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: Rogers State Hillcats

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Level: NCAA Division 2

Conference: Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association

2025 Overall Record: 30-20

2025 MIAA Record: 19-17 (T5)

Head Coach: Chris Klimas

Head Coaching Experience: 12th year (all at RSU)

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Top Returning Players

• Andrew Ramirez (Sr), 2B: All MIAA and All Central Region teams in 2025; All MIAA and All Central Region Gold Glove winner in 2025; .335, 13 HR, 60 RBI, 12 2B in 2025

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Top Newcomers

• Zach Horwith, RHP (Bellarmine University): Started 11 games at Bellarmine in 2025; Potential to be a top pitcher in MIAA; FB touches 96; Quality command of 3 pitches

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Top Performers in Fall

• Damon Anderson Wolf, RHP (Saddleback College transfer): Inning eater; Quality command; Fall stats: 14 IP, 9 H, 3 BB, 10K, 0.00 ERA
• Dillon Dibrell, LHP (UCO transfer): Getting healthy; Ability to be impact rotation piece; Jump in velo; Fall stats: 14 IP, 9 H, 4 BB, 16 K, 0.64 ERA
• Richy Landeros, RHP (San Diego Mesa transfer): Late inning reliever; More consistent in the Fall and saw uptick in velo; Fall stats: 13.2 IP, 11 H, 2 BB, 10 K, 1.32 ERA
• Mason Trotter, LHP (Eastern OK State transfer): Ton of collegiate relief appearances post high school; Should get heavy workload out of bullpen; Fall stats: 13 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 13 K, 1.46 ERA
• Zach Horwith: Fall stats: 13 IP, 8 H, 4 BB, 16 K, 2.08 ERA
• Tyler Nelson, SS: Returning SS; Plus defender; Build on late 2025 season success; Fall stats: .440, 2B, 2 3B, 10 R, 5 SB
• Sammy Harris, INF (UALR transfer): Multiple position player with versatile LHH profile; Played in 50 games at UALR in 2025 including 4 starts at Baton Rouge Regional; Fall stats: .394, 6 RBI, 2B, 6 R, 5 SB
• Zak Nelson, UTL (USU Eastern transfer): Corner OF/1B; “Probably our most consistent and pleasant surprises of the Fall; Stats: .345, 2B, 3 R, 3 SB
• Jake Mitchell, UTL: Played multiple positions in 3 years at RSU; Batted .298 in the Fall
• Andrew Ramirez: Fall: .296, 5 RBI, 2 2B, 3B
• Trevor Spainhoward (Cal Baptist transfer) and Blake Conrad (St Mary’s (CA) transfer): Both catchers who are. plus defenders that have done a great job with the pitching staff and shut down the running game in the Fall

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Outlook

The Hillcats will be looking to build on the solid 2025 season they had winning 29 games and finishing in a tie for 5th place in the tough MIAA.

A key for RSU in 2026 will be continuing to build overall depth in the lineup and pitching staff.

Head coach, Chris Klimas is heading into his 12th season in Claremore and he says they “felt like they left a few wins out there last year.” He also goes on to say that the Hillcats will need to “find a way to not have those ‘let-down’ days in 2026.”

The Hillcats will look to improve in the MIAA standings in 2026. Based on the performances of the Fall, don’t be surprised to see the Hillcats up at the top of the MIAA in 2026.

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