Baseball to open 2026 campaign on Saturday

Plenty of new faces will look to make an impact this spring for the Otterbein University baseball team, which graduated 18 players from last season's roster. Despite the turnover, the Cardinals feature a young but talented group eager to return to the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament after missing the postseason a year ago. Leading the way is head coach George Powell, who enters his 27th season at the helm with 622 career victories.

After transferring in and making an immediate impact last season, Nolan James returns as the Cardinals' top hitter. James batted .368 in 2025, driving in 22 runs while tallying 11 extra-base hits, including five home runs that tied for the team lead.

Sophomore Calvin Mabry is back following a strong freshman campaign in which he appeared in 35 games with 30 starts. He led the team in stolen bases, swiping 12 bags in 14 attempts. JT Gels and Daniel Uhl, also sophomores, gained valuable experience in the lineup last season and will look to take the next step offensively.

On the mound, Maverick Rabe returns after recording a team-high 36.2 innings in 2025. Sam Sethna gives Otterbein a reliable arm out of Powell's bullpen. Andrew Kitts, Brady Heagan and Austin Payne also return after each threw at least 12 innings last spring, adding depth and experience to the pitching staff.

The season opens this weekend with a doubleheader on Saturday against Mount St. Joseph University at Midland Baseball. Otterbein's home opener is set for Friday, Feb. 27, when Otterbein hosts Hope College. After that series, the Cardinals travel to Myrtle Beach for a 10-game stretch beginning March 7.

Conference play begins March 21, when Marietta College visits Westerville for a twinbill. In a packed conference that featured three NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, the Cardinals will host one of those teams in Baldwin Wallace. Otterbein will take on the other two NCAA Tournament teams, Mount Union and Ohio Northern, on the road. With nonconference action mixed throughout the slate, the regular season concludes May 2 in the Battle for the Oar at Capital University.

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Players Mentioned

#17 Nolan James: OF; 6' 1"; Junior

#21 Andrew Kitts: RHP; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#1 Calvin Mabry: OF; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#10 Austin Payne: RHP; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#5 Sam Sethna: RHP; 6' 1"; Senior

#20 Daniel Uhl: INF; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#4 Maverick Rabe: RHP; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#15 JT Gels: 1B/3B; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#17 Nolan James
: 6' 1"; Junior
: OF

#21 Andrew Kitts
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: RHP

#1 Calvin Mabry
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: OF

#10 Austin Payne
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: RHP

#5 Sam Sethna
: 6' 1"; Senior
: RHP

#20 Daniel Uhl
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: INF

#4 Maverick Rabe
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: RHP

#15 JT Gels
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: 1B/3B