2025 PUMA Classic: Friday Preview
September 10, 2025
On Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13, the JUCO Wire staff is headed to Westfield, Ind., home of the state-of-the-art Grand Park complex that will, once again, host the annual Puma Classic. This event features 30 teams with many need-to-know prospects who are capable of contributing at the next level – be it a four-year opportunity or pro ball.
Today, we’re going to spend some time breaking down the talent set to play on Friday. We’ll preview Saturday’s talent tomorrow.
You can find more information about the event by following this link. The following information was assembled with the help of these participating head coaches, who provided us with details on their team’s 2025-26 outlook.
DMACC
Head Coach: Nic Mishler
2025 Record: 25-30
2025 Postseason Run: Lost in semi-finals of conference tournament
Top Returning Players:
- SO. MIF Blake Crancer: .292/.390/.433, .823 OPS, 14 XBH, 19 SB, 37 RBI, 5 HR
- SO. IF/OF Adam Leininger: .299/.476/.556, 1.032 OPS, 17 XBH, 35 RBI, 6 HR
- SO. C/OF Brock Moore: .300/.409/.522, .931 OPS, 11 XBH, 23 RBI
- SO. RHP Andrew Theiss: 4.25 ERA, 25 K, 2 SV, 29.2 IP - in conference play
- SO. LHP Gage Miller: 22.2 IP, 24 K
- SO. RHP Jordan Leininger: 22 K
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. MIF Nolan Galla
- RS-FR. RHP Hunter Cook: transfer from the University of Minnesota
- RS-FR. Jackson Gwin: transfer from Concordia Nebraska
- SO. LHP Sebastian Talaga: transfer from Grand Valley State
Heartland
Head Coach: Chris Razo
2025 Record: 47-16
2025 Postseason Run: Finished 7th in the country
Top Returning Players:
- SO. INF Jimmy Anderson: 19th round draft pick, .439/.520/.706, 18 2B, 63 RBI, 10 HR
- SO. C Jake Parpet: .363/.476/.615, 15 2B, 43 RBI, 5 HR
- SO. CF Bennett Summer: .348/.436/.416
- SO. RHP Dylan Nagle: 2.38 ERA, 10-1, 68 IP, 24 BB, 64 SO
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. INF TJ Jakubowski
- FR. RHP/OF Andy Antonacci
- SO. RHP Jack Olson: Northern Illinois transfer
- SO. INF Jake Troyner: Illinois-Chicago transfer
Iowa Central
Head Coach: Eric Stein
2025 Record: 48-17
2025 Postseason Run: Lost in DII Semifinal
Top Returning Players:
- SO. 1B/OF Sawyer Stein: .350/.475/.613, 1.088 OPS, 11 2B, 45 RBI, 9 HR
- SO. OF Luke Sigwarth: .301/.454/.521, 4 2B, 4 HR, 73 AB
- SO. RHP Carter Giesen: 63.1 IP, 82 K
- SO. LHP Maddux Gast: 5.25 ERA, 48 IP, 49 K
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. 1B/LHP Drew Fitzpatrick
- FR. RHP Ethan Biggar
- FR. OF Will Specht
Jefferson
Head Coach: Zac Bone
2025 Record: 29-18
Top Returning Players:
- RS-FR. 3B Dane Gray: .346/.482/.386, 25 RBI
- RS-FR. OF Brady Wilson: .275/.380/.536, 6 2B, 10 HR, 33 RBI
- SO. OF Baden Hackworth: .373/.462/.727, 1.189 OPS, 13 2B, 52 RBI, 12 HR
- SO. RHP Quinn Redfield: 28.2 IP, 21 K
- SO. RHP Sean Forbes: 24.2 IP, 34 K
- SO. LHP Codi Scott: 1.93 ERA, 18.2 IP, 23 K, 11 BB
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. OF/RHP Ryan Kliethermes
