ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Central Washington University baseball team prepares for its season opener this weekend as the Wildcats travel down to California to take on Stanislaus State in a rematch of last season's opener.
 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
 
Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026
Central Washington at Stanislaus State (Doubleheader)
Game One: Noon                  |           Game Two: 3:00 p.m.
Warrior Baseball Field
Turlock, Calif.
WATCH: HERE
LISTEN: HERE
LIVE STATS: HERE
TICKETS: HERE
HISTORY: HERE
 

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026
Central Washington at Stanislaus State (Doubleheader)
Game One: 10:00 a.m.         |           Game Two: 1:00 p.m.
Warrior Baseball Field
Turlock, Calif.
WATCH: WATCH
LISTEN: LISTEN
LIVE STATS: LIVE STATS
TICKETS: TICKETS
 

SEASON OUTLOOK:

Storey enters the season for the 35th year at the helm of the Wildcat program. Central finished last season battling through a demanding GNAC slate to finish 25-26 overall and 15-17 in conference play, showing resilience and flashes of momentum throughout the spring. The Wildcats opened the year strong with a four-game sweep at Stanislaus State and continued to prove dangerous at home, posting a 13-11 record at CWU Baseball Field, highlighted by a dominant sweep of Western Oregon and a four-game sweep of Saint Martin's in April. Road stretches tested the Wildcats' depth, but key series wins at Saint Martin's, Western Oregon, and Montana State Billings kept CWU firmly in the conference mix. While consistency proved elusive against top GNAC opponents late in the year, the Wildcats closed the regular season competing down to the final weeks, laying a foundation of experience and toughness to build on moving forward.
 
The Wildcats enter the next season transitioning from a veteran-led 2025 squad to a retooled group built around a dependable returning core and an influx of young talent. Outfielder Logan Blank and infielder Andre Garza headline the returners, both poised to take on expanded leadership roles after seeing consistent action a year ago, with Blank emerging as one of the roster's most experienced everyday players and Garza providing steady infield stability. On the pitching side, the Crimson and Black welcomes back proven bullpen arm Kellen Berg along with Drake Anderson, Garet Hagy, Kaden Haffner, and Logan Thompson, giving the staff a familiar and battle-tested foundation. Catcher Braden Zadow and outfielder Max Bledy add further continuity and defensive versatility, while a large incoming class of freshmen and first-year Wildcats, including Jacob Nadeau, Xavier Espindola, Kyler Malnar, Jonathan Rominger, and Logan Lipscomb, signals a clear showing of youth and depth across the roster.


SCOUTING THE WARRIORS:
 
Stanislaus State baseball finished the 2025 season with a 21–27 overall record and a 16–22 mark in conference play, closing the year on a two-game winning streak. The season opened with a challenging series against CWU, where the Warriors dropped four close games, but rebounded with a strong early stretch that included multiple series wins over Saint Martin's and Minnesota Crookston. Conference play proved inconsistent, with highs such as a four-game road sweep of Cal State East Bay and series wins against Cal State Los Angeles and Sonoma State, balanced by tough stretches against teams like San Francisco State, Cal Poly Pomona, and Cal State Monterey Bay. The Warriors closed the season on a positive note at Chico State, splitting the final series and securing back-to-back road wins to finish the year.
 
The returning core brings back a mix of experience and production, led by Arthur Navarette Jr., who anchors the lineup with a .275 average across all 44 games and starts. Navarette led the returners in nearly every offensive category, finishing with 47 hits, 25 RBI, six doubles, three home runs, and a .374 slugging percentage, while also showing discipline with 10 walks and six hit-by-pitches. Jacob Reyes runs a high-upside bat in limited action, posting a .357 average and 1.026 OPS. Austin Sargent provides depth, recording six hits, including two doubles and a home run, while driving in five runs over 17 games. Kadon Quitno and Chase Wilson return as developing contributors, adding roster continuity and depth. Overall, the returning leaders give the squad a solid offensive foundation, highlighted by Navarette's everyday consistency and Reyes' efficiency when in the lineup.

The Warriors bring back a pitching group that logged meaningful innings across both the rotation and bullpen in 2025, led by Rocco Gurrola and Austin Balentine, who served as the primary starters. Gurrola anchored the staff with 78.1 innings over 13 starts, posting a 5-4 record while striking out 46, while Balentine matched that win total and added durability with 54.1 innings across 11 starts. Zach Geiss returns after filling a versatile role with 16 appearances and five starts, giving the staff flexibility, and Cameron Rosen provides proven bullpen experience with 17 outings, two saves, and 34 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. Adam Davies flashed promise in limited action, allowing just one hit in 2.1 scoreless innings, while Pierce Sailer and Jared Sawyer add returning depth after seeing time on the mound. Together, the returning pitchers offer a mix of starting experience, bullpen stability, and developmental upside as the Warriors look to solidify their staff moving forward.
 
 
UP NEXT:
 
The Wildcats' road battle will resume two weeks later, as they head to CSU San Bernardino to take on the Coyotes in a four-game series starting on Friday, Feb. 13 from Fiscalini Field.