KENNESAW, Ga. – Kennesaw State baseball was selected to finish third in Conference USA in the league's preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches and announced Thursday. The Owls totaled 108 points in the poll, finishing just three points shy of second place.
After being voted to finish sixth entering the 2025 season, the Owls exceeded expectations, posting a 31-27 overall mark and a 17-9 record in CUSA action, earning a third-place finish in the league standings. The Black and Gold continued their strong regular season by going 2-2 at the CUSA Baseball Championship in Lynchburg, Va., ultimately falling to Western Kentucky, 10-2, in the semifinal round.
The Owls return 22 members of the 2025 roster, accounting for 1,226 combined at-bats and 316.1 innings pitched. Leading the returning position players are
Wesley Alig,
Chris Cole,
Shamaar McDuffie,
Aaron Posey and
Cooper Williams, each of whom started at least 44 of KSU's 58 games last season.
Ty Bayer,
Harry Cain and
Daniel Powell headline the returning pitching staff, as each logged at least 53.2 innings and posted an ERA of 5.70 or better in 2025.
The experienced group of returners is complemented by 16 newcomers, including 10 freshmen and six transfers. Perfect Game CUSA Preseason Freshman of the Year
Josh Gibbs leads the highly rated freshman class, which was ranked No. 45 in the Nation by PG. Gibbs, the No. 25 overall player in the Class of 2025, is joined by fellow Top 500 recruit,
Jayden Summerville, and local products
Davis Harper,
Jin Kasuya,
Grayson McCollum,
Avery Shiflett,
Hunter Stonecipher,
Sam Summerlin and
Avery Wilson.
Nolan Bethel (Loudon, Tenn.) joins Summerville as the only other out-of-state freshman.
The transfer class includes five players with experience at the Power Four level, including
Charlie Jones (Georgia),
Trenton Lyons (North Carolina State),
Cooper McMullen (Georgia Tech),
Thorpe Musci (Georgia Tech) and
Cole Royer (Georgia Tech). Marietta native
Logan Brock returns home to Cobb County after a one-year stint at Belmont.
2026 CUSA Baseball Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
- DBU (9) 141 points
- LA Tech (1) 111 points
- Kennesaw State 108 points
- Jax State (1) 102 points
- WKU 97 points
- Missouri State 90 points
- Liberty 85 points
- FIU 56 points
- NM State (1) 45 points
- MTSU 38 points
- Delaware 37 points
- Sam Houston 26 points
The Owls Fund
The Owls Fund is the primary fundraising arm of Kennesaw State Athletics with the goal of supporting our student-athletes, coaches and each of our 18 NCAA Division I programs. Through initiatives such as Legacy Lockers, the Dot Martin Scholarship Golf Classic, sport-specific giving opportunities, general donations and season tickets, The Owls Fund connects fans with KSU's programs and student-athletes. Members receive exclusive benefits such as hospitality seating areas and events at Kennesaw State home games, and more. Join The Owls Fund here and discover more opportunities on how you can support Kennesaw State Athletics.
