THIS WEEK
The University of Mary baseball team opens a 5-game home stand against the University of Minnesota Crookston on Wednesday, April 15. First pitch in the Northern Sun doubleheader between the Marauders and the Golden Eagles is scheduled for 1:30 pm at Municipal Ballpark in Bismarck, ND.
 
UMary then hosts the University of Minnesota Duluth for a 3-game NSIC set on Sunday and Monday, April 19-20. The Bismarck Youth Baseball and Marauders Baseball Alumni Day NSIC twin bill between the Marauders and the Bulldogs will begin at 1:30 pm. Monday's single 9-inning game will start at 11 am.
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Visit www.GoUMary.com/coverage for available links to live video and stats.
 
MARAUDERS/BULLDOGS DOUBLEHEADER MOVES BACK TO SUNDAY-MONDAY, APRIL 19-20
Due to weather concerns, the University of Mary home games with visiting University of Minnesota Duluth was pushed back one day to Sunday and Monday, April 19-20. Sunday's doubleheader is slated for a 1:30 pm start at Municipal Ballpark in Bismarck, ND. Monday's singe 9-inning game starts at 11 am.
 
THE RECORDS
The Marauders are 21-14 overall this season and 14-8 in the Northern Sun… The Golden Eagles are 21-13 overall and 14-8 in the NSIC... The Bulldogs enter the week 12-25 overall and 10-15 in the NSIC.    
 
BISMARCK YOUTH BASEBALL AND MARAUDERS ALUMNI DAY ON SUNDAY, APRIL 19, FEATURES  BISMARCK LARKS IN-GAME ENTERAIUNMENT AND BUFFALO WILD WINGS TAILGATE
Sunday, April 19, is Bismarck Youth Baseball Day and Marauders Baseball Alumni Day. Buffalo Wild Wings sponsors a pregame tailgate and the Bismarck Larks are providing in-game entertainment, including inflatables for kids and on-field games.
 
Buffalo Wild Wings is hosting a pregame tailgate starting at 12 noon with complimentary food while available.
 
All Bismarck Youth Baseball players will be admitted to the game for free.
 
Marauders baseball alumni will be recognized during the game. Former UMary baseball players and a guest will be admitted free.
 
The Bismarck Larks will provide the in-game entertainment, including inflatables for kids and on-field games.   
 
HISTORY LESSON
The Marauders are 16-18 against the Golden Eagles since 2010. The two teams split a doubleheader in Bismarck, ND, last season. Over the last 10 games UMC holds a 6-4 advantage. Of the last seven meetings, five have come in Bismarck-Mandan… The Marauders are 13-32 against the Bulldogs since 2010. UMD won 2-of-3 games last season in Bismarck, ND. Over the last 16 games, UMary owns 10 wins.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Marauders swept a doubleheader against visiting Minot State University with a pair of walk-off wins. Luke Rhee tied the first game in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out two-run single and Kieran Gaffney scored the winning run on the play when a throw by the Beavers sailed into the outfield for a wild 8-7 win. In game two, once again trailing by two runs and down to their last out, Marcus Butts and Isaac Pegors each delivered run-scoring singles in the bottom of the ninth inning. Mikey Ramirez delivered the game-winning single with two outs in the tenth inning with Gaffney once again scoring the winning run… UMary then claimed two of three games at Wayne State College. The Marauders claimed the opener 10-6 as Bryce Leafgren and Cru Walker combined for five hits and seven RBIs in a 10-6 win before the Wildcats snared game two 10-7. The Marauders rolled past the Wildcats in game three 16-4 to win the series. Marcus Butts had four hits, scored three times and drove in three runs. Kalem Haney added three hits, scored twice and drove in two. Kieran Gaffney scored three times.
 
MARAUDERS EARN FIRST-EVER NCAA POLL RECOGNITION
For the first time in program history, the University of Mary baseball team is garnering national recognition in an NCAA poll. With four wins over nationally ranked teams and six against teams appearing in the polls already this season, the Marauders are listed in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NCAA Division II Poll released April 15. UMary is listed under Others Receiving Votes and Under Consideration.
 
20 WIN SPRINT
The Marauders reached 20 wins for the sixth straight year with a 10-6 win at Wayne State College. UMary needed just 33 games to accomplish the feat, the fastest the Marauders have accomplished this task in the NCAA era. The shortest amount of time to 20 games previously was 38 games in 2021.
 
