ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The Winthrop University baseball team looks to embark on its 2026 campaign, with a three-game series at home against Big East foe Georgetown, with first pitch slated for 3:00 p.m. on Friday.
AT BAT
- This will be the first ever matchup on the diamond between Winthrop and Georgetown in the two squads' history.
- Winthrop Redshirt Junior second baseman Gabe Natividad was ranked as the No. 19 second baseman in D1, and the No. 4 Mid Major 2B by D1Baseball.
- Five Eagles were named on NCWBA Stopper of the Year Watchlist, pitchers Walker Brodt, Shane Keup, Colby McNeely, Ben Rehkow, and Harrison Wilson.
- A trio of Eagles were named to the Big South Preseason All-Conference team, Gabe Natividad, Josh Skowronski, and Harrison Wilson.
- In the Big South Preseason Poll, Winthrop received 60 points in the poll, and one first-place vote for the highest preseason ranking for the Eagles since 2021.
- Winthrop returns nearly 70% of its production at the plate last season, headlined by the quartet of Natividad, Hernandez, Benhardt, and E. Wilson, as all had 60+ hits.
- There will be some new faces toeing the rubber, as the Eagles only return around 50% of their strikeout total, with Harrison Wilson the only one back with 50+ punch outs.
- Winthrop sees only 16 returning players from last year's roster, with 22 new additions to the roster.
- McGuire returned to the Winthrop baseball program last season after serving as head coach at USC Upstate the last five seasons. This marks McGuire's third stint with the Eagle program as he spent 12 seasons as an assistant coach from 1997-2002 and again in 2006-11.
- McGuire is just the fourth head coach in program history.
LOOKING AT LAST INNING
- The Eagles finished with a 31-29 record in 2025.
- Winthrop was 13th in the national in total doubles, at a mark of 131.
- As a team, the Eagles held a near whole-number batting percentage, .299, for 48th in the NCAA.
- The Eagles ranked third in the nation in Hit by Pitches.
- Winthrop placed 29th in the NCAA in hits with 622 total.
- With that, the Eagles were 26th in On Base Percentage, at a mark of .416
- Winthrop was 11th in the NCAA in total runs, with 528.
- One of the best scoring teams in the nation by runs per game at a clip of 8.8, good enough for 11th in the nation.
- Jaylen Hernandez led the Eagles in the doubles category
- Gabe Natividad led the Eagles with a .347 average over 60 games, also pacing Winthrop with a total of 77 hits.
- Jaylen Hernandez followed behind with 69 hits.
- Natividad and Hernandez had a knack for drawing contact at the plate, with Natividad finishing first in the NCAA in Hit by Pitches, as Hernandez finished 18th.
- Alan Benhardt ranked second in the Big South in Triples, and 62nd in the NCAA.
2026 HONORS
Gabe Natividad
- Preseason All-Big South Conference
- Ranked #19 second Baseman in NCAA D1 by D1Baseball
- #4 ranked Mid Major second baseman by D1Baseball
Josh Skowronski
- Preseason All-Big South Conference
- Named as MLB Draft Gem by Baseball America
- Ranked as the #8 prospect in the Big South for the 2026 draft by D1Baseball
Harrison Wilson
- Preseason All-Big South Conference
- Listed on NCBWA Stoppers of the Year Watchlist
Shane Keup
- Listed on NCBWA Stoppers of the Year Watchlist
Walker Brodt
- Listed on NCBWA Stoppers of the Year Watchlist
Colby McNeely
- Listed on NCBWA Stoppers of the Year Watchlist
Ben Rehkow
- Listed on NCBWA Stoppers of the Year Watchlist
Randy Guzman
- Ranked as the #5 prospect in the Big South for the 2026 draft by D1Baseball
Evan Vandenbosch
- Ranked as the #12 prospect in the Big South for the 2026 draft by D1Baseball
Dylan Hansen
- Ranked as the #5 prospect in the Big South for the 2027 draft by D1Baseball
Colin Crowley
- Ranked as the #10 prospect in the Big South for the 2027 draft by D1Baseball
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
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SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ARE ON SALE
Click Here to purchase single-game tickets for all home contests for the 2026 season or call/text ticket office at (803) 323-2345.
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WINTHROP IMPACT NETWORK
Winthrop Athletics is proud to announce the launch of WIN: Winthrop's Impact Network- a distinguished philanthropic giving society established to support and elevate Winthrop's 16 NCAA Division I programs and nearly 300 student-athletes.
In the new era of college athletics, it is critical now more than ever to generate revenue to provide Winthrop student-athletes with the resources and opportunities needed to compete for Big South championships and advance in the NCAA tournament. Winthrop's Impact Network members will have an elite level of direct impact on the future of Winthrop Athletics. For more information, click here.
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