With heavy turnover from the program's 2025 NCAA team, Binghamton will look to reshape its lineup as it enters 2026. Five of the nine position starters have graduated, including elite hitters 2-5 in what was one of the most explosive offenses in program history.

But there is no better coach equipped to retool and contend then six-time America East Coach of the Year Tim Sinicki (729 wins), the longest-tenured current one-stop coach in the NCAA, now in his 34^th season at Binghamton.

While Sinicki's 2025 squad leaned on its offensive production to overcome an unprecedented rash of pitching injuries, his 2026 edition might lean the other way, with the pitching depth more than capable of leading the way while a new lineup settles in.

"We lost a lot of at-bats from last year's championship season so this year's team will have to create its own identity," Sinicki says. "We might be a little short on experience in our lineup but not short on talent so it just might take some time but that's what the first 14 games are for. We do, however, return the bulk of our pitching staff so that's where we have the most experience."

Tarsia back to anchor starting rotation
Junior Hayden Tarsia is back after earning second team all-conference laurels in 2025. Initially slated as one of the team's top relievers, Tarsia moved into the starting rotation in late March when injuries struck the staff. He responded with a stellar sophomore season. Tarsia led the team with 12 starts and was particularly effective in league play, going 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA in eight starts against America East opponents.

"Hayden has worked extremely hard to earn the Friday night role," Sinicki says. "He's got really good stuff and brings a high-level of pitchability to the mound every time he touches the ball."

The occupants of the other two weekend spots depends on the health of returning veterans Ryan Bates and Colin Rhein – both completing rehabilitation from season-ending injuries last spring. Bates began 2025 as the team's No. 1 starter and looked the part in the season opener at Texas State with seven strikeouts in 4.0 innings. But that was his lone appearance. Rhein made six starts, had a 4.75 ERA and posted wins over Missouri and Holy Cross before his season was cut short in late March.    

Other strong starting options are sophomore Brady Bouchard and junior Conner Griffin. Bouchard appeared in 18 games with seven starts as a freshman. His inaugural collegiate campaign ended with a prominent start at the NCAA Regional, where he struck out four in 2.1 innings at Georgia. Bouchard earned America East All-Rookie Team status after going 1-0 with a 5.72 ERA in eight conference relief appearances. Griffin, owner of an electric upper-90s fastball, has attracted the attention of MLB scouts. He made 16 relief appearances in 2025 and minus two tough outings, allowed just five earned runs in 17 IP (2.65 ERA).

The bullpen returns nine other arms, including junior closer Jackson Mitchell (4 saves), high-stakes reliever Jake Dally (2.51 ERA in conference play) and sophomore innings-eating lefty Vincent Luther (36.1 IP, late-season weekend starter).

Bolton back in center field and at top of lineup
After posting one of the best freshman seasons in program history, sophomore center fielder Matt Bolton returns to anchor the outfield and offensive lineup from the leadoff spot. In 2025, Bolton became the first freshman in America East history to lead the league in both hits (78) and runs (61). A first team all-conference selection, he hit .347 and combined his offensive spark with exceptional defense in center.

"Batting leadoff most of the season with a veteran lineup was so impressive," Sinicki says of Bolton. "And then to be the type of outfielder in center field and do the things he did .. well it's just not the normal freshman season for most players in the country. And to Matt's credit, he handled it like a veteran."

Sophomore transfer Grant Hunter is set to open in left field after playing his freshman season at ACC member Virginia Tech. He was a South Jersey first team all-state outfielder in high school and comes from a strong family pedigree (brother plays in Cincinnati Reds organization).

Several players are in the mix in right field, headed by junior Todd Abraham, who earned 25 starts last spring at four different positions before playing postseason in the DH spot. He was one of the heroes at the America East tournament, with two RBI, including the game-winning sacrifice fly in the 11^th inning to beat Bryant in the championship game.

Sophomore Sam Miller, who hit .281 during an 18-game stretch in 2025, will compete for time.

Four-year starter Stellrecht anchors infield
Senior shortstop Mike Stellrecht, who has started 118 games as a Bearcat, is back to anchor the infield, which loses two first team all-conference players at the corners Devan Bade (3B) and Freddy Forgione (1B).

Stellrecht hit .333 with nine RBI in last 13 games of season, which coincided with the Bearcats' big postseason run. He capped his America East tournament with a record 5-for-5, 5 RBI showing against UAlbany, tying the conference championship record for hits. Defensively, Stellrecht turned 27 double plays and committed just seven errors in 224 chances (.969).

Senior Zack Kent returns to second base and an important spot in the batting lineup after a strong 2025 campaign. Kent hit .288 with 16 extra-base hits and 41 RBI in his first season as a Bearcat. Like many Binghamton players, he shined in the postseason with nine hits and nine RBI in the five America East tournament games, garnering All-Championship selection. Kent committed only four errors in 198 chances during season (.980) and hit .321 with 34 RBI over his final 39 games.

"Every team wants to be strong up the middle on defense, so we're all really happy with our middle infield combo of Stellrecht and Kent returning, along with Bolton in centerfield and a good trio of catchers behind the plate," Sinicki says.  

Sophomore lefty Steven Kraus takes over at first base after easing into his collegiate career with 15 starts at first and DH last spring. He belted a pair of home runs, including a dramatic pinch-hit 2-out, 2-run home run to tie NJIT and propel Bearcats to a key late-season win.  

Sophomore Tim Hennig has the inside track to start at third base. He saw action in 15 games last spring. Freshmen Chase Fulford and Owen Rich will push for time at third and also each be options at short.

Overhaul at catcher
With the graduation of two first team all-conference selections and veteran catchers (Evin Sullivan, Zach Rogacki), the Bearcats have a three-man competition and will turn the page with a new look behind the plate.

Returning sophomore Tommy Popoff saw action in nine games last year. Junior transfer Zach Anderson (Cypress College, Calif.) and sophomore transfer Andrew Heppner (Pace Univ.) will compete for time, with Heppner also being a strong candidate for DH duty.

Picked first in America East Preseason Poll
For the third time in four years, Binghamton has been picked to win the America East. The reigning champion Bearcats were slotted first in the Coaches Preseason Poll with 32 points and three first-place votes. Last spring's runnerup, Bryant, garnered 30 points and three first-place votes. NJIT (26) and UAlbany (21) rounded out the top four. Binghamton will host the six-team championship May 20-23 at the Complex.

Before the 24-game conference slate opens, however, Binghamton will start its 27-game non-conference slate, beginning with the opening series against NCAA tournament mainstay Dallas Baptist on Feb. 13-15. The Bearcats also will face reigning MAAC champion and 2025 NCAA participant Fairfield (March 27-28), Atlantic-10 members Richmond (March 6-8) and St. Bonaventure (March 10, 31), Big East member Seton Hall (March 29), CAA power William & Mary (Feb. 20-22) and Big South frontrunner High Point (Feb. 27-March 1).  

Binghamton also will continue its longstanding rivalry with in-state opponents Cornell (3 games), Le Moyne (2 games), St. Bonaventure (2 games) and Siena. 

New season, revamped roster but same expectations
Sinicki knows every season unfolds as a unique experience and that "newness" is what continues to motivate his staff every spring. With two conference titles and NCAA Regional appearances in the last four years, "excellence" certainly isn't new at Binghamton.

"I look forward to the start of every season, but this year has me more excited than ever," he says. "I can't wait to get started and see what some of the players who are getting a chance to make an impact are going to do for this team."

Bearcat fans and alums are eager to once again enjoy the ride.