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2026 baseball Preview 2

Baseball Chris Kuchta

The Next Step: PSC Baseball Looks to Take the Region by Storm

Pioneers Primed and Ready Following Breakout 2025 Campaign

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. --- Throughout all of last season, Prairie State head baseball coach Dre Gilmore and his players were constantly bombarded with comments regarding 2025 being PSC's best showing in 11 years.
 
With that last campaign now squarely in the rear view mirror, the Pioneers are ready to forge ahead.
 
In the wake of a season which saw it close out the regular schedule at 25-25 and earn its first postseason appearance since 2014, the bar has been raised and Gilmore feels his 2026 club is more than capable of clearing it.
 
"Coming into 2026, our expectations as a team have not changed," Gilmore said.  "Our ultimate goal is to make the playoffs, because if you make the tournament, anything can happen."
 
As much of an accomplishment as a 25-win campaign was, Gilmore knows that the 2025 Pioneers could have reached the 30-win plateau and doesn't want to miss that opportunity again.
 
"One of our biggest challenges this year will be figuring out how to finish games," Gilmore said. "Last year we had plenty of opportunities to win 30 or more games but just couldn't hold on in the end.  Having a good amount of sophomores this year will help us make that transition from a 25-win team to one of 30 or more."
 
In all, the Pioneers return nine players from last year's team with an additional pair of second-year players coming in transfers Moises Vazquez (Andrean H.S.) and Bennie Goslawski (Lockport H.S.).
 
Vazquez, a transfer from South Suburban, who will primarily patrol right field in 2026, brings elite bat speed to PSC's lineup and Gilmore couldn't be happier.
 
"Moe will be one of our biggest additions," Gilmore said. "He has some of the fastest hands I've seen in the box and it doesn't matter if it (the velocity) is 92 or 82, he will barrel up any fastball."
 
Goslawski will toe the rubber as a top of the rotation arm.
 
"We're going to look for Bennie to carry us through some tough games against tough opponents," Gilmore said.  "He's going to be big for us."
 
Rocket-armed shortstop Nuno Borges (Colegio C.K., BRAZIL) will look to lead a strong group of sophomores and improve upon a stellar freshman campaign which saw him hit .289 with a pair of home runs, 33 RBIs, 44 runs and 13 stolen bases.
 
Sophomore second baseman Jesser Contreras (The Vine Christian Academy) will be PSC's leading returning hitter in 2026 after posting a .310 average with an on-base percentage of .423.
 
Second-year catcher Juan Pinuelas (Goliath Academy, MEXICO) brings back his considerable skill set behind the plate and looks to build upon a first year of collegiate baseball where he belted a pair of home runs and drove in 34 RBI. 
 
Infielder Alexis Serrano (Bloom H.S.) and first baseman/designated hitter Kyle Crabtree (Lincoln-Way East H.S.) will be looked to for contributions on both sides of the ball.
 
The Pioneers also return a stable of proven arms from a pitching staff that delivered a pair of no-hitters in 2025.
 
Sophomore Jose Chacin (J.C. Bermudez Doral H.S.) is back after firing off the Pioneers' first no-no since 2010.
 
Left-hander Michael Kelly (Oak Forest H.S.) returns.  The portsider struck out 24 hitters a year ago.
 
Sophs Rodrigo Arceo (T.F. South H.S.) and Lukas Picht (Andrew H.S.) will provide depth and log valuable innings as well.
 
While Gilmore knows the strength of his returners, what he feels will put the Pioneers over the top is the crop of freshmen that will don the purple and green for the first time this spring.
 
Freshman Ian Bando (Colegio Country Kids, BRAZIL) will patrol centerfield in place of fellow countryman and standout Nathan Odaira, who graduated last spring.
 
"Ian is replacing a center fielder who was on the ballot for the Gold Glove Award last year," Gilmore said. "He has big shoes to fill, but with his speed and IQ, we have no worries with him trying to track down balls in the gap."
 
With leading hitter Luis Romero and his .368 average gone, Gilmore feels that his replacement at third base, freshman Lucas Oshikawa (Colegio Country Kids, BRAZIL) will more than ably man the hot corner.

"Lucas will make an instant impact for us at third," Gilmore said. "He has the power and defensive presence to contribute right away."
 
Flame-thrower Elohim Ramirez (Foy H. Moody H.S.) will replace PSC all-time saves leader Pedro Pinto at the back end of the bullpen.
 
"Elohim is one of those hard-throwers from Texas, he's recently topped out at almost 90 miles per hour, so he'll be huge for us," Gilmore said. 
 
Reavis High School product Isaac Velasco will man a corner outfield spot and the leadoff position. 
 
Alberto Araujo (Schoolhouse Prep) will provide slug throughout the lineup and handle multiple positions while local product Bernabe Astorga (Eisenhower H.S.) will pitch in high-leverage spots out of the pen.
 
The Pioneers, will open the home portion of their schedule on Friday against Sauk Valley at the Pioneer Sports Complex (12 p.m.).
 
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Players Mentioned

Nathan Odaira

#10 Nathan Odaira

OF
5' 9"
Sophomore
Luis Romero

#33 Luis Romero

INF
Freshman
Pedro Pinto

#0 Pedro Pinto

P
Freshman
Rodrigo Arceo

#1 Rodrigo Arceo

RHP
6' 3"
Sophomore
Nuno Borges

#18 Nuno Borges

INF
5' 9"
Sophomore
Jose Chacin

#9 Jose Chacin

RHP
5' 10"
Sophomore
Jesser Contreras

#2 Jesser Contreras

C/INF
5' 9"
Sophomore
Kyle Crabtree

#35 Kyle Crabtree

1B
6' 4"
Sophomore
Michael Kelly

#7 Michael Kelly

LHP
6' 2"
Sophomore
Juan Pinuelas

#23 Juan Pinuelas

C/OF
6' 3"
Sophomore
Lukas Picht

#38 Lukas Picht

RHP
5' 9"
Sophomore
Alexis Serrano

#8 Alexis Serrano

INF
5' 7"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Nathan Odaira

#10 Nathan Odaira

5' 9"
Sophomore
OF
Luis Romero

#33 Luis Romero

Freshman
INF
Pedro Pinto

#0 Pedro Pinto

Freshman
P
Rodrigo Arceo

#1 Rodrigo Arceo

6' 3"
Sophomore
RHP
Nuno Borges

#18 Nuno Borges

5' 9"
Sophomore
INF
Jose Chacin

#9 Jose Chacin

5' 10"
Sophomore
RHP
Jesser Contreras

#2 Jesser Contreras

5' 9"
Sophomore
C/INF
Kyle Crabtree

#35 Kyle Crabtree

6' 4"
Sophomore
1B
Michael Kelly

#7 Michael Kelly

6' 2"
Sophomore
LHP
Juan Pinuelas

#23 Juan Pinuelas

6' 3"
Sophomore
C/OF
Lukas Picht

#38 Lukas Picht

5' 9"
Sophomore
RHP
Alexis Serrano

#8 Alexis Serrano

5' 7"
Sophomore
INF

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