The College of Southern Maryland baseball team opened its 2026 campaign with a tough doubleheader split against Garrett College on March 1 at CSM Baseball Field in La Plata, falling 6-1 in Game 1 before battling to a narrow 8-7 loss in Game 2, as the Hawks seek to climb above .500 for the first time since 2022 with a blend of seasoned sophomores and a deep freshman class.
Garrett, coming off a strong 36-19 record in 2025, improved to 2-1 overall and 2-0 in MD JUCO play, while Southern Maryland dropped to 0-2 and 0-2 in conference action. The Lakers hold a 16-9 series edge since 2013, extending their current winning streak to two games after sweeping the twinbill. Their most recent prior meeting came April 13, 2025, with Garrett winning 6-4 in McHenry.
In Game 1, Garrett capitalized on unearned runs for a 6-1 victory. Bryce Madden earned the win (1-0) with six innings of four-hit ball (one unearned run, four strikeouts), while Gabriel Rodriguez took the loss (0-1) for the Hawks. Garrett broke open a scoreless tie with three unearned runs in the third on Noah Broadwater’s two-out, bases-loaded double that scored Grayden Gillott, Josef Sneathen, and Aiden Screen. Southern Maryland answered with an unearned run in the second when Ivan Gomez scored on a Garrett error, with Eunki Lee providing the RBI. Garrett sealed it with three earned runs in the seventh on walks and singles from Parker Ferraro and Meyer Cabrera. Southern Maryland managed five hits, including doubles from Gomez and Justin Payan, but stranded runners in key spots.
Game 2 delivered higher drama as Southern Maryland built a 4-1 lead after three innings, only for Garrett to erupt for six runs in the fifth and one in the sixth to take an 8-4 edge. The Hawks rallied with three in the seventh but came up short. Kai Canson claimed the win (1-0) in relief, and Keaton Walsh notched the save (1). Gustavo Okada suffered the loss (0-1) after entering in a high-leverage spot. Landon Norton’s three-RBI double highlighted the Hawks’ early offense, while Tyrese Milliard delivered a two-RBI single and stole three bases in the late push. Garrett leaned on timely hits from Broadwater (4-for-4, three RBI) and doubles from Gillott and Bryden Green to fuel the comeback.
The preview from the program emphasizes optimism for 2026, built around returners like first baseman Mason McReynolds (All-Region 20 and All-MD JUCO second team in 2025, .422 average, 1.165 OPS, four home runs), right-hander Gabriel Rodriguez (5-5, 33 strikeouts), and versatile sophomore Devon Brunnemer (.378 average, solid relief work). Other key sophomores include infielder Anthony Segarra, redshirt freshman Nathan Barr, and catcher Justin Payan.
A talented freshman group adds depth and international flair. Standouts include lefty/righty hybrids like Gustavo Okada (Brazil), Adam Arnis (Florida, .303 average and 4-5 pitching record in high school), and Victor Bosquez (Panama, 6-3 with 2.21 ERA). Local talents feature Kayden Fryling (Salisbury, strong speed with 11 steals), Will Wohlenhaus (Huntingtown), Carson Rhodes (Keedysville), Braden Langley (Great Mills), Eli Bean (California), and Lenell Evans (Virginia, .276 with power and 24 steals). International recruits bring promise: Luis De Los Santos (Dominican Republic), Ivan Gomez (Venezuela), Tyrese Milliard (Aruba), Eunki Lee (South Korea), Francisco Solorzano (Venezuela), Jeremahia Ortiz (Puerto Rico), and others.
The Hawks’ 2025 season ended at 19-29 overall (15-27 MD JUCO), but the influx of talent positions them to compete in Region 20 and push for postseason play. Early games tested pitching depth against a potent Garrett squad, with sophomores like Rodriguez and McReynolds providing stability amid freshman contributions from Norton, Milliard, and others in the opener.
Southern Maryland’s home field in La Plata offers a strong venue for the program, drawing local support from Charles County and surrounding areas amid growing JUCO baseball interest in Maryland.