The Windham Bombers’ baseball team had the luxury of blending experience with youth last year and now will rely on a sophomore-heavy core to fuel the team to success for the 2026 season.
“I am excited about this year and am excited to see our younger group grow. At the same time we still have some seniors who can help us,” said Coach Jake Eye. “It is unfortunate that we don’t have any juniors but again that gives our younger class a chance to get more experience and grow together more and become a solid unit.”
After incorporating nine freshmen into the program last season, the Bombers’ most experienced players will be this year’s sophomore class of seven players, with at least five of them having received meaningful varsity action as freshmen.
“They are mature beyond their years,” Eye added. “They are all baseball players. They have played the game and know the game; they have a knack for the game. It is not like one or two of them have never played and suddenly just jumped on board. This group of sophomores has played the game of baseball since their pee-wee days.”
Eye noted that the Bombers’ greatest strength will be their pitching depth, with their rotation being led by sophomore right-handers Bryan Smithberger and Keegan Kiser, each one year removed from already having key roles in the rotation.
“They can throw any pitch at any time in the count and have great command with their off-speed stuff. I am excited about those two on the mound this year,” said Eye. “I think they are going to do very well. I think they are going to go deep into games.”
In addition to Smithberger and Kiser being handed lead roles in the rotation, sophomore catcher/right-hander Michael Bolyard is expected to be a steady third option when he is not handling catching responsibilities.
Eye also listed freshman Kaiden Fincham, sophomores Eliot Kepich, Devin Sherman and Malikye Petrich as also having vital roles in Windham’s pitching rotation.
The Bombers’ outfield will be paced by sophomore Cam Batterby, who will man center field.
“He is very quick, and he has come a long way. He is very athletic. He has a great eye for getting the jump on balls,” said Eye. “He runs down balls that you would normally think could not be caught.”
Petrich is expected to hold down right field while senior Louden Collins will patrol left field.
The Bombers’ middle infield will be comprised of senior Gavin Kiser, who is moving from center field to second base. Smithberger and Kiser will handle the shortstop position on days when they are not pitching.
As one of only three seniors on the roster, Eye highlighted Gavin’s importance.
“He has played a lot of infield in the past but primarily he was an outfielder. We will utilize him a lot in the infield this year,” he said. “He is a scrappy kid, and he is a baseball player. He has played baseball his entire life. He is undersized but he has a lot of heart.”
Sophomore Jordan Ridenbaugh will play third base, just months removed from suffering a torn ACL during the football season.
In addition to manning the hot corner, Eye said that Ridenbaugh will also see some time on the mound.
“He is going to transition to third base where we are going to break him in slowly,” noted Eye. “I know that he is not 100% but he is a ballplayer and a gamer, and he will see some time on the mound, and we are excited that we are able to have him back this year.”
Eye acknowledged that the Bombers’ offense will emphasis playing small ball, as there is not a lot of extra-base power in the line-up. They will apply pressure on opposing defenses to make plays by taking a high-contact approach.
As far as Eye is concerned, it will not just be Windham’s speed that challenges defenses but also baserunning instincts.
“We have some guys that have a knack for baserunning,” he added. “it is about knowledge, and it is about your savvy on the bases, being a smart baserunner.”
Windham will contend in a competitive Northeastern Athletic Conference Stripes Division that is expected to have Bristol and Saint John as the frontrunners.
After opening the season with a slate of NAC contests beginning with a home duel against Saint John on Monday, a road contest against Grand Valley on Tuesday, a home game against Badger on Wednesday and a road duel Maplewood on Thursday, the Bombers will continue league play by hosting NAC Stripes foe Lordstown April 7 at 5 p.m.
