THIS WEEK
The University of Mary opens postseason play at the Northern Sun Baseball Tournament in Sioux Falls, SD, on Wednesday, May 6. The 3^rd seeded Marauders will face #6 Winona State University at 6 pm on Augustana University's Ronken Field.  
 
Should the Marauders win their opening game against Winona State, UMary then plays the winner of the Minnesota State/Minot State game at 3:30 pm Thursday, May 7, at the Sioux Falls Stadium Birdcage. An opening day loss will pit the Marauders against the loser of the Mavericks/Beavers game at 12 noon Thursday at Ronken Field.
 
FOLLOW LIVE
Visit www.GoUMary.com/coverage for available links to live video and stats.
 
2026 NSIC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT QUICK FACTS

• The Marauders earned the #3 seed after finishing third in the NSIC regular season standings. Both the seed and regular season finish are program bests.
• The 8-team double elimination tournament is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 through Saturday, May 9, in Sioux Falls, SD.
• Games on Day 1 and Day 2 will be played at Augustana's Ronken Field and the Sioux Falls Stadium Birdcage. Games Friday and Saturday will be at the Birdcage.
• The NSIC tournament champion earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Central Region Tournament.

 
2026 Northern Sun Baseball Opening Round Schedule

Wednesday, May 6
Birdcage	(1 seed) Augustana vs. (8) Minnesota Crookston	12 pm
Ronken Field	(4) Wayne State vs. (5) Sioux Falls	12 pm
Birdcage	(2) Minnesota State vs. (7) Minot State	6 pm
Ronken Field	(3) UMary vs. (6) Winona State	6 pm

 
NSIC Tournament Tickets
Ticket Prices/Day
Adult Ticket: $23.00
Student Ticket: $8.00
Children 5 & Under: Free

All-Tournament Pass:
Adult: $41.00
Student: $15.00
 
NSIC Network Access: The NSIC tournament will be streamed on the NSIC Network (www.nsicnetwork.com) for a charge of $10 per game or $30 for a tournament pass.
 
CLICK HERE for more tournament details or go to www.northernsun.org 
 
THE RECORDS
The Marauders are 34-16 overall this season and finished third in the NSIC with a record of 27-10… Winona State is 25-24 overall and finished sixth in the NSIC with a record of 20-16.
 
HISTORY LESSON
Since the series began in 2008, the Marauders are 20-35 against the Warriors. UMary has won seven of the last nine meetings. This spring the Marauders won 3-of-4 on the road against the Warriors, including 2-of-3 NSIC games. In the four games UMary outscored WSU 40-21.
 
NSIC TOURNAMENT HISTORY
The Marauders have made four previous NSIC tournament appearances… in 2021 UMary lost a best-of-3 series at St. Cloud State 2–0 (L 6-4, L 8-5)… In 2022 UMary fell 19-2 to Augustana and 6-3 to Minot State… in 2024 the Marauders lost 5-1 to Minnesota State and 6-5 to Minnesota Crookston… In 2025 UMary dropped games to Minnesota State (10-2) and St. Cloud State (9-7).
 
RECORD-BREAKING WINS
The University of Mary set several program records this season:

• Single season wins – 34 (old record 30 in 2002)
• NSIC wins – 27 (old record 20 in 2025)
• Consecutive wins – 11 (old record nine in 2022)
• Best NSIC finish – 3^rd place (old record 6^th place in 2021)
• Best NSIC tournament seed - #3 (old record #6 in 2021)

 
NATIONAL RECOGNITION

• For the first time in program history, the Marauders are earning recognition in the ABCA NCAA Division II national rankings. Starting with the April 14 poll, UMary is listed as receiving votes and under consideration for the 2026 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) NCAA Division II Baseball Coaches Poll the last three weeks. A new ranking will be released May 5.
• The Marauders cracked the NCAA Central Region poll for the first time in program history this season. UMary has been included in both Central Region rankings that have been published in 2006. Listed among the ten teams considered for postseason play in the first ranking of the season (done alphabetically) the Marauders were listed at #6 in the first numerical rankings released April 29. The 3^rd and final regular season rankings will be announced Wednesday, May 6. The NCAA tournament field will be announced May 10 at 9 pm on NCAA.com.

