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Clarkson University Athletics

2026 Clarkson University Baseball Preview

MasonJames2025UNI
Will Leiphart

Men's Baseball | 2/10/2026 11:00:00 AM

Two walk-off wins in the Liberty League Crossover series and a trip back to the Liberty League Tournament were the highlight of the 2025 Clarkson University Baseball season, but the Golden Knights are looking for more when the 2026 campaign starts in just a few short weeks.

Guided by 26th-year head coach Jim Kane and assistants Steve Colangelo, Will Roda, and Bryan Harmer, the Green and Gold return much of last year's starting lineup with only second baseman Cam Jerrett having graduated, though the starting rotation will be a bit different from 2025 as two weekend regulars have graduated from the program.

The team should have plenty of thump up and down the lineup as the team hit 18 home runs in 2025, a total surpassed only once (2022) by the Knights since the 2011 season. Starting catcher Joe Figliolino appeared in all 33 games a year ago, roughing up pitchers to the tune of a .323/.444/.556 slash line with 17 extra-base hits, including a team-best five home runs while also scoring a team-high 39 runs. The starting left side of the infield is back in the way of shortstop Beau Vardion and third baseman CJ Cartier. Vardion emerged as a tough out in the latter half of the season, leading the team with a .382 average and .657 slugging percentage as well as 18 extra-base hits and 32 RBI while also bopping four home home runs. Cartier has been a steady contributor at third for three years and delivered the team's walk-off hit in the deciding game of the Liberty League Crossover series. On the right side, the starting first baseman and second baseman are up in the air. A number of freshmen saw time at first last year and all had their moments. Sophomores Jackson Waters, CJ Kanick, and James Chagnon showed flashes of offense and should emerge this season. Second base is a more significant wild card without the regularity of Jerrett playing the spot. Junior Kyle Ventola and sophomores Aidan McGuire and Christian Barley may split time until a regular emerges or Coach Kane may mix them up for matchup purposes. Other infielders looking for time this year are Nolan Merrow, who will likely be features on the left side as needed, as well as Keith Hall, Devin Kobasa, and Jake Oster.

Three starting outfielders return for the Knights, but there is plenty of talent behind them waiting for an opportunity as well. Aidan Kuefner was one of several starters to earn Liberty League All-Star honors a year ago and he should continue patrolling center field with his plus speed which saw him lead the team with 15 stolen bases in 2025. Anchored on each side are James Mason and Seth Albert. Mason missed a portion of the 2025 season due to injury, but he still hit .319 in 72 at bats. Albert was a fixture in the lineup as well, providing speed on the base paths with nine swipes. Sophomore Zach Rider and freshmen Jeremy Albert and John Swartz could spell those starters when necessary. Additionally, David Harris, who earned time as a designated hitter and batted .305 in 59 at bats as a freshman, Ben Priest, Aiden Serrano, and James Keck will also be in the mix.

While Figliolino rarely took a break behind the plate a year ago, that should change during his senior campaign as the staff could utilize him as a designated hitter to keep him fresh throughout the campaign. The Knights have plenty of depth at the position this year, including sophomore Zach Worthington and a pair of freshmen in James Walsh and Jake Hernigle.

Clarkson's rotation will have a different look this year without Cole Riskin and Nicholas Hofacker, two pitchers that combined for more than 90 innings a year ago, which was almost one-third of all innings tossed by Knights' hurlers. Jacob Shirley started six games a year ago and posted a 5.45 earned run average over 38 innings. No other returning pitcher began a game for Clarkson more than twice (Dan Horowitz and CJ Kanick each started two games), so the rotation will be up in the air. Despite that inexperience in the rotation, Clarkson boasts plenty of talented arms. Kanick will likely move to the bullpen to continue his role as a two-way player and standout reliever Nathan Hartley could have an expanded role as well, as he threw 31.2 innings of work out of the pen, striking out 37 along the way with two relief wins and three saves.

Clarkson has a few other pitchers who have seen plenty of time over the years as well. Seniors Jason McGee and Tommy DiFranco each appeared in 11 games out of the bullpen last season, tossing a combined 43.1 innings, with McGee leading the team with four relief victories. Dan Horowitz was also 2-0 after pitching in nine contests. Ryan Petrie and Chase Fisher also combined for 14 appearances and close to 20 innings of work.

Two freshmen could have an immediate impact for the Knights either in the rotation or out of the bullpen as they work through their preseason sessions. Both righty Jason Brucato and lefty Cameron Barbulean have the talent to see regular innings throughout the campaign. Additionally, Hunter Kierpiec, Jackson Learner, Nolan Zenkewicz, Brayden Kenny, Tate Parker, and Patrick Foulis will add depth to the Knights' pitching corps.


 
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Players Mentioned

Nicholas Hofacker

#35 Nicholas Hofacker

P
5' 11"
Graduate Student
R/R
Cam Jerrett

#4 Cam Jerrett

IF
5' 10"
Senior
R/R
Cole Riskin

#42 Cole Riskin

IF/RHP
5' 9"
Senior
R/R
Seth Albert

#3 Seth Albert

OF
5' 7"
Junior
R/R
Christian Barley

#8 Christian Barley

IF
5' 10"
Sophomore
L/R
CJ Cartier

#21 CJ Cartier

IF
5' 10"
Senior
R/R
James Chagnon

#24 James Chagnon

C/UT
6' 0"
Sophomore
Tommy DiFranco

#5 Tommy DiFranco

RHP/IF
6' 0"
Senior
R/R
Joe Figliolino

#23 Joe Figliolino

C
6' 0"
Senior
R/R
Chase Fisher

#14 Chase Fisher

LHP
5' 11"
Sophomore
L/L

Players Mentioned

Nicholas Hofacker

#35 Nicholas Hofacker

5' 11"
Graduate Student
R/R
P
Cam Jerrett

#4 Cam Jerrett

5' 10"
Senior
R/R
IF
Cole Riskin

#42 Cole Riskin

5' 9"
Senior
R/R
IF/RHP
Seth Albert

#3 Seth Albert

5' 7"
Junior
R/R
OF
Christian Barley

#8 Christian Barley

5' 10"
Sophomore
L/R
IF
CJ Cartier

#21 CJ Cartier

5' 10"
Senior
R/R
IF
James Chagnon

#24 James Chagnon

6' 0"
Sophomore
C/UT
Tommy DiFranco

#5 Tommy DiFranco

6' 0"
Senior
R/R
RHP/IF
Joe Figliolino

#23 Joe Figliolino

6' 0"
Senior
R/R
C
Chase Fisher

#14 Chase Fisher

5' 11"
Sophomore
L/L
LHP