North Attleboro, Mass. — After a fifth-place finish in the Southwest Division in 2025, a new era of Adelphi baseball will be underway in 2026 with head coach Mike Gaffney taking the reins of the program. With the Southwest and Northeast Divisions dissolving after the departure of New Haven, Adelphi baseball was picked to finish seventh in the Northeast 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the league office on Wednesday.

The Panthers earned 38 points, ahead of Saint Anselm (24 points), Saint Michael's (14 points) and Assumption (13 points).

Although five starters departed after 2025, Adelphi still has plenty of firepower both in the lineup and on the mound. Key pieces Albert Ramos, Johnny Catuosco, James Eden, Giancarlo Rengifo, Matt Ryan, Bryan McCleary and Anthony Rigogliosi return a good chunk of offensive production. Catuosco was one of three Panthers last year to hit over .300 and was third on the team with 22 RBI. Ramos and Rengifo will control the right side of the infield and add some pop to the lineup. Eden patrolled center field in 36 games last season, hitting .276 and totaling 48 bases.

Adelphi returns a wealth of talent to the bump, with John Carver, Billy Kind, Jake Sekinski, Michael Tufo, Colin Richardson, Jacob Lee, Zach Rovner and C.J. Forman all coming back in 2026. Carver led the bunch with 41 strikeouts in 45.2 innings pitched, while Richardson (.118 batting average against) and Rovner (.174 batting average against) limited hits out of the bullpen.

Along with a solid number of returners, Gaffney is looking forward to the incoming freshman class, which brings eight new faces to Garden City: Angelo Nunes, Zach DeMilt, Joseph Tagliava, Alex Cheringal, Dylan Beirne, Vincent Goodrich, John Olivieri and Eric Ressegger.

The Panthers' season begins on Friday, Feb. 20 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. when they take on Felician in the Northeast Challenge. First pitch is scheduled for noon.