WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Adversity was a key theme in the inaugural season for Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Baseball, but they enter the 2026 season ready to build on the foundation laid last spring.
The Grizzlies finished 16-37 in 2025 and return several key contributors from last season’s roster.
“We had a lot of guys return from a tough year. We have experienced sophomores and added good talent.” Tharp said. “I think that says a lot about what the guys think we can build here at MSU-WP.”
To prepare for the upcoming season, the Grizzlies took on a tougher fall schedule than they did last year, competing against several talented junior college and NCAA Division II programs in September and October. Tharp said the staff is encouraged by the team’s depth and experience heading into the season.
At the Plate
The core of Paden Cole, Ashdon Martinez, Tripp Johns and Alex Biermaier return the most experience in the lineup, while the Grizzlies hope to benefit from the return of Levi Marshall, Garrett Hartman and Hayden Burns after injury-riddled seasons in 2025.
Biermaier, Johns and Martinez each recorded at least 140 at-bats last season. Johns finished second on the team with 39 RBIs, adding four home runs while posting a .255 batting average and .400 on-base percentage. Biermaier hit .301 with a .401 on-base percentage, while also stealing eight bases. Martinez tallied 26 RBIs with six stolen bases and is the leading returnee in slugging percentage at .407.
Marshall got off to a strong start last season before he was sidelined with an injury. He helped lead Grizzly Baseball to the first victory in program history when they defeated Rend Lake College, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and three stolen bases. In just ten games, he notched seven steals.
Cole, a Southwest Baptist University commit, saw limited action last year but impressed in the fall season and is expected to lead the Grizzlies’ pitching staff as one of the primary options behind the plate at catcher.
Tharp said several newcomers could contribute earl in the season, including Jack Pounders, Andres De Cardens, Gatlin Keeling, Max Snyder and Max Miotto.
On the Mound
The Grizzlies return six of their top eight pitchers in innings pitched from last season, combined with a group of newcomers who showed promise in the fall season, giving Grizzly Baseball’s coaching staff hope about their pitching depth.
“Knock on wood, but we have more pitching depth this season that we were missing last spring,” Tharp said. “We had several pitchers have good fall seasons that could really help us take a jump in the right direction.”
Leading the returners is Brayden Hindes, who logged 50 innings last season and finished with a 5.76 ERA and 47 strikeouts. Andrew Elkins also returns after leading the team with 51 strikeouts in 2025.
Other returnees with experience include Connor Head, Bryce Davis, Aiden Kelly and Ashdon Martinez. Newcomers expected to contribute include Brylon Mayberry, Izzy Johnson, Preston Stout and Shaun Buck.
Tough Schedule Lies Ahead
From start to finish, the Grizzlies are expected to face tough competition on this year’s schedule. They will start the season on February 6 in Senatobia, Mississippi against a talented Northwest Mississippi Community team. Other non-region opponents include Arkansas State University-Mountain Home, North Iowa Area Community College, Lyon College JV and Mission University JV.
Region 16 play begins in late February, and Tharp said the Grizzlies will face a challenging slate throughout region play.
“There are good coaches and programs throughout Region 16 that are seeing facility upgrades. Combine that with a good recruiting area in the Midwest and it’s just always going to be a good baseball region,” Tharp said.
Turning Dirt into Diamonds, the Grizzlies’ Future Home
In 2025, the West Plains Area Dugout Club announced plans to launch a new outdoor athletics complex in West Plains that will house facilities for Grizzly Baseball and Softball. Grizzly Baseball hope to host home games at the complex in 2026, as early as late February or early March.
“We cannot be thankful enough for the community support we have received,” Tharp said. “The work that Robbie Crites, Jim Peters, Tom Marhafka and Rachel Peterson have done so far will be huge for this program and the City of West Plains. The players and coaching staff have handled the past year of adversity well and I believe it will be great for the foundation of Grizzly Baseball.”
For more information on the MSU-WP Grizzly Baseball program, visit MSUWPGrizzlies.com
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