 
MARAUDERS SHOW STRONG REGIONAL PRESENCE
The Marauders are 5-6 against teams listed in the NCAA Central Region rankings announced April 29. UMary went 1-3 at Rogers State on opening weekend, split a 4-game series with Minnesota State and claimed 2-of-3 against Augustana… The NCAA Central Region is made up of teams from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) and the Great American Conference (GAC). Automatic bids are awarded to the tournament champions from each conference with the final five spots awarded on an at-large basis… The championship preliminary round competition provides for 16 regional sites that consist of either 3-team or 4-team, double-elimination tournaments. The winners of these regional-round competitions advance to a super-regional round that consist of two teams competing in a best-of-three series. The NCAA Central Regional preliminary round will consist of two 4-team double elimination tournaments. The NCAA DII Baseball Selection Show is scheduled to stream on NCAA.com on Sunday, May 10, at 9 pm central time.  
 
LAST TIME OUT
UMary finished the last week of the regular season 4-1 with a pair of doubleheader sweeps… In their final home games of the season, UMary downed Bemidji State 3-2 and 7-5 to break the school record for wins in a season… UMary them swept a doubleheader from St. Cloud State for the first time, 8-1 and 3-1. SCSU broke the Marauders 11-game win streak in the final game of the season 12-3 as UMary claimed its first-ever series win over the Huskies.
 
MARAUDERS #15 IN NCAA TOUGHEST SCHEDULE RANKINGS
After spending much of the season atop the NCAA Toughest Schedule Report, UMary is now listed as having played the 25^th toughest schedule in the country with the opposition claiming a cumulative win percentage of .549 through May 2. The Marauders schedule was ranked as the nation's most difficult in NCAA Division II through games of April 15. UMary has still played the most difficult schedule in the Northern Sun with Minnesota Duluth next at #40 (.538) and Augustana at #41 (.537).
 
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 10^th in the ABCA poll
• Minnesota State was ranked #9 when the Marauders played the Mavericks and are now #13 in the ABCA rankings
• Metropolitan State University of Denver was ranked as high at #18 this season and is now receiving votes
• Augustana ranked #14 when the Marauders claimed the series win and are now receiving votes in the ABCA poll

 
HARD TO HIT
The Marauders pitching staff allows just 8.89 hits per nine innings to rank 31^st in fewest hits allowed/nine in NCAA D2 and the 3^rd fewest hits allowed in the NSIC. 
 
HANEY CLIMBING CAREER CHARTS
Kalem Haney is closing in on the Marauders all-time record for hits in a career. The senior second baseman has 199 in his career to tie Cal James for 2^nd place. Noah Hull leads in career hits with 206… Haney ranks first in career runs scored with 162 and is fourth in doubles with 41 (James is 1^st with 48).
 
POWER PLAY
Isaac Pegors and Bryce Leafgren are battling for the team lead in home runs. Pegors has 15 round trippers with Leafgren right behind with 12. The combined 27 home runs is the 2^nd most by a duo in school history. The record is 29 by Pegors (18) and Leafgren (11) last season… Pegors now has the top two single-season home run totals in program history (18 in 2025, 15 in 2026)… Leafgren ranks sixth hor home runs in a season with 12… Pegors also has the top two single season RBI totals in school history (65 in 2025, 57 in 2026)... Leafgren's 51 RBIs are tied for 6^th in a single season.  
 
FINISH WHAT YOU START
Marauders pitchers have thrown six complete games this season. Lucus Burgum has finished three of his starts and has thrown at least five innings in all 11 of his appearances… Ryan Chamberlain owns two complete games and has pitched at least 5.0 innings in 5-of-7 starts… Aiden Johnson has one complete game this season.
 
STOP THIEF
Teams are struggling to run against UMary backstops Cru Walker and Marcus Butts. Opponents have stolen just 49 bases in 72 attempts, a success rate of 68.1% by opposing baserunners. The next lowest percentage in the NSIC? A 75.5% success rate against Northern State. Walker has been especially excellent at throwing out runners. The Bismarck, ND, native has gunned down 16 of 38 runners attempting to steal when Walker has been behind the plate.
 
PUNCHOUT
Lucas Burgum is racking up the strikeouts at an impressive rate this season. The junior righthander is striking out 9.42 batters per nine innings. Burgum fanned a season-high nine against Sioux Falls and Concordia-St. Paul and eight against both Rogers State and Wayne State College. The Mandan, ND, native has gone at least 5.0 innings in all 11 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 and a shutout over CSP… Burgum is 13^th in NCAA D2 in hits allowed per 9 innings (6.37) and 16^th in WHIP (1.05).
 