- FR. C/OF Brady Vessells
- FR. INF CJ Campbell
John A. Logan
Head Coach: Kyle Surprenant
2025 Record: 49-10
2025 Postseason Run: Region 24 Tournament
Top Returning Players:
- SO. OF/INF Jonah Weathers: .345/.435/.532, 9 2B, 49 RBI, 5 HR
- RS-SO. UTL Bryce Nevils: .371/.425/.618, 1.043, 9 2B, 53 RBI, 9 HR
- SO. INF Hayden Bates: .370/.524/.648, 1.172 OPS, 27 RBI, 3 3B, 7 HR
- SO. OF/1B Kameron Yearsley: .351/.442/.649
- SO. RHP Carter McKinney: 40.2 IP, 35 K
- SO. RHP Cole Noreuil: 33 IP, 40 K
- SO. LHP Eli Porter: 2.54 ERA, 28.1 IP, 35 K
- SO. RHP Brayd Davis: 22 IP, 40 K
- RS-SO. RHP Dylan Mannino
Top Incoming Prospects:
- SO. INF/RHP Mason Beno: Transfer from South Alabama
- RS-SO. RHP Gabe Smith: Transfer from Missouri State
- SO. RHP Logan Bingham: Transfer from Middle Tennessee State
- FR. INF Christophe Alexander
- FR. OF Hayden Bernreuter
- FR. INF Davis Collie
- FR. RHP Joe Glander
- FR. RHP Trent Kulig
- FR. RHP Reed Sherrard
Kankakee
Head Coach: Bryce Shafer
2025 Record: 46-10
2025 Postseason Run: Lost in Region 4 Tournament Championship
Top Returning Players:
- SO. INF Jack Vogt: .278 AVG, 12 2B, 34 RBI, 3 HR
- SO. INF Thomas Offill: .395/.495/.447, 5 2B, 28 RBI, 17 SB
- SO. RHP Kolin Asbury: 3.28 ERA, 68.2 IP, 71 K
- SO. RHP Clay Gadbois: 3.83 ERA, 44.2 IP. 63 K
- SO. RHP Joseph Catalano: 2.81 ERA, 32 IP, 43 K, 16 BB
- SO. RHP Maddox Quesnelle: 3.86 ERA, 30.1 IP, 25 K
Top Incoming Prospects:
- SO. INF/RHP Hendrik Vandermeer: Transfer from Northern Oklahoma Tonkawa CC
- SO. C Connor Gaitens: Transfer from Southeastern CC
- SO. C Levi Hirst: Transfer from Triton CC
- FR. RHP Chase Harrison
- FR. INF Lucas Rink
Kaskaskia
Head Coach: Mitch Koester
2025 Record: 22-27
2025 Postseason Run: Lost in Region 24 Tournament
Top Returning Players:
- SO. OF Michael O’Brien: .333/.495/.385, 6 2B, 21 RBI
- RS-SO. INF Chase Lewis: .284 AVG, 12 2B, 33 RBI
- SO. LHP Brady Phillips: 38.2 IP, 43 K
- RS-SO. RHP Jack Hendrix: 28.1 IP, 26 K
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. SS JT Augustyniak
- FR. INF Carter Harrington
Kellogg
Head Coach: Eric Laskovy
2025 Record: 40-15
2025 Postseason Run: 5th place at NJCAA D2 World Series
Top Returning Players:
- SO. OF Jake Kucharczyk: .396/.541/.698, 17 2B, 19 SB, 58 RBI, 12 HR
- SO. OF Payton Bookwalter: .383/.500/.572, 17 2B, 17 SB, 58 RBI, 5 HR
- SO. INF Tanner Olepa: .387/.535/.613, 15 2B, 43 RBI, 5 HR
- SO. C Zach Kucharczyk: .360/.437/.583, 15 2B, 16 SB, 4 HR
- SO. RHP JT Sawdon: 2.59 ERA, 41.2 IP, 55K, 13BB
- SO. LHP Caleb Kidd: 2.59 ERA, 59 IP, 43 K, 19 BB
- SO. RHP Daniel Calhoun: 3.44 ERA, 49.2 IP, 45K, 16 BB
- SO. RHP Ty Jenkins: 7-0, 38 K
- RS-SO. RHP Joshua Midbo
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. LHP Luke Soper
- SO. INF/RHP Tylor Morehouse: University of Toledo transfer
Kirkwood
Head Coach: Todd Rima
2025 Record: 37-22
2025 Postseason Run: Lost in Region 11 Tournament
Top Returning Players:
- SO. INF Landon Frost: .329/.471/.612, 1.083 OPS, 10 2B, 50 RBI, 12 HR