MARAUDERS TOP NCAA TOUGHEST SCHEDULE RANKINGS
UMary has played the most difficult schedule in NCAA Division II this season. The NCAA Toughest Schedule Report through April 4 lists the Marauders past opposition with a winning percentage of 0.672. The next closest team? Florida Southern with an opponent's winning percentage of .652. 
 
ACCEPTING THE CHALLENGE
The Marauders have played an incredibly challenging difficult schedule this season. Four UMary opponents are receiving national recognition this season:

• Opening weekend foe Rogers State University currently 7^th in the ABCA poll
• Minnesota State was ranked #9 when the Marauders played the Mavericks and are now #25 in the ABCA rankings
• Metropolitan State University of Denver was ranked as high at #18 this season and is #24 in the D2Baseball poll and #26 in the ABCA ranking
• Augustana ranked #14 when the Marauders claimed the series win and are now #23 in the ABCA poll

The four teams have a combined 117-30 record this season. UMary has accounted for six of those losses.
 
WALK IT OFF
For the first time since joining the NCAA, the Marauders swept a doubleheader with two walk-off wins as UMary downed Minot State University 8-7 and 5-4 on April 9. In both games the Marauders were trailing by two runs and down to their final out in the game. Luke Rhee tied the first game in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out two-run single. Attempting to take second on the throw to the plate, Rhee drew a wild throw that sailed into center, allowing Kieran Gaffney to score the winning run in the 8-7 win. In game two, once again trailing by two runs and down to their last out, Marcus Butts and Isaac Pegors each delivered run-scoring singles in the bottom of the ninth inning. Mikey Ramirez posted the game-winning single with two outs in the tenth inning with Gaffney once again scoring the winning run.
 
WALK IT OFF PART 2
The last time UMary won consecutive games in walk-off fashion was 2014. Down 1-0 to #3 Minnesota State University with two outs and Jason Shaul and Jeff Aders on base, the Mavericks pitcher threw a Sam Ingemansen comebacker to the mound down the left field line to allow both runners to score for a 2-1 UMary win on April 9. Michael Volrath threw a complete game for the win…  Three days later the Marauders trailed Upper Iowa 3-2 with two outs in the seventh inning. Austin Grunstad tripled to score Scott Held to tie the game. One batter later Shaul singled home Grunstad for the walk-off winner.  
 
MAKING THE SACRIFICE (FLY)
The Marauders set an NCAA-era team record for sacrifice flies with four in UMary's 16-4 win at Wayne State College on April 12. Isaac Pegors, Bryce Leafgren, Kieran Gaffney and Mikey Ramirez all delivered run-scoring fly balls in the game. The previous record was three.
 
HARD TO HIT
The Marauders pitching staff allows just 8.81 hits per nine innings to rank 33^rd in fewest hits allowed/nine in NCAA D2 and the 3^rd fewest hits allowed in the NSIC. 
 
FINISH WHAT YOU START
Marauders pitchers have thrown four complete games this season. Lucus Burgum has finished two of his starts and has thrown at least five innings in all eight of his appearances. Ryan Chamberlain and Aiden Johnson also have complete games this season.
 
STOP THIEF
Teams are struggling to run against UMary backstops Cru Walker and Marcus Butts. Opponents have stolen just 42 bases in 60 attempts, a success rate of 70% by opposing baserunners. The next lowest percentage in the NSIC? A 70.6% success rate against Minnesota Crookston. Walker has been especially excellent at throwing out runners. The Bismarck, ND, native has gunned down 13 of 31 runners attempting to steal when Walker has been behind the plate.
 
PUNCHOUT
Lucas Burgum is racking up the strikeouts this season. The junior righthander is striking out 9.96 batters per nine innings. Burgum fanned a season-high nine against Sioux Falls and eight against both Rogers State and Wayne State College. The Mandan, ND, native has gone at least 5.0 innings in all seven starts, including a 7-inning complete game against SMSU to win NSIC Pitcher of the Week honors and a complete game effort at Winona State… Burgum is 20^th in NCAA D2 in hits allowed per 9 innings (5.71) and 31^st in WHIP (1.04).
 
NO WALK ZONE
Ryan Chamberlain ranks 40^h in NCAA D2 in walks allowed/nine innings (1.84) and 59^th in strikeouts/walks (3.78). Chamberlain has limited opponents to 47 hits and nine walks while striking out 34 in 44 innings.
 
STINGY
Reliever Cole Smith has allowed one earned run this season. In 11 games over 16.1 innings Smith has a 4-1 record with three saves and 14 strikeouts. He has held opposing batters to nine hits.
 
