starts – 18
    • Saves – 2
    • Innings – 145.2
    • Strikeouts – 76
    • Batting Average Against – .359
 
#24 Kobe Ladd (Pitcher / Junior / Chandler, Arizona)
  • 2025 Stats
    • Record – 1-2
    • ERA – 12.06
    • Appearances – 8
    • Starts – 4
    • Innings – 15.2
    • Strikeouts – 9
    • Batting Average Against – .348
  • Career Stats
    • Record – 1-2
    • ERA – 10.33
    • Appearances – 14
    • Starts – 5
    • Innings – 27.0
    • Strikeouts – 16
    • Batting Average Against – .316
 
#25 Eric Williams (Infield / Sophomore / St. Louis, Missouri)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Games – 41
    • Starts – 38
    • Batting Average – .344
    • On-Base Percentage – .430
    • Slugging Percentage – .484
    • OPS – .914
    • At-Bats – 122
    • Hits – 42
    • Runs Scored – 22
    • Walks – 19
    • RBIs – 18
    • Doubles – 11
    • Sacrifice Flies – 5
    • Stolen Bases – 5
    • Hit-By-Pitches – 3
    • Home Runs – 2
 
#35 Logan Darnell (Pitcher / Sophomore / Fenton, Missouri)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Record – 3-6
    • ERA – 6.44
    • Appearances – 17
    • Starts – 7
    • Saves – 2
    • Innings – 57.1
    • Strikeouts – 49
    • Batting Average Against – .316
 
#43 Kendall Brookins (Outfield / Senior / Chicago, Illinois)
  • 2025 / Career Stats
    • Games – 38
    • Starts – 36
    • Batting Average – .280
    • On-Base Percentage – .370
    • Slugging Percentage – .424
    • OPS – .794
    • At-Bats – 125
    • Hits – 35
    • RBIs – 23
    • Runs Scored – 22
    • Stolen Bases – 16
    • Walks – 15
    • Doubles – 7
    • Hit-By-Pitches – 4
    • Home Runs – 3
    • Sacrifice Flies – 2
    • Triples – 1
 
#99 Chris Soeder (Infield / Senior / Sarasota, Florida)
  • 2025 Stats
    • Games – 12
    • Starts – 9
    • Batting Average – .219
    • On-Base Percentage – .278
    • Slugging Percentage – .344
    • OPS – .622
    • At-Bats – 32
    • Runs Scored – 9
    • Hits – 7
    • RBIs – 6
    • Walks – 3
    • Doubles – 1
    • Home Runs – 1
    • Sacrifice Flies – 1
  • Career Stats
    • Games – 75
    • Starts – 55
    • Batting Average – .237
    • On-Base Percentage – .337
    • Slugging Percentage – .374
    • OPS – .711
    • At-Bats – 219
    • Hits – 52
    • RBIs – 47
    • Runs Scored – 42
    • Walks – 29
    • Doubles – 9
    • Home Runs – 7
    • Hit-By-Pitches – 6
    • Sacrifice Flies – 4
 
Newcomers / Freshmen:
 
#0 Brock Lenhardt (Pitcher / Sophomore / Cochrane, Alberta, Canada)
  • Previous School
    • Redwoods CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 3-6
      • ERA – 5.59
      • Appearances – 19
      • Starts – 9
      • Innings – 66.0
      • Strikeouts – 55
 
#2 Gabe Huelsing (Outfield / Freshman / St. Louis, Missouri)
  • Previous School
    • Oakville Senior HS
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • N/A
 
#5 Stephen Landaz (Catcher / Junior / Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Previous School
    • Cerro Coso CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • N/A
 
#10 Johnny Escobalez Jr. (Pitcher, Outfield / Freshman / East Bridgewater, Massachusetts)
  • Previous School
    • Taunton HS
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Hitting
        • Games – 22
        • Batting Average – .290
        • On-Base Percentage – .384
        • Slugging Percentage – .403
        • OPS – .787
        • At-Bats – 62
        • Hits – 18
        • RBIs – 14
        • Stolen Bases – 13
        • Walks – 10
        • Runs Scored – 10
        • Triples – 3
        • Doubles – 1
        • Sacrifice Flies – 1
      • Pitching
        • Record – 4-2
        • ERA – 0.96
        • Appearances – 10
        • Saves – 1
        • Innings – 43.2
        • Strikeouts – 46
 
#12 Cody Leming (Infield / Junior / Stayton, Oregon)
  • Previous School
    • Chemeketa CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Games – 48
      • Batting Average – .253
      • On-Base Percentage – .333
      • Slugging Percentage – .318
      • OPS – .651
      • At-Bats – 154
      • Hits – 39
      • Runs Scored – 21
      • Walks – 15
      • RBIs – 14
      • Stolen Bases – 12
      • Doubles – 8
      • Hit-By-Pitches – 4
      • Triples – 1
      • Sacrifice Flies – 1
 