- SO. INF Blake Lundholm: .331/.462/.369, 6 2B, 31 RBI
- SO. INF Matt Stoltenberg: .272/.374/.465, 8 2B, 4 HR
- SO. RHP Jackson Niederwerder: 3.71 ERA, 53.1 IP, 53 K, 9 BB
- SO. RHP Reece Wrage
- SO. RHP Grant Miller
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. OF Wrigley Matthys
- FR. INF Will Nuss
- FR. 1B Jaxton Schroeder
- FR. LHP Oliver Lindstrom
Lake Land
Head Coach: Julio Godinez
2025 Record: 45-21
2025 Postseason Run: Lost in the NJCAA D1 World Series third round
Top Returning Players:
- SO. INF Kaiden Maurer: .300/.417/.378, 11 2B, 28 RBI
- SO. INF Sharif Colon: .347/.412/.564, 11 2B, 46 RBI, 9 HR
- SO. LHP Lucas Bixby: 2.53 ERA, 78.1 IP, 85 K, 27 BB
- SO. LHP Colin McCarthy: 5.79 ERA, 28 IP, 23 K, 8 BB
- RS-SO. MIF Eduardo Letamendi
Top Incoming Prospects:
- SO. OF Jalen House: Transfer from Northern Illinois
- SO. C Kyle Hartmann: Transfer from Northern Illinois
- SO. RHP Carter Orner: Transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne
- RS-FR. INF/OF Isaac Flowers: Transfer from Toledo
- RS-FR. RHP Samuel McArthur: Transfer from Illinois
- FR. INF Jimmy Downs
- FR. RHP Martin Villagomez
Lansing
Head Coach: Steven Cutter
2025 Record: 35-17
2025 Postseason Run: Region 12 Tournament
Top Returning Players:
- SO. UTL Bryce Wiggins: .355/.527/.455, 18 BB, 17 K, 31 SB
- SO. UTL Parker Vaughn: .362/.462/.543, 10 2B, 26 RBI, 15 SB
- SO. LHP Matthew Whiteman: 28.0 IP, 2.57 ERA
- SO. RHP Braden Slogor
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. INF Ryan Louch
- FR. RHP Brody Pikur
- FR. INF Jake Norton
- FR. C Carson Sweet
- FR. C Kaiden Kapa
- FR. RHP Jadon Ford
Lincoln Trail
Head Coach: Collin Maynard
2025 Record: 21-31
2025 Postseason Run: Region 24 tournament semifinal
Top Returning Players:
- SO. RHP Kade Tislow: 3.05 ERA, 41.1 IP, 47 K
- SO. UTL/RHP Pernell Whitsett: .329/.475/.582, 5 2B, 24 RBI, 5 HR
- SO. INF Adam Newell: .333/.423/.581, 6 2B, 30 RBI, 6 HR
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. MIF Landen Smith
- FR. UTL Colin Wilbon
- SO. RHP/INF Jackson Frasure: Transfer from the University of Akron
- SO. LHP Lucas Davids: Lake Erie College
- SO. OF/LHP Ben Kearns: Transfer from Brunswick CC
Mineral Area
Head Coach: Blake Jones
2025 Record: 42-8
2025 Postseason Run: Region 16 Champions, lost in 3 in the district
Top Returning Players:
- SO. IF/OF Kelly Robertson Jr: .417/.487/.673, 1.160 OPS, 18 2B, 47 RBI, 17 SB, 6 HR
- SO. IF Brad Chaisson: .375/.476/.548, 13 2B, 20 SB, 50 RBI, 4 HR
- SO. RHP Cole Murray: 3.16 ERA, 25.2 IP, 23 K, 5BB
- SO. RHP Aiden Dodson: 3.43 ERA, 42 IP, 48 K, 15 BB
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. INF Carson Shee
- FR. OF Payton Knight
- SO. RHP Jett Sutton: Transfer from Arkansas State
- SO. RHP John Hood: Transfer from Missouri Western
- SO. OF Christian Kiper: Transfer from Bellarmine
Parkland
Head Coach: Zack Pysch
2025 Record: 33-19
Top Returning Players:
- SO. RHP Tyler Tylka: 48.1 IP, 53 K
- SO. RHP Alec Bergman: 2.01 ERA, 22.1 IP, 21 K, 6 BB
