After a heartbreaking end to the 2025 season, the Ithaca College baseball team is returning with a fresh lineup that will be quite different from what the Bombers have trotted out the past couple of seasons. To help fill that lineup, the Bombers have brought in a first-year class that is 17 deep, the biggest since 2021.
The Liberty League title was not the only thing the Bombers left behind in 2025. The team graduated six of its nine starters from the team’s Liberty League Championship game, including mainstays like outfielder Collin Feeney ’25, shortstop Riley Brawdy ’25 and third baseman Ryan Laubscher ’25.
Head coach David Valesente said that despite the departures, there should be enough bats on the roster to step into bigger roles.
“We graduated a large class last year, kind of our core group of offense, but we have some strong bats that we’re excited to have back,” Valesente said. “Camden Laney, Ethan Fantel, Matt Curtis are in the mix. We got some young guys we’re really excited about that we’re going to be moving around and will have in and out of [the] lineup.”
Where the Bombers will see the least unfamiliarity is the pitching staff. While ace Colin Leyner ’25 was lost to graduation, the Bombers will return proven starters like junior Jack Picozzi, senior Reed Bailey, senior Jack Colyer, junior Danny Drotos and sophomore Ethan Murley.
Murley, who is coming off a first-year season that saw him start nine games, with five allowing two runs or fewer, said that getting the new starters used to playing with each other will be the team’s first test.
“As of right now, I see really good potential out of everyone,” Murley said. “Our pitching, our hitting, our fielding, everything’s looking really solid. I think the main thing for us is building that chemistry back up, getting guys used to playing with different players they haven’t played with before. If we can piece those puzzle pieces together, I think we should be pretty good.”
In terms of preparation for the season, Murley said not much has changed from the season before, except for a larger focus on pitcher-specific drills and recovery. Murley emphasized the chemistry that Valesente is trying to build up.
“This fall we definitely had a lot of injuries, there was a lot of fast ramp up, fast build up into trying to get active,” Murley said. “But this winter, I definitely think the situation’s been a little bit better. [We’ve] been more codependent on each other, speaking up if you don’t feel good, listening to your bodies, making sure we’re getting active recovery. Guys feel comfortable around their teammates, their coaches, being able to speak up and talk to them if they feel or see something wrong. I think that’s really good for team chemistry.”
While Valesente pointed out first-year infielders Liam Tiernan, Merrick Sullivan and Zachary Barron as potential impact performers, an interesting new face comes in the form of first-year outfielder Anthony Mestre. Mestre, who also plays running back for the football team and served as the team’s leading kickoff returner, looks to have a chance to make an impact for the Bombers this summer.
“We’re excited to have Anthony Mestre, who we worked hard with football to secure who’s going to be doing both, so he’ll be playing with us this spring,” Valesente said. “He’s a very athletic outfielder that we’re excited about. Definitely some holes to fill from last year’s lineup, but the goal and the plan is not to miss a beat and be as strong, if not stronger, than we were last year.”
Senior second baseman Matt Curtis is one of only nine seniors on the squad in 2026. Curtis said the team focused a lot on simulating real game situations throughout the winter to stay prepared.
“The second we get in [the Athletics and Events Center] we can do a lot of inside stuff with pitchers throwing the hitters, just so you can see the wall a little better,” Curtis said. “I think a big change from this for this year has been we’ve done a lot of in-game stuff inside. Trying to do things quick, trying to put the pressure on ourselves.”
While Curtis emphasized defensive mistakes as a key thing to improve on this season, Curtis said that staying consistent is something the team is keying into.
“Sure, you can have a great game, but are you going to be the same person the next day?” Curtis said. “ I think as far as the character of the team [goes], ‘fire,’ I think is a good word. I think that energy that we’ve kind of seen in the dugout for the last couple of years from the younger guys, hopefully we get to see that on the field.”
While the potential Liberty League four-peat that was missed out on last summer still stings for the Bombers, Murley said the team is trying to put it behind them and play with the same passion no matter the circumstance.
“That’s baseball, you’re going to lose games that you should win,” Murley said. “That’s what happened. We fell short. We play like an underdog every time [we] step on the field. It doesn’t matter how much better, how much worse you are than a team. Play like you are playing for something bigger than yourself.”
With Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Hobart College and the University of Rochester all bringing back tough teams to the Liberty League, the year will be an uphill battle for the Bombers. Despite this, Valesente said the goal is no different than the seasons before.
“I have no different viewpoint or approach,” Valesente said. “The expectation’s still there,. We expect to win the league no matter who’s playing or who we’re fielding. That’s how we’re going about our daily business and what our expectations are across the board.”
The Bombers will commence their chase for another Liberty League title against the United States Merchant Marine Academy Mariners at noon Feb. 28 in Kings Point, New York.