NO WALK ZONE
Ryan Chamberlain ranks 32^nd in NCAA D2 in walks allowed/nine innings (1.87) and 26^th in strikeouts/walks (4.36). Chamberlain has limited opponents to 73 hits and 14 walks while striking out 61 in a team-high 67.1 innings… Aiden Johnson ranks 37^th in walks/nine innings (1.27). He has given up 11 free passes in 50.1 innings.  
 
STINGY
Reliever Cole Smith has allowed three earned runs this season. In 15 games over 20.1 innings Smith has a 4-1 record with seven saves and 18 strikeouts. He has held opposing batters to 13 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 May 4, 2026, Spencer has 152 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, Spencer's first full season. The Marauders set a school record this season for wins (34), NSIC wins (27) and finish in the NSIC (3^rd place).
 
CHAMPIONS OF THE BADLANDS
The Marauders finished a perfect 5-0 against their fellow North Dakota NCAA Division II Northern Sun competitors. UMary took all three games this season against Minot State University and swept two games against the University of Jamestown.
 
LEADERS

• Leadoff hitter Kalem Haney is having another tremendous season. Climbing towards the Marauders career leader boards in hits, doubles and runs scored, the senior 2B is hitting .381/.500/.492 with a .992 OPS. He has scored 38 runs, hit seven doubles, two home runs, drove in 15 runs and stole five bases.
• OF Isaac Pegors has driven in 57 runs and scored 46 times in 48 games. He owns a line of .337/.431/.640 with nine doubles and 15 home runs.
• OF/1B Bryce Leafgren is having another stellar season. The 2025 All-NSIC player has 51 RBIs, 14 doubles and 12 home runs. The senior is batting .349/.467/.645 for a 1.108 OPS. 
• SS Hank Griffin is hitting .337/.443/.520 with 12 doubles, a triple and six home runs. He has scored 39 runs and driven in 25.
• 3B Kieran Gaffney is 6^th on the team with 34 runs scored. The senior is hitting .300/.357/.353 and has 30 RBIs.  
• C/1B Marcus Butts is hitting .364/.467/.500 for a .967 OPS. The sophomore owns nine doubles. He has scored 43 runs as has four home runs and 23 RBIs.
• Lucas Burgum has gone at least 5.0 innings in all 11 starts. In 65 innings he leads the team in strikeouts (68), WHIP (1.05), and ERA (3.18)
• Aiden Johnson has allowed 11 walks and struck out 35 in 50.1 innings with a 1.27 WHIP
• Ryan Chamberlain has a 1.29 WHIP over a team-leading 67.1 innings. The senior leads the teams in wins and is 6-1 with three saves, 61 Ks and 14 walks. 
• LHP Justin Hanson has 36 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. 
• Cole Smith leads the team saves (7) and is second in wins (4-1). The sophomore has allowed three earned runs in 20.1 innings. He has given up 13 hits, walked nine and struck out 18.

 
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.
• An explosive hitting performance by University of Mary outfielder Isaac Pegors earned the Bismarck, ND, native Northern Sun and National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) NCAA Division II Central Region Baseball Player of the Week accolades on April 21. This is the second time in his career he has won both awards and the first time winning those honors in 2026… Pegors blasted home runs in all four Marauders wins during the week and had both a hit and scored a run in all five games. Over the course of the five home games, the Legacy High School product went 8-for-16 at the plate with a double and four home runs. He scored nine runs, delivered 11 RBIs and posted a line of .500/.619/1.313 and an OPS of 1.932. He also walked four times and didn't strike out… In a doubleheader sweep of the University of Minnesota Crookston, Pegors homered, scored twice and drove in two runs in both games. In a 14-4 win over the University of Minnesota Duluth, the right fielder was 4-for-4 with a double, a home run, three runs scored and four RBIs. He also walked twice. In the series finale, Pegors blasted a 3-run home run in a 7-5 win over the Bulldogs.

 
SENIOR DAY
The Marauders honored 14 seniors on Saturday, April 25. Playing their final season for the Blue & Orange are Kalem Haney, Cru Walker, Luke Rhee, Hank Griffin, Riley Pearce, Mikey Ramirez, Kieran Gaffney, Bryce Leafgren, Sam Hayen, Aiden Johnson, Adam Golby, Ben Zehr, Andrew Linn and Ryan Chamberlain. Haney, Walker, Leafgren and Chamberlain have all played four seasons for UMary.  
 
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.
 
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