- SO. LHP Cody DelFavero: 68 K, 16 BB, .85 WHIP, 60.1 IP
- SO. LHP Logan Gale: 32 K, 30 IP
- SO. INF Jayden Patel: .355/.504/.484, .988 OPS, 8 2B, 2 HR
- SO. INF Alex Schimmel: .351/.477/.500, .977 OPS, 5 2B, 4 3B
- SO. OF Nick Guidici: .286/.432/.524, .956 OPS
- SO. C Matt Carrano
Top Incoming Prospects:
- SO. RHP Amaan Khan: Transfer from St. Louis University
- SO. UTL Ethan Borggren: Transfer from Northwestern University
- SO. C Eloy Surez: Transfer from Central Alabama
Southeastern (IA)
Head Coach: Justin Schulte
2025 Record: 50-15
2025 Postseason Run: Top 6 finish, third straight World Series appearance
Top Returning Players:
- SO. RHP Keaton Fenn: 5.40 ERA, 63.1 IP, 59 K
- SO. RHP Colton Angell: 3.62 ERA, 27.1 IP, 26 K
- SO. RHP Grant Parker: 5.40 ERA, 18.1 IP, 16 K
- SO. 1B/OF Jackson Petsche: .369/.492/.631, 19 2B, 69 RBI, 10 HR
- SO. MIF Efrain Osorio: .324 AVG, 12 2B, 52 RBI, 5 HR
- SO. INF Leo Lauscher: .310/.443/.479
- SO. OF James Nydegger: 267 AVG
Top Incoming Prospects:
- SO. C Danny Rollins: Transfer from Murray State
- FR. RHP Andrew Tay
- FR. RHP Kyler Kaczmarski
- FR. INF Jake Miller
Southwestern Illinois
Head Coach: Dave Garcia
2025 Record: 44-14
Top Returning Players:
- SO. INF Jackson Stanek: .289/.444/.541, 10 2B, 43 RBI, 8 HR
- SO. Geovani Escandon: .284/.409/.471, 18 2B, 36 RBI
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. OF/INF Gavin Bailey
- FR. OF/INF Filippo Baratta
- FR. RHP Brock Fearday
Triton
Head Coach: Ernest Radcliffe
2025 Record: 13-31
Top Returning Players:
- SO. INF Andrew Crenshaw: .382/.461/.458, 9 2B, 16 RBI
- SO. OF/RHP Elliot Alicea: .304 AVG, 2.89 ERA
- SO. LHP Jack Wolf: 56 IP, 30 K
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. INF Eric Fleetwood
Vincennes
Head Coach: Chris Barney
2025 Record: 28-34
2025 Postseason Run: Lost in Central District Tournament
Top Returning Players:
- SO. C/IF Carter Gricius: .323/.427/.561, 16 2B, 42 RBI, 7 HR
- SO. OF Jevan Andrews: .302/.416/.412, 14 2B, 24 RBI
Top Incoming Prospects:
- FR. INF Matthew (Joey) Everroad
- FR. LHP Hayden May
- FR. RHP Talan Meyers
Wabash Valley
Head Coach: Aaron Biddle
2025 Record: 35-23
2025 Postseason Run: Lost in the Region 24 tournament
Top Returning Players:
- SO. SS Enrico Veach: .341/.446/.425, 12 2B, 35 RBI, 16 SB
- SO. 2B Connor Christenson: .314/.435/.471
- SO. RHP/INF Drake DeFreitas: .286 AVG, 20 RBI, 3.55 ERA, 12.2 IP, 16 K
- SO. 1B/OF RJ Lopez: .278 AVG, 17 RBI
- SO. LHP Dylan Thompson: 4.38 ERA, 24.2 IP, 19 K
- SO. RHP Trevor Fishman: 3.43 ERA, 44.2 IP, 51 K
- SO. RHP Bennett Holdener: 4.50 ERA, 48 IP, 47 K
- SO. 1B Owen Cornett
Top Incoming Prospects:
- SO. LHP Hayden Alexander: Transfer from Three Rivers CC
- SO. RHP Larsen Burch: Transfer from Northern Essex CC
- SO. RHP Matt Helms: Transfer from Northern Kentucky University
- SO. C JT Stiner: Transfer from UNC-Wilmington
- SO. INF Brooks Barber: Transfer from Seward Co CC
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