Baseball | 1/29/2026 2:30:00 PM
LOCK HAVEN, PA - Gannon baseball has been picked fifth in the preseason edition of the PSAC West Preseason Poll, it was announced by the conference on Thursday.
This season, several starters from a year ago will return to a GU lineup that has plenty to be invigorated about. Gannon should have plenty of firepower at the top of the lineup, with names such as
Wes Parker (Venetia, Pa./Peters Township),
Ian Soto (Florida, Puerto Rico/Academia Cristiana de Manati),
Connor Smith (Sewickley, Pa./North Allegheny), and
Dom Costello (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted) all back for the Golden Knights. On the mound, health may be the only thing that could stop the Golden Knights from emerging as one of the top pitching staffs in the conference.
Top starter
Ryan Hood (Latrobe, Pa./Derry Area) is back for his junior season, while local product
Jacob Engel (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) looks to factor in as well. From the bullpen,
Logan Ayres (New Castle, Pa./Laurel) was Gannon's shutdown reliever from 2025, who embarks on his junior campaign this year.
Gannon University baseball head coach
DJ Cannon enters his fifth season at the helm in 2026. In his first three campaigns Cannon has compiled a 79-102 record.
After an injury-filled and discouraging 2024 campaign the 2025 Gannon edition doubled its win total, finishing at 22-25 and just missing out on the PSAC Tournament while finishing at the .500 mark in conference play with a 14-14 ledger. The record would have been ever better if not for eight losses by a run.
