BLUE DRAGON BASEBALL PICKED 2ND IN KJCCC; 24TH IN NJCAA

Hutchinson CC Sports Information

There are high expectations for the Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragon baseball team in 2026.

The Blue Dragons were picked second in the 2026 Jayhawk Conference preseason coaches poll, which was released on Wednesday. Hutchinson also start at No 24 in the NJCAA Division I Baseball Preseason Rankings, which were released last week.

Brock Nehls begins his third season with the Blue Dragons after two highly successful campaigns that have netted 91 total wins over the past two seasons.

In 2025, Hutchinson went 40-21, which included an 18-14 league mark.

CLICK FOR 2026 NJCAA DIVISION I PRESEASON BASEBALL POLL

The 2026 Blue Dragons return seven position players and seven pitchers from last year's team that posted a .321 team batting average and a 5.98 team earned-run average.

The Blue Dragons' top hitter from 2025 returns in catcher Anthony Mazza. He hit .424 (87 hits) with 27 doubles, seven home runs and 57 RBIs in his all-conference freshman season.

Also back are outfielder Leo Griffin (.336 batting average, 48 hits, 36 RBIs), Infielder Nick Glantz (.297 batting average, 36 RBIs and designated hitter/catcher Eli Duncan (.271 batting average, seven home runs, 27 RBIs).

The Blue Dragons have a returning from the 2024 Jayhawk West and Region 6 runner-up team in infielder Tyson Vassart (.296 batting average in 2024 with 21 hits, 11 RBIs).

Starting right-handed pitcher Seth Ainsworth is the only true returning starter from last season. Ainsworth was 5-3 with an ERA of 4.50 last season. He struck out 54 in 50.0 innings pitches in earning all-KJCCC honors.

Closer Colin Flores as a first-team all-KJCCC selection in 2025. Flores was 3-0 wight eight saves and an ERA of 2.78.

Also back are Noah McCombs (4-2, 6.95 ERA), Reece Usselman (2-2, 10.90 ERA) and Karter Chamberlain (0-0, 4.50 ERA).

The Blue Dragons were picked behind only Cloud County in the KJCCC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Blue Dragons and Thunderbirds had three first-place votes each in the tight voting. Barton was picked third with two first-place votes.

Hutchinson is one of three KJCCC teams ranked in the preseason NJCAA Top 25. Johnson County is No. 12 and Cowley is No. 16. Salt Lake is the preseason pick to win the 2026 NJCAA championship.

Hutchinson opens its season on February 7-8 when Des Moines Area Community College comes to Hobart-Detter Field for a three-game series.

KJCCC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Cloud County (3)      74
2. Hutchinson (3)      69
3. Barton (2)               67
T4. Butler                    45
T5. Dodge City             45
6. Colby                       39
7. Seward County (1)    29
8. Garden City              20
9. Pratt                        17