#13 Ty Burns (Catcher / Junior / Tulare, California)
  • Previous School
    • Coalinga CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Games – 49
      • Batting Average – .233
      • On-Base Percentage – .288
      • Slugging Percentage – .333
      • OPS – .621
      • At-Bats – 150
      • Hits – 35
      • Runs Scored – 18
      • RBIs – 16
      • Doubles – 12
      • Walks – 10
      • Stolen Bases – 6
      • Hit-By-Pitches – 2
      • Home Runs – 1
      • Sacrifice Flies – 1
 
#14 Nathan Ortega (Infield / Freshman / Dallas, Texas)
  • Previous School
    • Lancaster HS
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Games – 21
      • Batting Average – .404
      • On-Base Percentage – .466
      • Slugging Percentage – .653
      • OPS – 1.120
      • At-Bats – 52
      • Hits – 21
      • Stolen Bases – 19
      • RBIs – 17
      • Runs Scored – 12
      • Walks – 5
      • Doubles – 4
      • Triples – 3
      • Home Runs – 1
      • Hit-By-Pitches – 1
 
#15 Gage Deutsch (Pitcher / Freshman / Dale, Texas)
  • Previous School
    • Lockhart HS
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • ERA – 3.75
      • Appearances – 39
      • Innings – 115.2
      • Strikeouts – 166
      • Batting Average Against – .250
 
#16 Dylan Hummel (Infield / Senior / San Antonio, Texas)
  • Previous School
    • Stephen F. Austin
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Games – 19
      • Starts – 13
      • Batting Average – .190
      • On-Base Percentage – .261
      • Slugging Percentage – .262
      • OPS – .523
      • At-Bats – 42
      • Hits – 8
      • Runs Scored – 7
      • RBIs – 5
      • Walks – 3
      • Doubles – 1
      • Triples – 1
      • Hit-By-Pitches – 1
 
#17 Eric Torrero (Pitcher / Junior / Panama City, Panama)
  • Previous School
    • North Central Missouri CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 9-6
      • ERA – 6.45
      • Appearances – 28
      • Starts – 23
      • Innings – 90.2
      • Strikeouts – 83
 
#18 Lucas Valencia (Pitcher / Freshman / West Palm Beach, Florida)
  • Previous School
    • Palm Beach Gardens HS
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 14-3
      • ERA – 2.42
      • Appearances – 34
      • Starts – 1
      • Innings – 142.0
      • Strikeouts – 130
      • Batting Average Against – .247
 
#19 Matthew Cuzco (Pitcher / Sophomore / Chicago, Illinois)
  • Previous School
    • Keystone
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • ERA – 6.00
      • Appearances – 2
      • Innings – 3.0
      • Strikeouts – 4
      • Batting Average Against – .182
 
#22 Luke Richard (Pitcher, Infield / Sophomore / McKinney, Texas)
  • Previous School
    • Hesston CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Hitting
        • Games – 45
        • Starts – 43
        • Batting Average – .281
        • On-Base Percentage – .381
        • Slugging Percentage – .467
        • OPS – .848
        • At-Bats – 135
        • Hits – 38
        • RBIs – 38
        • Runs Scored – 24
        • Walks – 18
        • Home Runs – 6
        • Hit-By-Pitches – 5
        • Stolen Bases – 4
        • Doubles – 3
        • Triples – 2
        • Sacrifice Flies – 2
      • Pitching
        • Record – 3-7
        • ERA – 5.79
        • Appearances – 17
        • Starts – 12
        • Complete Games – 1
        • Saves – 2
        • Innings – 60.2
        • Strikeouts – 46
        • Batting Average Against – .284
 
#27 Israel Ramos (Outfield / Junior / Lemoore, California)
  • Previous School
    • Coalinga CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Games – 34
      • Batting Average – .282
      • On-Base Percentage – .413
      • Slugging Percentage – .410
      • OPS – .813
      • At-Bats – 117
      • Hits – 33
      • Walks – 20
      • Runs Scored – 17
      • Stolen Bases – 14
      • RBIs – 12
      • Doubles – 7
      • Hit-By-Pitches – 6
      • Home Runs – 2
      • Triples – 1
 
#28 Ethan Fuller (Pitcher / Sophomore / Smyrna, Georgia)
  • Previous School
    • Georgia Highlands CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 0-1
      • ERA – 17.18
      • Appearances – 4
      • Innings – 3.2
      • Strikeouts – 5
 
#29 Park Roeder (Pitcher / Sophomore / Las Vegas, Nevada)
  • Previous School
    • Coppin State
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 0-2
      • ERA – 20.25
      • Appearances – 11
      • Starts – 1
      • Innings – 14.2
      • Strikeouts – 12
      • Batting Average Against – .443
 
