2026 Lakers Baseball Season Preview
Mt Pleasant, MI - The Mid Michigan College Lakers baseball enter the 2026 season with a mix of momentum, adversity, and determination as they look to build off one of the most successful years in program history.
A year ago, the Lakers finished 27–17 overall and 17–8 in the Michigan Community College Athletic Association Northern Conference, earning a runner-up finish and qualifying for the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. Once there, Mid Michigan made history by winning its first playoff game, knocking off Cuyahoga Community College in regional play and snapping the Triceratops' remarkable 41-game winning streak.
Now the goal is to take the next step.
Entering the new season, the Lakers are aiming not only to return to the postseason but to advance to the super regional for the first time in school history.
Experienced Core Returns
Mid Michigan returns 10 sophomores from last year's roster, providing a strong foundation both offensively and defensively.
The heart of the lineup will once again feature outfielders Amir Orr and Chris Williams, while the middle of the infield also returns intact with Trey Boven and Tyler Schultz anchoring shortstop and second base respectively.
Behind the plate, Nik Stimac returns and is expected to split time with redshirt freshman Matt Blazejewski. Dillon Croff also returns after seeing time at third base last season.
Pitching Staff Faces Early Challenges
The Lakers' biggest strength on paper entering the season was expected to be the top of the pitching rotation. Two of last year's aces return in David Wheeler and Donovan Heugh, giving Mid Michigan a formidable one-two punch on the mound.
Additional arms include redshirt sophomore Brandon Williams and redshirt freshman Nick Weiss, while the remainder of the pitching staff is made up primarily of freshmen or position players who may be called upon to contribute on the mound.
The situation has forced some creativity from second-year head coach Danny Smith.
"We stepped up our schedule compared to years past," Smith said. "We intended to load up with pitching and compete in 56 contests, but our pitching depth has been decimated."
The Lakers have lost nine pitchers since fall baseball due to a variety of circumstances, forcing a dramatic shift in how the staff approaches the season.
"Everyone that pitched in the past or has shown the propensity to do so is now a pitcher," Smith said. "This entire season has already been a tough one and we've played just two games due to lack of experienced pitching."
Coaching Staff Adjustments
The challenges facing the program extend beyond the roster.
The Lakers coaching staff lost pitching coach Jeff Smith to cancer in November after he spent 10 seasons coaching alongside his brother at Delta College before joining the Mid Michigan staff last season.
The loss has led to adjustments within the coaching staff. Hitting coach Lance Wilson has moved into the pitching coach role, while new coaches Brady Marwede and Toby Megregian have joined the staff to handle first base coaching and hitting duties.
"We will never come close to replacing Jeff, but Coach Wilson is doing great considering the cards he's been dealt," Smith said. "We'll keep battling."
Season Underway
Mid Michigan opened the season Thursday at Lake Michigan, splitting a pair of games. The Lakers won a wild opener 12–11 before dropping the nightcap 3–2.
Next up is the team's annual spring trip where Mid Michigan opens with Macomb Community College in Florida on Saturday.
The early-season adversity has only strengthened the mindset within the program.
"We only spent six weeks last year with the guys before opening the season," Smith said, referencing his hire in January of 2025. "Our 2025 recruiting didn't start until mid-February but we felt better by the time July rolled around. To lose nine arms and our pitching coach on top of that would make a lot of teams fold up shop and look towards 2027, but we're not built that way."
Smith summed up the team's mentality with a phrase that followed him from his success while coaching at Delta and has been an early-season rallying cry for the Lakers.
"We're Nine Guys Named Joe — and Joe's will do whatever it takes to be successful."