Cobleskill, NY - The SUNY Cobleskill baseball team is set to take the field for the 2026 season after being picked second in the North Atlantic Conference Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's coaches.

The Fighting Tigers are coming off their fifth straight NAC postseason appearance in 2025, finishing 9-24 overall with a strong 8-4 mark in conference play.

Now entering his fourth season at the helm, head coach Austin Straub - a former NAC Coach of the Year - returns a veteran-heavy roster along with a group of newcomers expected to make an immediate impact. Cobleskill has captured four divisional crowns over the past five seasons and once again looks poised to be in the mix.

"The atmosphere and environment our team has built this year revolves around accountability," said Straub. "Over the last six years, we've established a standard of putting ourselves in position to realistically compete for a conference championship. As a coaching staff, we pushed the players harder than ever, both mentally and physically during the fall, building a true sense of grit and toughness that will carry us through adverse moments during the season. Our biggest strength this year is that we are old. With 21 juniors and seniors, we have the maturity needed to enhance our level of play."

Leading the returning core are two All-NAC selections from last season. Junior catcher Korin Laurilla (East Greenbush, NY) earned First Team All-Conference honors after pacing the Tigers offensively with 25 RBIs while posting 32 hits, 15 runs scored, five doubles, and a triple in 94 at-bats. He finished with a .415 slugging percentage and a .429 on-base percentage. Senior shortstop Jeffrey Gutierrez (Bronx, NY) was named Second Team All-NAC after a standout debut season. He hit .338 with a .486 slugging percentage and a .372 on-base percentage, collecting 25 hits, 17 RBIs, four doubles, two triples, and a home run. His steady glove helped anchor a defense that set a program record for double plays turned in a season.

Cobleskill returns 27 players overall, including a strong group of everyday contributors. Seniors Cole Platt (Oneonta, NY) and Logan Firment (Andes, NY/South Kortright) bring middle-of-the-order pop back to the lineup. Platt led the team with five home runs, 24 RBIs, eight doubles, and a .947 OPS last season, while Firment added three long balls and enters the season within reach of the program's career home run record. Up the middle, Ryan Lansing (Cooperstown, NY) provides defensive stability, while Jesus Sarda (Colonie, NY) is expected to take a step forward offensively after a strong fall showing.

"This year we return eight players who started regularly in 2025, highlighted by returning all-conference players in shortstop Jeffrey Gutierrez and catcher Korin Laurilla," said Straub. "Our top home run and slugging percentage leader from last year, senior Cole Platt, returns along with senior Logan Firment, who has an opportunity to break our program's career home run record. Up the middle, we return Ryan Lansing, who routinely saves runs with his glove and athleticism. 2025 saw a breakout season from Cole Platt — look for the same from Jesus Sarda, a senior who showed throughout the fall that he can be a pitcher's worst nightmare."

On the mound, Cobleskill returns a seasoned staff capable of eating innings and providing flexibility in the rotation and bullpen. Seniors Connor Mulligan (Cheshire, CT), Evan Balbera (Patchogue, NY), and Tanner Wood (Glenville, NY/Niskayuna), along with Reis Brammer (Cohoes, NY/CBA Albany), give the Tigers valuable experience on the hill after combining for 35 appearances and 69 innings pitched in 2025.

The Tigers also add fresh arms to the staff with first-years Alex Slater (Coxsackie, NY), Aidan Creamer (Albany, NY), and Vito Spadafina (Sound Beach, NY), while transfers Tony Woodie (West Palm Beach, FL) and Jake Brazzano (Blairstown, NJ) are expected to provide added punch at the plate.

"We put together a great blend of transfers and first-years for the 2026 season," said Straub. "First-year players such as Alex Slater, Aidan Creamer, and Vito Spadafina will be tested early, and transfers Tony Woodie and Jake Brazzano should provide added offense and defense to help us achieve our team goals."