ST. CHARLES MO.- Entering his third season at the helm, PJ Finigan believes Lindenwood baseball is no longer just building, it’s ready to break through.
After a 16-win debut campaign in 2024, the Lions surged to a historic 30–30 mark last season, finishing 14–12 in Ohio Valley Conference play and advancing to the OVC Tournament semifinals. The win total marked the highest of Lindenwood’s Division I era, and the expectation in 2026 is clear: more.
“I think we’re excited to finally line it up against somebody else,” Finigan said in his preseason press conference. “We’re a little tired of playing against one another, but I really like where we’re at and how this group has come together.”
That optimism starts on the mound.
Pitching sets the tone
Senior right-hander Josh Newell returns as the reigning OVC Pitcher of the Year after one of the most dominant seasons in program history. Newell went 10–2 in 15 starts, tying the school record for wins in a single season. He logged 97 innings, struck out 58 batters, posted a 3.15 ERA and threw two complete games.
“When we start with Josh Newell, it makes everything fall into place that much easier,” Finigan said. “He’s a machine. An unbelievable leader. He’ll start on Friday night for us, and you never worry about what you’re going to get.”
Joining Newell in the weekend rotation is Ethan Smith, who went 4–4 with a 3.95 ERA across 14 starts. Smith struck out 52 batters in 73 innings and gives Lindenwood a proven one-two punch.
The bullpen may be even deeper.
Easton Rakers anchors the relief corps after appearing in 23 games last season. The right-hander went 1–2 with a 2.03 ERA in 44.1 innings, striking out 43 hitters. Michael Walsh (3–3, 41.2 IP, 15 appearances), Kris Alcorn (eight starts, 26.2 IP) and Dillon Haftorson return looking to expand their roles.
Perhaps the most welcome sight is the return of Aaron Jungers, who missed all of 2025 due to injury. In 2024, the left-hander appeared in 21 games, logged 35.2 innings, recorded two saves and held opponents to a .244 batting average.
“Aaron Jungers being back and healthy is a welcome sight for all,” Finigan said. “That bullpen group — Rakers, Walsh, Jungers — those guys give us a tremendous foundation.”
Finnegan expects pitching to be a strength once again.
“We pride ourselves on throwing strikes and being ultra-competitive,” he said. “With our pitching and defense, we’re going to have a chance to be in every game.”
Veteran bats lead the lineup
Offensively, Lindenwood returns its table-setters.
Kam Edwards started 49 games and led the team with a .326 batting average. From the leadoff spot, Edwards totaled 63 hits, 10 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 35 RBIs. He also led the Lions with 38 walks and stole 14 bases.
“I’m not sure I’ve ever seen Kam better,” Finigan said. “His approach, his energy — everything he’s brought this year has been fantastic.”
Batting behind him is Charlie Isom-McCall, the 2025 OVC Freshman of the Year. The St. Louis native started 57 games and hit .276, collecting 61 hits, 11 doubles, a team-high six triples and five home runs. He drove in 32 runs, walked 28 times and stole a team-best 17 bases.
Filip Sarota, now in his third year, brings power and consistency to the middle of the order. The Warsaw, Poland, native hit .287 with a team-high 64 hits, including 16 doubles and 13 home runs, while leading the team with 53 RBIs.
Tyler Ellis appeared in 17 games and hit .325, launching four home runs, including a walk-off blast against Bradley. Tanner Simpson played in 40 games, starting 25, and hit .234 with 18 RBIs.
Catching depth and newcomers
Behind the plate, Lindenwood features depth and experience. Jake Radosevich appeared in 54 games last season and hit .297 with 63 hits, 14 doubles, 10 home runs and 48 RBIs. Brodie Short emerged late, starting 22 of his 28 appearances and driving in 15 runs.
Transfer William Zareh, a Webster Groves, Missouri, native, arrives from Missouri State. The redshirt sophomore made 11 starts last season, hitting three home runs.
“Will Zareh is a catcher from Missouri State who has been a stable presence and has really helped out shoulder the load with Brody short and Jake Radosovich.” Finigan said of the transfer, “What he does defensively we knew about, as he has been really good for us offensively, so he’ll jump in there and help out quite a bit.”
Freshmen raise the ceiling
Ten freshmen join the roster, headlined by Will Geary, a Valley Park native projected by D1Baseball.com as the preseason OVC Freshman of the Year. Geary hit .390 in summer ball with the O’Fallon Hoots, collecting 62 hits, 29 RBIs and 22 stolen bases while walking 28 times.
“If the freshmen don’t look like freshmen by conference play, we’re going to have a really good year,” Finigan said. “They can push our ceiling much higher.”
Sam Driscoll, Cade Martinez, Owen Ralph, Ethan Cantareira, Lucas Niemeyer, Ethan Milius, Jack Werkowitch, Braden Branigin and Dylan Miles round out the freshman class.
Eight transfers complete the roster, including Adam Hauchman (Kentucky), a former top pitching prospect out of high school looking to overcome the injury bug, Spencer Pederson (Iowa Central CC), Peter Underwood (Jefferson College), Seth Benes (Indiana), Preston Wright and Luke Wright (Western Kentucky), and Matthew Graf (Regis).
“Matt Graf has done a really good job giving us high-level at-bats,” Finigan said. “Those position-player newcomers are going to determine how far we go.”
Looking ahead
Lindenwood was picked to finish sixth in the OVC preseason poll, with Isom-McCall and Radosevich named players to watch. The Lions open the season with a four-game road series at Arkansas-Pine Bluff before returning home Feb. 20–22 against St. Thomas.
“There are no cupcakes in this league,” Finigan said. “You better play well, or you’re going to lose a series. That’s what makes it exciting.”
With veteran arms, emerging stars and an influx of young talent, Lindenwood enters 2026 believing the next step is within reach.
“If we grow offensively and our freshmen evolve quickly,” Finigan said, “we’re going to play a really exciting brand of baseball.”
