The College of Central Florida Patriots baseball team is set to open the 2026 season in Auburndale, Florida this Friday, January 23rd with games against South Florida State College and Hillsborough Community College. CF will play their home opener on Saturday, January 24th at 1:00 PM against perennial national JUCO powerhouse Chipola College.

The Patriots went 39-18 in 2025 and were one win away from another trip to the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. The heartbreaking 6-5 loss in the state finals only fuels the fire for the returning sophomores including Tanner Swank (.322), Victor Martinez Jr. (.327, 11 HR), Gio Mendoza (.250, 9 RBI), Brett House (3 HR, 16 RBI), Colson Altman (1-1, 13.2 IP), Jake Meadows (19.2 IP, 28 K, 2.29 ERA), Peyton Fall (3-2, 34.1 IP, 44 K), Jose Paniagua (4 Saves, 1.48 ERA), Kohl Kilcrease (34.2 IP, 44 K), and Jay Jung (6-2, 69.1 IP, 61 K, 3.25 ERA)

CF welcomed the following transfers for this season: Amaury DeJesus (Miami), Talan Beckford (Miami-Dade), Nick Adrian (Gardner-Webb), Juan Concepcion (Dodge City CC), Lance Hartley (Potomac State), Nico Janssens (Florida), Caden Carroll (Kennesaw State) and Kaiden Lopez (Seminole State) to help solidify an already stellar freshman class.

The freshman class includes Cal Johnson (Tampa Catholic HS), Balint Piros (A3 Academy), Cameron Uzzillia (Calvary Christian), Ignacio Salaverria (Doral Academy), Will Eaton (Calvary Christian), and Richard Bello (Flanagan HS).

Head Coach Marty Smith is in his 31st season and is only four wins away from reaching 1000 wins for his career. A milestone only achieved by a handful of other Florida JUCO coaches.

The Patriots play home games at Goodlett Field on the Ocala campus and games are free to the public. For all the details on the team and this seasons' schedule visit: cfpatriots.net/sports/bsb/2025-26/schedule