BLUE DRAGONS HAVE HIGH HOPES ENTERING 2026 SEASON
Hutchinson CC Sports Information
Over his first two seasons at the helm of the Hutchinson Community College baseball program, Brock Nehls has put together the two best back-to-back seasons in a program history that dates back to 1975.
The 91 combined wins by the Blue Dragons in Nehls' first-two seasons are the most over any two-year stretch in the program's history. Nehls has one Jayhawk West championship and a Region 6 runner-up finish in the 2024 season.
Now opening his third year in the Blue Dragon dugout, Nehls hopes that successful trend continues as the 2026 season arrives.
The Blue Dragons play host to Des Moines Area Community College in a three-game series beginning Saturday at Hobart-Detter Field. Games 1 and 2 are Saturday at 1 and 3:30 p.m. The series finale is at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
BLUE DRAGON BASEBALL
No. 24 Hutchinson (0-0) vs. Des Moines Area (0-0)
2026 Opening Weekend
Game 1 – Saturday, February 7, 1:00 p.m. -Video Link
Game 2 – Saturday, February 7, 3:30 p.m. - Video Link
Game 3 – Sunday, February 8, 1:00 p.m. - Video Link
Video: Blue Dragon Sports Network, 12:50 p.m. each day
X - @bluedragonsport
"We've set the bar pretty high for this group," said Nehls, who is 91-34 with the Blue Dragons. "They have some high expectations for themselves and they understand where we are as a program right now.
"The preseason rankings and all that doesn't mean a lot. You have to step on the field and play the game the right way.
"It's a competitive group that enjoys working hard and enjoys being together. I comes down to going out and playing quality baseball every timeout."
Looking back to last season's 40-21 campaign, the Blue Dragons hit .320 overall and averaged 8.36 runs per game. The 2025 Blue Dragons had 63 homers, 11th most in team history and had a .532 team slugging percentage. On the mound, the Blue Dragons posted a 6.08 team ERA. Opposing teams hit .277 last season against the Blue Dragons. Hutchinson posted a program record .972 team fielding percentage.
The Blue Dragons return four starters and five overall position players for the 2026 season. On the mound, right-hander Seth Ainsworth is the lone returning full-time starter. There are five returning sophomore pitchers including all-KJCCC closer Collin Flores.
The Dragons return both catchers from last season in sophomores Anthony Mazza and Eli Duncan.
Mazza hit .424 (87 hits) with 27 doubles, seven home runs and 57 RBIs in his all-conference freshman season in 2024. His 27 doubles tied a Blue Dragon single-season record.
"Mazza had a great freshman season," Nehls said. "We are glad he decided to come back and play for us. "Maz is going to be a key piece this year offensively. Maz will anchor our team behind the plate as well."
Duncan hit .271 last season with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. Combined Mazza and Duncan combined to throw out 20 baserunners in 2024.
Returning to the infield Nick Glantz and Tyson Vassart.
Glantz hit .297 last season with 36 RBIs as a multi-position infielder. Vassart played on Hutchinson's 2024 Jayhawk West and Region 6 runner-up team. Vassart, primarily a third baseman in 2024, hit .296 with 21 hits and 11 RBIs.
Leo Griffin is the only outfielder returning from last season. Griffin hit .336 with 48 hits and 36 RBIs in his freshman campaign. Nehls said to keep an eye on freshman Cru Huenfeld and transfer Jordan Kuhnau. Both will hit in the middle of the Dragon order. Kuhnau is a transfer from South Dakota State, who has already committed to Michigan State for 2027.
"From an offensive standpoint, I think we have a chance to be really dynamic," Nehls said. "We have several ways to score.
Ainsworth is the only true returning starting pitcher 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.
Flores was a first-team all-KJCCC selection in 2025. Flores was 3-0 with seven 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).
"Seth, Karter and Noah McCombs are guys who were here last year and understand was it takes and we are going to rely on those guys a lot.."
Others pitchers who figure into either the weekend rotation or heavily used arms out of the bullpen are Indiana State transfer Wes Lyerly (RHP), Freshman Merek Yeager (RHP) and freshman Cameron Curtis (LHP).
"Those guys are going to pitch a lot of innings for us." Nehls said.
The Blue Dragons were picked to finish second in the 2026 Jayhawk West championship race and were No. 24 in the preseason NJCAA Division I Baseball rankings.
The 2026 Blue Dragon coaching staff has two new members this season in pitching coach Chandler Bloomer and assistant coach Cayden Castellanos. Veteran assistant coach Deron McCue is the lone returning assistant from last year's staff.