#30 Clint Lafferty (Pitcher / Junior / Cibolo, Texas)
  • Previous School
    • Wallace-Dothan CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • N/A
 
#31 Camden Farmer (Pitcher / Junior / Paragould, Arkansas)
  • Previous School
    • Arkansas-Rich Mountain
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 5-3
      • ERA – 4.65
      • Appearances – 35
      • Starts – 5
      • Saves – 1
      • Innings – 79.1
      • Strikeouts – 45
 
#34 Angel Escobar (Pitcher / Sophomore / Mission Viejo, California)
  • Previous School
    • Cerro Coso CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 0-1
      • ERA – 3.62
      • Appearances – 23
      • Innings – 37.1
      • Strikeouts – 24
 
#36 Chris Brown (Pitcher / Senior / Littlefield, Texas)
  • Previous School
    • Lubbock Christian
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 0-1
      • ERA – 18.00
      • Appearances – 10
      • Innings – 5.0
      • Strikeouts – 4
      • Batting Average Against – .391
 
#42 Robert Page Jr. (Pitcher / Freshman / Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
  • Previous School
    • Hattiesburg HS
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • N/A
 
#44 Daniel Scott (Pitcher / Freshman / New Port Richey, Florida)
  • Previous School
    • Tarpon Springs HS
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Record – 12-5
      • ERA – 2.02
      • Appearances – 25
      • Innings – 90.0
      • Strikeouts – 120
      • Batting Average Against – .195
 
#55 Ben Niemeier (Catcher / Freshman / Webster Groves, Missouri)
  • Previous School
    • Webster Groves HS
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Games – 6
      • Batting Average – .111
      • On-Base Percentage – .273
      • Slugging Percentage – .222
      • OPS – .495
      • At-Bats – 9
      • Walks – 2
      • Hits – 1
      • Doubles – 1
      • RBIs – 1
 
#66 Frank Estrada (Infield / Junior / Fontana, California)
  • Previous School
    • Fullerton CC
  • Previous School Stats
    • Career
      • Games – 17
      • Batting Average – .200
      • On-Base Percentage – .323
      • Slugging Percentage – .200
      • OPS – .523
      • At-Bats – 25
      • Hits – 5
      • Runs Scored – 4
      • Walks – 4
      • RBIs – 2
      • Hit-By-Pitches – 1
      • Sacrifice Flies – 1
 
  
Follow the Mississippi Valley State baseball program on Twitter / X (@ValleyStateBSB) and Instagram (@ValleyStateBSB).
 
Follow the Delta Devils / Devilettes on Facebook (Valley State Athletics), Twitter / X (@MVSUDevilSports), and Instagram (@ValleyStateAthletics).
 
#ValleyInMotion
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Players Mentioned

Brock Lenhardt

#0 Brock Lenhardt

Pitcher
5' 10"
Sophomore
R / R
Tanner Aoki

#1 Tanner Aoki

Infield
5' 9"
Senior
S / R
Gabe Huelsing

#2 Gabe Huelsing

Outfield
5' 11"
Freshman
L / L
Tom Early

#3 Tom Early

Catcher
6' 0"
Senior
L / R
Stephen Landaz

#5 Stephen Landaz

Catcher
5' 9"
Junior
R / R
James Rivera

#6 James Rivera

Pitcher
6' 0"
Senior
R / R
Malik Kemp

#7 Malik Kemp

Pitcher
6' 2"
Sophomore
R / R
Noah Bufford

#8 Noah Bufford

Outfield
6' 0"
Junior
R / R
Jordan Jones

#9 Jordan Jones

Infield
6' 0"
Sophomore
R / R
Johnny Escobalez Jr.

#10 Johnny Escobalez Jr.

Pitcher / Outfield
5' 9"
Freshman
L / L

Players Mentioned

Brock Lenhardt

#0 Brock Lenhardt

5' 10"
Sophomore
R / R
Pitcher
Tanner Aoki

#1 Tanner Aoki

5' 9"
Senior
S / R
Infield
Gabe Huelsing

#2 Gabe Huelsing

5' 11"
Freshman
L / L
Outfield
Tom Early

#3 Tom Early

6' 0"
Senior
L / R
Catcher
Stephen Landaz

#5 Stephen Landaz

5' 9"
Junior
R / R
Catcher
James Rivera

#6 James Rivera

6' 0"
Senior
R / R
Pitcher
Malik Kemp

#7 Malik Kemp

6' 2"
Sophomore
R / R
Pitcher
Noah Bufford

#8 Noah Bufford

6' 0"
Junior
R / R
Outfield
Jordan Jones

#9 Jordan Jones

6' 0"
Sophomore
R / R
Infield
Johnny Escobalez Jr.

#10 Johnny Escobalez Jr.

5' 9"
Freshman
L / L
Pitcher / Outfield