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2026 High School Team Preview: De La Salle Collegiate Pilots

WARREN - Dan Cimini called his first season as head coach of Warren DeLaSalle “an unbelievable year.”

After all, the team went from a three-win season to a 24-9 record, winning the Catholic League Central after finishing last the year prior.

“We lost 1-0 in the (league) tournament, won districts and lost to a great Dakota team,” Cimini reflected on the 2025 campaign. “We have a lot to build on.”

It starts on the mound with Dylan Luepke, a Western Michigan commit, back to lead the way after he lost just one game a year ago.

Zack Wagner is the “1-B” pitcher according to Cimini, and the Central Michigan signee for football will also bat in the three-hole.

A pair of seniors, Nathan Lackey and Charlie Wicker, are also key right-handed pitchers for DeLaSalle, Lackey a Grand Rapids commit.

There is plenty of depth as well with junior left-handers Colton Sanchez and Padriag Barrett, sophomore right-hander Jake Jablonski and freshman southpaw Nathan Gordon.

“The key is we’ve just got to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” Cimini said in looking ahead to the upcoming season. “Pitch, throw strikes, play good defense and scratch out some runs in that Catholic League.”

Mark Gerardi is set to take over behind the dish this spring. The senior left-handed hitter is a Madonna recruit.

Wagner will anchor the infield at first base with Sanchez or Barrett playing the position when Wagner pitches.

Collin Green, an Aquinas recruit, will be at second base with sophomore Ariston La Torre at shortstop. Hayden Thimm adds depth to the infield, with third base wide open at this point.

Joey Cuppari is a returning starter in the outfield and the senior will lead off, with fellow 2026 classmate Sam Tucciarone another back in the outfield after earning a starting position at the end of last season. Gordon, a left-handed hitting freshman, is expected to fill the remaining outfield spot.

“I like our team speed, our youth and our excitement,” Cimini noted. “That’s been with me for the years we’ve won. Everybody bought in last year, that’s why we were successful. I set high standards and they know it. That’s the cool part.

“They’re young and they’re hungry,” Cimini added. “I’m excited about that.”

But playing in the Catholic League against state powers like Brother Rice, Detroit Catholic Central and Orchard Lake St. Mary’s will certainly bring challenges for DeLaSalle and Cimini, who coached University Liggett for 20 years, winning five state championships, before leading Northville to the 2024 state crown in his lone season at the school prior to taking over the Pilots.

“It’s a grueling league, very tough,” Cimini said. “Anybody can beat anybody on any given day.”

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