SEASON PREVIEW: 2026 Madison College WolfPack Baseball

It has been an incredible and historic ride for Madison College baseball over the past 15 years, a span that includes 13 Region 4 championships and subsequent trips to the NJCAA Division II World Series. Fresh off a record-setting seventh consecutive appearance in Enid, Oklahoma, the question becomes: How long can the WolfPack keep it going? Head coach Mike Davenport is always confident in his team's ability to play competitive baseball when it matters most.

“Our goals, like ever year, are to be playing at our best as we approach tournament time, and to make adjustments to challenges and mistakes as quickly as possible. We have a weakness with a lack of experienced college hitters, although we hit well as a team in the fall, and our biggest challenge will be trying to get all of our pitchers innings to develop personally as a game pitcher. The team's biggest strength is quality pitching depth. This team should also be solid defensively, especially by the end of the season.”

Returners

As many as 11 second year players could take the mound this spring having already pitched in a collegiate baseball game, and that includes some of the top performers from 2025. Lefthander Noah Marschke was 8-1 with a 2.29 earned run average and 89 strikeouts en route to First Team All-Region 4 honors. Righthander Axel Donaldson and southpaw Chase Baker combined for 59 K's over 80-plus innings with a record of 11-1 as mostly starting pitchers. Noah Musolf returns from an injury-shortened season, and eyes a return to his 2.45 ERA over 29.1 innings from from 2024. Flamethrowers Carter Lund and Broden Jackson will lead the bullpen after each picked up a pair of saves and combined for 34 strikeouts in 20 appearances. Landon Dessart is another top returner, along with the returns of Camden Broske and Adison Tevz following a year off.

The top position players coming back were consistently in the lineup a season ago, led by catcher/outfielder Nate Novinska and shortstop Beau Bloxdorf, who moves over from second base. Novinska was second on the team in home runs with eight, while batting .325 with 52 hits, 48 runs batted in, and 44 runs scored. Bloxdorf held a .310 average with 39 hits and 37 runs scored. JJ Wolbert will likely be an everyday option at second and Sam Moses will split time between first base and the outfield. That duo combined for 32 hits, 36 runs scored, and 18 RBI.

“We do not return many hitters from last year, but all of the position returners that are back have improved significantly. On the flip side, we have more returning pitchers and any year I can remember. Our quality pitching depth should be one of our biggest strengths.”

Newcomers

The 2026 roster lists 17 players in their first year of eligibility; however, it's a group that brings some tremendous experience and skill. Eason Hurd (Green Bay, WI) is a third baseman transferring in from NCAA Division I Creighton University and Noah Noah Fitzgerald (La Grange, IL) is a versatile infielder that will help fill gaps where needed. Catcher/outfielder Jonah Roloff (Delafield, WI) will see time behind the plate, as well as in the outfield alongside fellow freshman Braylen White (Brown Deer, WI). White already this season has four hits in six at bats, with all four going for extra bases. Paul Nuetzel (Mequon, WI) is another intriguing player that will split time in the field and on the mound after redshirting last season."

“We have three position players that are in their first year of eligibility, but were with the program last year. The newcomers should provide a good mix of righthanded and lefthanded hitters. We added only one transfer in Eason Hurd, who fits in well and fills a need for us as a solid and fundamental player. I really like the freshman pitching class even though there are only five of them. They are all strike throwers that should have a role during their first year.”

Schedule

The 2026 schedule began with the Winter Classic, hosted by Heartland Community College at The Corn Crib in Normal, Illinois, and featured a number of the top Midwest programs in NJCAA Division II. Madison College, ranked #5 in the preseason poll, opened with an 8-6 win over #15 Parkland College, but took losses to #18 Kirkwood Community College and the #4 Hawks. Next is the team's annual Arizona Spring Trip for 11-games over nine days, starting with a doubleheader at Glendale Community College on March 12. The trip will include three games against South Mountain Community College and a finale at Pima Community College, who are currently ranked #4 and #25, respectively, in the latest poll. Back in the Midwest, the WolfPack will play nine games before their home opener at Robin Roberts Field on April 3 against Rock Valley College. April 11 brings a visit from #21-ranked Kankakee Community College, and four days later a rematch with #10 Heartland Community College. The regular season will wrap up with Sophomore Day on May 3 against Oakton College, currently ranked #7 in the NJCAA Division III Poll. Postseason play begins May 8-9 with Region 4 Sectional Tournaments, followed by the Region 4 Tournament from May 14-16. The NJCAA Division II World Series is set for May 23-30 in Enid, Oklahoma.