SPENCER TAKES OVER ALL-TIME WINS LEAD AT UMARY
UMary head coach Tanner Spencer became the all-time winningest coach in Marauders baseball history in a doubleheader sweep of #9 Minnesota State University on February 28. Tied with Steve Legrand (121 wins from 1997-2001) entering the Northern Sun doubleheader, a pair of wins pushed Spencer to the top of the all-time wins list with 123 victories. Spencer took over the Marauders program prior to the 2020 season and is in his seventh season at UMary. Through April 14, 2026, Spencer has 139 wins at UMary.
 
Spencer has directed the Marauders to at least 20 wins for six straight seasons. UMary never had a 20-win season in NCAA play until 2021. The Marauders tied their NCAA high for wins last season with 24 while setting a new high for NSIC wins with 20.
 
LEADERS

• Leadoff hitter Kalem Haney is having another tremendous season. Climbing towards the top of the career leader boards in hits, doubles and runs scored, the senior 2B is hitting .383/.500/.495 with a .995 OPS. He has scored 34 runs, hit six doubles, two home runs, drove in 14 runs and stole five bases.
• OF Isaac Pegors has driven in 33 runs in 33 games and owns a line of .320/.422/.568 with seven doubles and eight home runs.
• OF/1B Bryce Leafgren is leading the Marauders power production with 36 RBIs and nine home runs. The senior is batting .310/.447/.595 for a 1.042 OPS. 
• SS Hank Griffin is hitting .319/.428/.496 with seven doubles, a triple and four home runs. He has scored 23 runs and driven in 20.
• 3B Kieran Gaffney is third on the team with 29 runs scored. The senior is hitting .297/.3563/.356 and has 21 RBIs.  
• C/1B Marcus Butts is hitting .373/.458/.539 for a .997 OPS. The sophomore leads UMary with eight doubles. He has scored 26 runs as has three home runs and 16 RBIs.
• Lucas Burgum has gone at least 5.0 innings in all eight starts and leads UMary in innings (47), strikeouts (52), WHIP (1.04), and ERA (3.45)
• Aiden Johnson has allowed six walks and struck out 26 in 31.1 innings with a 1.37 WHIP
• Ryan Chamberlain has a 1.27 WHIP over 44 innings with 34 Ks and nine walks
• LHP Justin Hanson has 29 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. 
• Cole Smith leads the team in wins (4) and saves (3) with all three victories coming in relief. The sophomore has allowed one earned run in 16.1 innings. He has given up nine hits, walked eight and struck out 14.
• Jacob Burgess owns a 3.38 ERA after 13.1 innings of relief. He has allowed 15 hits with seven walks and eight strike outs.

 
2026 MARAUDERS HONORS

• Ryan Chamberlain was named NSIC Pitcher of the Week the opening week of the season. He pitched six shutout innings of relief in the Marauders 15-inning 5-1 win at Rogers State University. Entering the game in the sixth inning with the game tied 1-1, the Laramie, WY, native limited the Hillcats to two hits and a walk as he retired 18 of the 21 batters he faced. Chamberlain stuck out five as he allowed only two baserunners to reach as far a second base. This is the second time Chamberlain has earned NSIC Pitcher of the Week honors in his career, the only Marauder to win NSIC pitching honors twice in a career.
• Lucas Burgum was the NSIC Pitcher of the Week for a 5-1 complete game win over Southwest Minesota State in his first career home start for UMary. Burgum limited SMSU to two hits, a walk and an unearned run over seven innings. The Mandan, ND, native struck out six hitters and allowed just five baserunners. After SMSU took advantage of a pair off UMary errors to score an unearned run in the first inning, Burgum closed out the win by throwing six scoreless innings. Only one bitter reached base over the last four innings.
• Ryan Chamberlain was named the NSIC Pitcher of the Week April 7 after he earned a win and a save in the same week, becoming the first UMary pitcher to win the honor twice in one season. Chamberlain opened the week with a 7-inning complete game 11-1 win at Northern State University. He struck out five and didn't walk a batter while limiting the Wolves to one run and six hits. Four days later the senior from Laramie, WY, picked up the save in the Marauders 7-2 win over #14 Augustana to give UMary its first-ever series win against the Vikings. Entering the game in the sixth inning with one out, two runners on base and UMary leading 2-0, Chamberlain struck out both batters he faced to end the Augie threat. He pitched 3.2 innings to earn his second save of the season, striking out three, walking one and allowing two runs and five hits… For the week, Chamberlain pitched 10.2 innings over two games, struck out eight and allowed three earned runs.

