2026 Tufts University Baseball Season Preview

MEDFORD, MA (February 26, 2026) – The Tufts University baseball team is just a few days out from the start of their 2026 season that begins on February 28th at home. Bryan Stark enters his second year as the Jumbos' head coach.

Tufts fell 1-2 in the NESCAC Quarterfinal's three game series against Middlebury last season. After knotting the series at one with a 6-2 Game 2 victory, the Jumbos took a 5-9 loss in Game 3 which ultimately ended their season. After the 16-21 opening season, Bryan Stark looks to lead the program back to consistent success.

Stark said the expectations are "to play hard, play smart, and have intent, effort, and thought to everything we do."

The 2026 Jumbos are filled with returning standout talent, the most notable departures are key contributors being first team All-NESCAC outfielder Ben Leonard, first team All-NESCAC pitcher Connor Podeszwa, and second team All-NESCAC pitcher Jacob Lapp.

The roster features 12 first years that could make immediate impacts. Highlighting the first year class is pitcher Paul McCarthy, who represented Xaverian Brothers High School as a New England Baseball Journal MIAA Player of the Year finalist and a two-time Catholic Conference All-Star, and outfielder Tate Bannish, who represented Wellesley High School as a Bay State Conference MVP and an Arthur S. Williams Award winner at Deerfield Academy.

"There has been a steady trend. We are pleased with the intent, effort, and thought at practice," Stark said, "The energy level hasn't dipped which is awesome while playing indoors." Stark also talked about some improvements that are a focus to his squad, "Pitching in general. A lot of innings to fill from last season. Great opportunities on the bump this year."

The Jumbos lost five of their top 7 pitchers that produced a top 3 finish in strikeouts (286-89) in the NESCAC during the 2025 campaign. Leading that charge was Connor Podeszwa, who finished with a 4-3 record, collected a 3.77 ERA with a 1.16 WHIP, and forced a team best .244 batting average against.

Defensive fielding is a definite area of strength for Tufts. Last season the Jumbos led the conference in fielding percentage (.969), ranked third in fewest errors (40), and fourth in assists (340). Rising sophomore James Henshon, who was a major standout from last season, the infielder ranked third in the NESCAC in assists (82) and held a respectable .946 fielding percentage in 36 games played.

Stark is leaning on some veteran leaders to help fill gaps in this team. "We have been seeing it throughout our program by the day; Malcolm Whitfield, Michael O'Brien, Owen McKiernan, Jesse McCullough, Cole Donato, Jack McLaughlin, and Jack Edwards…More and more guys working at expanding their roles".
As the season approaches, Stark focuses on a hard working mindset that he wants to instill in his crew. "Intent, Effort, Thought…Relentless, Resilient, Grit, Throwback Baseball".

With the season opener being in February, the Jumbos will have a cold weather start to the season as Tufts hosts the first six games of the season at Sol Gittleman Park. When asked about what impact this weather can have Stark responded, "When its tough for them, it's just right for us!"

Here is a breakdown of the roster by position:

INFIELD:

The Jumbos will return productive infielders Jesse McCullough, James Henshon, and Max Pavlik, but will have to replace key gaps after losing first baseman Connor Brala and 2023 NESCAC Defensive Player of the Year Ozzie Fleischer.

Returning to second base is senior Jesse McCullough, who posted a strong 99.2% fielding percentage last season which tied for fourth best in the NESCAC. McCullough was involved in 13 double plays and collected 65 assists as well. Returning to first base is 2025 second team All-NESCAC James Henshon, the rising sophomore was a standout for the Jumbos last season and will look to build off his eye-opening first year campaign. Henshon contributed 82 assists, which ranked third in the NESCAC. His respectable .946 fielding percentage paired nicely with a .324 batting average and .850 OPS to open his collegiate career in impressive fashion.

Ian Robertson, Tyler Wong, Cole Bohane, and newcomers Owen Hammond, Tom Pender, Tim McGrath, and Brooks Fischer are all potential candidates to fill the rest of the infield.

OUTFIELD:

Some major holes need to be filled with the Jumbos losing three major outfielders. Henry Fleckner, Cooper Smith, and 2025 first team All-NESCAC outfielder Ben Leonard all made impactful contributions to last year's strong outfield but will not take the field for Tufts this season. All three productive outfielders captured fielding percentages above .960 and the trio totaled 243 put outs throughout the 2025 season.

Junior Caden Abraham is a probable starting outfield candidate. The California native appeared in 16 games for the Jumbos last season and finished with a .207 batting average as well as a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage that paced Tufts. Junior AJ Lysko, senior Owen McKiernan, and sophomore Brody Minick are all potential solutions to the starting outfield gaps left by the departing talent.

PITCHING:

The 2025 Jumbos staff that produced a top five finish in ERA and SO in the NESCAC takes a hit after departing three top starters. Tufts loses 2025 first team All-NESCAC pitcher Connor Podeszwa, 2025 second team All-NESCAC pitcher Jacob Lapp, and Reed Silas. The trio combined for 27 games started, 149 strikeouts, .258 batting average against, nine wins, and 158.4 total innings pitched.

Junior Michael O'Brien is set to make large contributions to the Jumbos' pitching staff after an impressive sophomore season. O'Brien made 11 appearances and started in three games, posting a near team best 3.15 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 20.0 innings thrown last season.

Mark Herlihy returns to Tufts' bullpen after a shutdown sophomore season. Herlihy's 1.30 WHIP combined nicely with his .219 batting average against.  
First year arms Paul McCarthy, Zach Brennan, Michael Horne, Max Williams, and Bennett Levinson will have opportunities to make immediate impacts for this Jumbo squad.

The Tufts pitchers will likely be backstopped by sophomore catcher Nick Banner, but there will be contention with other potential candidates for that starting position.
 
Tufts begins their 2026 season on Wednesday, March 4th at home Sol Gittleman Park against Eastern Connecticut State at 3:00 PM to start the mission towards success.