Leavenworth, Kan.— As the final inning closed on the Spires baseball season, this special group of USM athletes reflects on the months of dedication, grit, challenges, and perseverance that marked the 2026 season. While the final record tells only part of the story, the growth shown by the Spires and the excitement that is already building for next season continues to show the upward trajectory of USM baseball.
Head coach
Bruce Peddie and his staff have a lot to be proud of and reflect on this season and an eagerness for what's to come. After a somewhat slow start to the season, the Spires found their rhythm and finished the year playing some of their best baseball. The team battled for each other and closed out the season with an impressive 11-6 stretch, putting together four straight weeks of solid, consistent play. Their momentum building finish showed the growth, resilience, and team chemistry that defined the second half of the season for Spire baseball.
There's a lot to look forward to for Peddie's group, with five Spire athletes returning that are 300+ hitters in sophomores
Lucas Barta,
Ian Maldonado,
Tannen Buss,
Saul Vazquez-Alvarado, and
Brady Heinen. Speaking of standout freshman and outfielder Heinen, USM took a devastating hit when the Topeka native went down early this Spring with a season-ending knee injury. Brady's teammates felt his absence and contagious energy in the lineup but are already eagerly awaiting his return to USM for the 2027 season.
The Spires are honing in on a new approach to recruiting and picking up a few arms in the off-season to add further depth to their bullpen. USM will also return promising young arms in freshman
Cooper Stein and
Nicholas Hotujac and junior
Hayden Roop who exemplify the standards and expectations of Spire baseball.
USM is in great hands behind the plate, returning two of the best catchers in the conference in sophomore
Tannen Buss and
Daxton Macias. Buss would be the lone Spire to make the KCAC Post-Season Honors list in a conference stacked with competition. Tannen would account for the highest amount of put outs and assists this season and was honored on All-KCAC Third Team for his leadership of his USM squad.
The Spires would get it done in the classroom as well with sixteen athletes named to the list of All-KCAC Scholar-Athletes and eight athletes named to the All-NAIA Scholar-Athlete honor. Further, the University of Saint Mary is extremely proud to announce that the Spires were named the 2026 KCAC Team of Character, a true testament to the way Coach Peddie operates his program and the level of buy-in and unity his athletes give back to him.
All-KCAC Scholar-Athlete
All-NAIA Scholar-Athlete
Over the final stretch, the Spires played confident baseball and showed up for each other in ways that show just how much is left in store for USM baseball. Coach Peddie always posts strong retention rates, but nothing quite like his core returning group next season bringing with them an immense amount of momentum and pride into what they're building together. Spire baseball has plenty to be excited about moving forward and the USM community eagerly awaits the 2027 season. The University of Saint Mary wishes the best to the 2026 seniors
Maverick Rockers,
Ben Brandt,
Bryce Turner,
Devin Watkins,
Andres Zarate,
Luis Velazquez,
Andrew Richardson,
Moises Soriano,
Jacob Rehkow,
Emilio Ramirez,
Alex Dilley,
Gabriel Olguin,
Garrison Spoonts,
Sean Goings, and
Sebastian Del Olmo and thanks you for every ounce you brought to Spire baseball.