 
WELCOME BACK FOR 2026

• The Marauders return 24 players who saw action for UMary last season, including 13 pitchers and 12 position players (So. RHP Cullen Wilson appears in both counts as he also played in the field)
• Eight every day regulars are back for the Marauders, including 11 of the team's top 13 in total at bats from 2025
• Nine returners started at least 19 games in the field last year and six made 37 or more starts
• On the mound 13 of the Marauders 20 pitchers who saw action last season remain on the squad, including pitchers who made 33 of UMary's 51 starts
• The Marauders return three All-NSIC Players: OF Isaac Pegors (1^st team 2025), OF/1B Bryce Leafgren (2^nd team 2025) and MI Kalem Haney (1^st team 2025)
• Haney is a 4-year starter in the middle infield for UMary with a lifetime slash line of .316/.42/.482
• Senior Bryce Leafgren slashed .344/.468/.620 with 11 home runs in his first season as a starter in 2025
• Senior Kieran Gaffney returns after starting all 51 games last season at 3B in his first season at UMary
• Senior Hank Griffin started 48 games last season and is back to play shortstop
• Senior Luke Rhee is back for a second season at UMary after starting 37 games for the Marauders
• Senior Cru Walker (27 starts) and sophomore Marcus Butts (25 starts) will tag-team catcher again for UMary
• Aiden Johnson (2) and Ryan Chamberlain (1) combined to throw all three of the Marauders complete games and shutouts last year. They threw a combined 122 innings and both made 12 starts to lead the UMary pitching staff.
• Sam Hayen returns after posting seven saves and two wins

 
PEGORS NAMED NSIC PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR, D2BASEBALL AND NCBWA PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
Isaac Pegors, the reigning conference player of the year, is the 2026 Northern Sun Baseball Preseason Player of the Year. The Marauders All-American becomes the first UMary baseball scholar-athlete to earn NSIC preseason player of the year accolades. Pegors also earned 2026 Preseason All-American honors from D2Baseball and NCBWA.
 
Pegors broke school records with 18 home runs and 65 runs batted in during the 2025 season. In 47 games the Bismarck, ND, native led the NSIC in slugging percentage (.795) and OPS (1.287). He hit .398 with 10 doubles and scored 42 runs.
 
The first UMary player to earn NSIC Player of the Year honors, Pegors was selected as a 3rd team All-American by both D2CCA and NCBWA to become the Marauders first NCAA All-American and the second All-American overall in program history. The Legacy High School product also received All-Region honors from CCA, ABCA/Rawlings and NCBWA and was selected to the All-NSIC first team.
 
Additionally Pegors is the first UMary baseball player named to the Academic All-America first team as selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC).
 
JOHNSON SELECTED UMARY PITCHER TO WATCH FOR NSIC
After an impressive first year at UMary in 2025, Aiden Johnson is back for his senior season to again headline the Marauders rotation. The 6-foot-6 right hander from Westminster, CO, pitched two complete game shutouts last season, including a 2-0 shutout of defending champion Augustana to win NSIC Pitcher of the Week honors. Johnson finished the season 5-4 with a 4.62 ERA in 12 starts covering 62.1 innings. He struck out 44 and walked just 17 to post a 1.36 WHIP.
 
UMARY PICKED TO FINISH 7^th IN NSIC PRESEASON POLL
The Marauders are projected to finish in seventh place in the 2026 NSIC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll, which would once again qualify the team for postseason play. UMary has earned a berth in the Northern Sun tournament the last two seasons and four of the last five.
 
BASEBALL TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE
Tickets for University of Mary baseball home games are now available for purchase online at www.UMaryTickets.com and via the HomeTown Fan App for iOS and Android mobile devices.
 
Baseball tickets are also available at the gate. Fans who purchase tickets online at www.UMaryTickets.com and on the HomeTown Fan App receive a discount over tickets purchased at the gate.
 
UMary students and faculty and staff with their MCard are admitted FREE.
 
Additionally children ages 12 and younger with an adult are admitted FREE. If children 12 and under unaccompanied by an adult the admission fee is $5 cash or $5 + fees with credit card.
 
Baseball Ticket Prices – Online

• Adult tickets $10 plus fees
• Seniors and Youth (ages 13-18) $5 plus fees
• Children 12 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied children ticket prices are $5 plus fees

 
Baseball Ticket Prices – At the gate

• Adult tickets $15 cash | $15 + fees with credit card
• Seniors and Youth (aged 13-18) $10 cash | $10 + fees with credit card
• Children 12 and under are FREE when accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied children ticket prices are $5 cash | $5 + fees with credit card.
• Both cash and credit card payments will be accepted at the UMary ticket gate.

 
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