The WSU baseball team will look different to fans in 2025. That’s because 24 of their 34 rostered athletes are new, mostly acquired as transfers.
Junior Troy Shepard, who transferred from Spokane Falls Community College, does not think it will be an issue.
“A lot of the guys that came in with me are sharing the same story,” said Shepherd. “They had to work to get to where they are…I feel like everybody knows the struggle and the work it takes to get where they’re at…we’re gonna have each other’s back this year.”
As the Baseball team prepared for the season and began to shape their roster for 2025, recruitment coordinator Joseph Perez was hard at work identifying players he thought were a good fit.
“Our process in recruiting is, we’re a lot more concerned about finding the right fit, necessarily, than finding the best players,” said Perez. “We are trying to find players that are talented…but that they have values that align with our values.”
Among those transfers is Ryan Skjonsby, who came from Cypress Community College in southern California. The Coug’s new first baseman expressed his excitement to be a Coug.
“Once Wazzu offered me, I knew this was the place I wanted to be,” said Skjonsby.
A few notable returners include Max Hartman, Will Cresswell, Jack Weise, Logan Johnstone, Ely Kennel and Kaden Wickersham.
Hartman, a junior outfielder from Alberta, Canada, started 48 of the Cougars’ 49 games last year. He hit .286, including 11 doubles and three home runs. He excelled in the clutch, knocking in 41 runs, and also made his speed known on the basepaths, as he stole ten bases. Hartman played mostly left field last year, but can also play center.
Cresswell, the team’s starting catcher, returns for his senior year on the Palouse. Last year, the backstop was named to the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Watch List, after hitting five home runs as a Sophomore.
Wickersham, a senior reliever, appeared in 22 games last year, putting together a 5.06 ERA and striking out 23 batters. He will likely be an anchor of the bullpen this year.
However, there are plenty of opportunities for younger players to earn starting spots throughout the season. One player excited about his opportunity is sophomore transfer Ricco Longo, who came from Spokane Falls Community College. Longo, a utility infielder, is willing to play anywhere if it helps his team.
“Whatever the team needs me to play,” said Longo. “It’s a great program, I’m just happy to be here for sure.”
With a long season ahead and so few returners, lineups will fluctuate until the Cougars find the right mix of offensive players. Hitting coach Eric Hutting said the team’s goal is to have nine well-rounded offensive players in the lineup, rather than prioritizing finding players with unique skill sets.
“Nine guys that have, you know, a variety of ways they can get to first base,” said Hutting. “Ultimately what we’re trying to do is one through nine, we’re trying to stay true to our identity.”
The team begins with a four-game series at No. 5 Arkansas, before competing next weekend in the Kleberg Bank Collegiate Classic.
They finish non-conference play with series’ at Iowa, at Oregon State and versus Seattle University, before they begin conference play against the Mountain West.
Playing the Mountain West presents a unique new challenge for the Cougars, who are in the first year of the Pac-12’s two-year hiatus due to realignment. Among their opponents include four future Pac-12 opponents, in OSU, Gonzaga, San Diego State University (SDSU) and Fresno State University. Another opponent, The University of Nevada-Los Vegas (UNLV) is also rumored to be considering a move to the Pac-12.
Skjonsby, who lived in Southern California his whole life before moving to the Palouse, is particularly excited to play at Fresno State and SDSU. He said he will get to play in front of family and friends when the team goes south.
“They know how hard I’ve worked to get here,” said Skjonsby. “For them to come out and support…definitely makes it a lot easier to play.”
While players expressed their hope to win the Mountain West, assistant coach Tommy Richards had another goal for the team in 2025.
“Be the most excited to play, be the best at doing your job,” said Richards. “It’s a testament to Mike Leach.”
