GRINNELL, Iowa – Grinnell College's baseball squad will take another run at Midwest Conference success this season.
 
The Pioneers went 23-19 last year and 11-10 in the league while qualifying for the MWC Tournament.
 
The 2026 squad begins with a rugged non-conference slate this weekend, facing both Augustana College and Central College in Kansas City.
 
Here is a look at the 2026 Pioneers:
 
PITCHING
Grinnell will be led by All-MWC first-teamers Jakob Runkel '26 and Shea Goel '28. Runkel was 4-4 last season with a 5.56 ERA and 59 strikeouts, while Goel fanned 31 batters with a 3-1 record and 5.02 ERA.
 
"We have quite a bit of experience back, starting with those two and Jackson Gutta '27 (2-3 record and 19 strikeouts), who battled injury issues," said Grinnell coach Tim Hollibaugh. Other key returnees are Daniel Shaul '26 (1-1, 4.03 ERA, 18 strikeouts), Campbell Plishker '26 (1.88 ERA and four strikeouts), Joshua Chung '28, Ajay Griffin '27 (1-1, 6.20 ERA 20 strikeouts), Paul Shortridge '28 (2-2, 14 strikeouts) and Adam Gallegos '28 (8 strikeouts).
 
"The returning pitchers have all matured on the mound and their ability to consistently throw strikes," said Hollibaugh. "Besides those mentioned, we have some exciting first-year prospects including Lucas Petrikas '29, David Haas '29, Ben Blier '29 and Connor Pink '29."
 
CATCHING
Ben Skiles '28 (.398 batting average, 14 RBIs) returns as the most experienced catching prospect and will also play the outfield. Crew McDonald '28 is also expected to see some innings, with Maddux Anderson '29 and Cooper Rabin '29 in the mix. "We have a good array of talent behind the dish," said Hollibaugh. "The competition will determine how the innings are distributed among them."
 
INFIELD
Leading the charge will be All-Region and All-MWC performer Connor Goodson '26 at first base. He hit .371 with 10 homers and 46 RBIs. "He has really grown this year to be an even more consistent hitter while showing improvement on defense," said Hollibaugh, noting Goodson be backed up with Mitch Baek '29 and Jackson Waters '27.
 
"Joe Chanis '27 (.391 average, 25 RBIs) and Nikolas Ruden '26 (.343 average, 14 RBIs) return with plenty of experience in the middle infield, and will be joined by first-years Connor Pink and Ryan Jackson '29," said Hollibaugh. "Stuart Cash '27 (.382, 30 RBIs) is healthy and playing third base, where he'll be backed up by Daniel Lee '28."
 
 
OUTFIELD 
"Jacob Gaynor '28 (.310 average, 26 RBIs) and Wyatt Raymond '28 (.262 average, 24 RBIs) return with a lot of experience," said Hollibaugh. "Left field is our biggest question mark of the year. Christopher Gulley '27, Conor Tashjian '28, Ian Gunn '27 and Xavier Fjeld '29 are our possibilities, as well as some infielders."
 
DESIGNATED HITTER
Baek, Waters and Lee are the front runners at this early stage.
 
CONCLUSION
Hollibaugh again has high hopes for the team. "Even with the graduation of some of the best players in Grinnell history, a lot of the young players gained valuable experience and contributed last season," he said. "We are really jelling as a team so far and are healthier on the mound than the last three years, so that provides a lot of optimism."
 
As for the MWC race, Hollibaugh says it's wide open. "Everybody graduated some key players, so it'll depend on who is most consistent in the weekend series," he said. "Our expectations are the same as always."