2026 ROSTER | 2026 SCHEDULE | COACH MULVEY PRESEASON INTERVIEW (mp3)

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Hampden-Sydney College will open its 2026 Baseball campaign at the Joe Ferebee Classic hosted by Pfeiffer University on February 13-14 in Misenheimer, North Carolina. The event was originally-scheduled for Feb. 14-15, but has been altered by expected rain on Sunday. The Tigers are now scheduled to play two games on Friday, Feb. 13, including Pfeiffer at 11 a.m. and Maryville (TN) College at 6 p.m., before playing Grove City (PA) College on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 11 a.m.

H-SC returns 23 upperclassmen, including six with extensive positional starting experience, and 11 with pitching experience—two 10-game starters and two with 14-plus appearances in relief. The Garnet & Grey have added 24 newcomers to the program, including four transfer student-athletes, and eight pitchers among the group of first-year team members.

"The 2026 team is a fairly veteran group that will rely on the efforts of our junior and senior classes," said second-year head coach Michael Mulvey. "We return most of our lineup and have added some players to fill key holes in the infield. We have a core group of returning arms that gained experience as freshman last season. It is a talented team that needs to continue to build off the playoff appearance last year, and we expect to be competing for a chance to host a playoff series in May."

Coach Mulvey expects to begin the season around the infield with junior team captain Jase Howell (Portsmouth) (.382, 1 HR, 6 2Bs, 26 RBIs) at first base, junior transfer Matthew Kim (McLean) at second base, sophomore transfer Connor Powell (Midlothian) at third base and sophomore transfer Kennen Lewis (Dry Fork) at shortstop. Howell earned Third Team All-ODAC honors in 2025. Kim transferred from Frederick (MD) Community College, Powell from Richard Bland College and Kennen Lewis from NCAA Division I VMI. Initial depth will come from junior Brandon Shelhorse (Fairfax) (.375) at first, sophomore Gavin Smith (Mechanicsville) (.294) at second, freshman Hunter Langston (Moyock, NC) at third and freshman Mason Lester (Lawrence, KS) at short. The Garnet & Grey also return senior infielder Matthew Arnold (Danville) (.338, 11 2Bs, 23 RBIs), a Third Team All-ODAC honoree last season.

The outfield will open with junior Ian Martin (Martinsville) (.348) in left field, senior team captain Jack Wilson (Petersburg) (.274, 5 HRs, 12 2Bs, 25 RBIs) in center field and senior team captain Chase Sanford (Mechanicsville) (.353, 2 HRs, 9 2Bs, 24 RBIs) in right field. Sanford earned Second Team All-ODAC honors in 2025. Outfield depth to start will come from sophomore Sam Vick (Capron) (.267) in left and senior team captain Greer Farr (Southern Shores, NC) (.242) in center.

Junior Noah Leonard (Troutville) (.260) will start at catcher, with depth provided by sophomore Robert Chapman (Woodbridge) to begin the season.

The Tigers will open the season on the mound with a starting rotation of senior right-hander and team captain Sterling Austin (Petersburg) (4-6, 6.56 ERA, 59.0 IP, 44K), sophomore left-hander Noah Lewis (Crewe) (3-2, 6.62 ERA, 51.2 IP, 72K) and junior left-hander Adam Emhoff (Chesapeake) (0-2, 6.48 ERA). The bullpen will initially feature senior right-hander Jacob Williams (Chesapeake) (1-1), sophomore right-hander Brady Wilson (Virginia Beach) (1-4), sophomore right-hander Colin Mabe (Alton) and freshman right-hander (Hayden Bynum (Richmond). Senior right-hander and team captain Alex Fitz-Hugh (Chesterfield) (4-3, 2 Saves, 2.80 ERA, 45.0 IP, 46K) is expected to miss time early this spring as he continues recovery from a late-season injury in 2025, when he earned Third Team All-ODAC honors. Fitz-Hugh is tied for third all-time in career saves at the College with seven.

Coach Mulvey is once-again aided this season by second-year assistant coach Chad Wien, and 18th-year veteran assistant coach Billy Catron.

H-SC plays at home next weekend, Feb. 20-22, hosting the H-SC Invitational on Yank Bernier Field at the Ty Cobb Ballpark – Wurdeman Stadium. The Tigers are scheduled to play Muskingum (OH) University on Friday, Feb. 20, at 5 p.m. Wabash (IN) College on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. and Franklin & Marshall (PA) College on Sunday, Feb. 22, at 3 p.m.