WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Feb. 24) – The 2026 season will have a much different look to it than one year ago as six regulars in the 2025 lineup are no longer on the roster. However, with plenty of veteran arms to lead the pitching staff and multiple talented newcomers to fuel the batting order, second-year head coach Michael Impellittiere and his staff are confident that the Yellow Jackets will be able to take a step up from last year's 7-29 season that included a 3-16 record in Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) play.
 
The starting rotation is anchored by senior Ethan Erhard (Greensburg, Pa. / Hempfield), graduate student Gavin Pratt (Carmichaels, Pa. / Carmichaels), senior Hudson Pincavitch (Waynesburg, Pa. / Waynesburg Central) and sophomore Ryan Opfer (Houston, Pa. / Chartiers-Houston). That quartet posted four of the top seven innings totals on the team last year and four of the top 10 strikeout totals.
 
Pratt could also see starting reps at designated hitter and in the outfield.
 
Waynesburg is making an intriguing move to bolster its relief pitching this spring by taking Dalton Lucey (Waynesburg, Pa. / West Greene) out of a starting spot and making him the team's closer. He headlines a bullpen that includes senior righty Zach Scibelli (Ravenna, Ohio / Ravenna), junior Alex Nicholson (Cortland, Ohio / Mathews), sophomore Mo Kiger (Waynesburg, Pa. / West Greene) and junior Mike McReady (Greensburg, Pa. / Greensburg Central Catholic).
 
A slew of newcomers including transfer graduate student Nick Skoufalos (Cherry Hill, N.J. / Doane Academy) will add to a pitching crew that is not short on numbers.
 
When it comes to the man behind the plate handling those pitcher, junior Hunter Mamie (Eighty Four, Pa. / Riggold) is expected to catch the bulk of the innings. Last year, he started nine of the 14 games in which he appeared and posted a .267 batting average.
 
Sticking in the infield, the Jackets are led by junior Trent Giraffa (Hanover, Pa. / Delone Catholic), who leads all returners in batting average, OPS, runs scored, hits, doubles, walks, on-base percentage and RBIs. He's expected to hold down the starting spot at first base.
 
The graduation of Dalton Mount, who remains with the team as a graduate assistant, leaves a sizeable hole at second base. Senior Noah Gabriel (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Shaler) got the first crack at the job in the season-opening doubleheader against La Roche.
 
Waynesburg does return its starting shortstop in sophomore Kaden Flambard (Bethel Park, Pa. / Bethel Park), who started 17 of the 20 game in which he appeared as a freshman.
 
The Jackets also lose some serious experience at third base with the graduation of Mike Bell and Alec Engelmore. The first player to get a shot at the job this season was freshman Mason Leonard (Latrobe, Pa. / Greater Latrobe). He responded by scoring a pair of runs in the Jackets' 5-3 win over La Roche.
 
The Waynesburg outfield is led by senior Jordan Mosley (St. Albans, W.Va. / St. Albans), who is back after making 27 starts in the grass and batting a respectable .266. Though Mosley is the only regular starting outfielder back this spring, senior Hunter Hamilton (Holbrook, Pa. / West Greene) has logged plenty of field time as a Jacket, as has junior Danny Flynn (Mt. Lebanon, Pa. / Mt. Lebanon).
 
While there are multiple talented freshmen who will see time on the field, Eli Boring (Greater Latrobe, Pa. / Latrobe) had a solid debut in right field with the Orange and Black against La Roche. He went 2-for-6 at the plate with a double, a walk, three RBIs and a run scored. He also logged his first stolen base in the doubleheader sweep.
 
Waynesburg is back in action tomorrow when it hosts Wilson for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.