The 2026 college season will be here before you know it as the majority of our NCAA D2 squads will begin their seasons the last weekend of January.

In the past, we have looked ahead to the season with season previews, but this year we are changing it up a bit with a fall report that will also provide a look to the season ahead.

SSBR recently sent out questionnaires to each head coach of the small college (NCAA D2, NAIA, NCCAA) and JUCO schools in the state. We asked them to provide who their top returners, top newcomers, and top performers were in the fall. We’ve compiled that information into the fall report with an outlook for the upcoming 2026 season.

Today’s team: OK Panhandle State Aggies

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Level: NAIA

Conference: Sooner Athletic Conference

2025 Overall Record: 14-33

2025 GAC Record: 5-22 (10th)

Head Coach: Jared Mayeda

Head Coaching Experience: 2nd year (all at OPSU)

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Top Returning Players

• Alejandro Hernandez (Sr), INF: Returning starter; Consistent bat at the top of the lineup
• Devin Lopez (Sr), 1B: Returning starter; Power bat in the middle of the lineup
• Jace Kushner (So), RHP: 1 of 2 returning pitchers; Looks to make next step

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Top Newcomers

• Jason Davis, P (Weatherford College)
• Jean Duran, P (McCook JC)
• Kage Ralstin, P (Butler CC)
• Miguel Montano, P (Costa Rica)
• Juan Perez, INF (William Penn)
• Genesis Nunez, INF (William Penn)
• Nuegen Culmer, OF (Bahamas)
• Matao Laguna, P (Redlands CC)

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Top Performers in Fall

*Coach Mayeda did not specify any particular players as top performers this Fall, but he did say that OPSU is “tremendously excited about our entire group of newcomers.” He goes on to say that the names above were a “few standouts in the Fall.”

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Outlook

Head Coach, Jared Mayeda enters his second season at the helm in 2026. In his first season, the Aggies struggled and finished last in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

The Aggies are optimistic that they will improve in 2026. They added 25 newcomers and return a “great core of players as well.” Mayeda also adds that the Aggies have made “huge strides this fall in all facets of (their) program – weight room, classroom, and on the field.” They are “excited and proud of the work the players have put in.”

OPSU struggled on the mound and in the field in 2025. Mayeda said they were points of emphasis this fall and the Aggies were able to bring in a “number of experienced student athletes to be able to anchor that improvement.”

There is excitement in Goodwell for 2026 that didn’t seem to be as much in previous years. Much like other programs we’ve covered, OPSU will have plenty of new faces this season. If they can gel together and perform up to the level they were brought in for, the Aggies could see themselves move up the SAC standings in 2026.

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