FAYETTE, Iowa - Upper Iowa baseball starts the 2026 season this weekend with three games against Northeastern State (Okla.) (0-1). Each game on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Rousey Field in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Head coach Brian Voigt enters his third season with the Peacocks in 2026. He has a 34-72 record entering this season with Upper Iowa. 

MEET THE PEACOCKS: INFIELD
The Peacocks return a substantial amount of upperclassmen leadership to the roster, including the top hitter from last season in senior Brock Zimmer. He slashed .355/.410/.543 in 2025 with 10 doubles, two triples and seven home runs after starting in all 49 games. The Hopkins, Minnesota native upped his career batting average to .302 and his slugging percentage to .445 during his junior campaign. 

"He's been a staple for three years," Voigt said. "His average just keeps growing and growing. He started 30+ games as a freshman. Finished in the four-hole in his sophomore year. He's a staple in the middle of the lineup. Having a guy who's familiar with that role and knows what he's going to bring is great. Zimmer is a big presence; he gets off the bus and looks the part."

Thane Meiners is back for his senior year after earning All-GLVC Second Team honors last season. He totaled four doubles and four home runs in 2025 while posting a .310 batting average. He also pitched a bit for the Peacocks, striking out nine batters in 10 innings pitched. 

"We're fortunate to have a returning all-conference guy like him," Voigt said. "He went into last year not knowing where or how often he was going to play, but we knew we needed to give him at-bats. With our roster, he has found a home at short. Thane's an older guy with a prove-it mentality because he didn't get a ton of at-bats in his first two years. He keeps working, and he's earned everything that he's getting." 

Gabe Bombardier returns after having last season cut short due to injury. The Farmington, Minnesota, native was slashing .325/.426/.625 with four home runs in 11 games before his junior campaign was cut short. 

"He was off to a great start last year, and I am excited to see him back fully healthy this year," Voigt said. "Gabe brings a calming, veteran presence as a fourth-year guy in the middle of the lineup. He and Thane on the left side will bring some sure gloves and throws across, and they'll be able to calm down our team."

Another senior, JJ Vargas, enters 2026 chasing the UIU career record in home runs. After totaling 10 last season, Vargas sits at 19 in his career, which is 11 short of Gunnar Wicklund's record set last season. 

"He has some raw power," Voigt said. "Every ball he hits is hard. As the years have gone on, his investment level has increased. His bat can be electric."

Kyle Hrncir returns to the team as a dual-sport athlete in basketball and baseball. Hrncir currently leads the UIU men's basketball team in points per game, and will join the baseball team in the infield and on the mound this spring.

"He's the ultimate competitor," Voigt said. "Kyle is going to beat you in any way possible, whether it's basketball or baseball. He's back and healthy, and when he gets back from the basketball court, he'll be great for us."

One newcomer to watch in the lineup is freshman Brandon Lund from Farmington, Minnesota. He was an All-Section selection and a two-time all-conference selection for the Tigers. 

"Everything looked well for him in the fall," Voigt said. "He's from the same high school as Hrncir and the Bombardier's. He came in knowing some guys. His fielding has been really good, and his bat just keeps getting better and better."

A couple of other freshmen who could find their way into the mix are Braylan Bigler from Brookfield, Wisconsin, and Darren Barnes from Batavia, Illinois. 

"Those guys give us some good depth in the middle infield," Voigt said. "Both of them are guys that can hit, and that is a huge piece to getting on the field."

Senior Braden Herr and sophomore Ryne Woods are another couple of guys to watch in the designated hitter role. Herr appeared in two games last season, smacking a home run in one of two at-bats.

At catcher, the Peacocks return Devin Garbiso, while newcomers Trevor Kelling, Hunter Jones and Mason Gamboa are also in the mix. Jones is a redshirt freshman transfer, previously playing for Ashland (Ohio).

MEET THE PEACOCKS: OUTFIELD
In the outfield, Paul Safranski is back as a senior leader. Last season, he slashed .282/.368/.418 with seven doubles, a triple and a home run. 

"He got a lot of opportunities last year with a few injuries, and he stepped in," Voigt said. "He's a streaky hitter, but when he gets hits, he can do different things. Paul's gotten better every year, and he's in his fourth year of college, where he's bigger and stronger."

Cael Luzum took a redshirt season last year due to injury. During his freshman year, Luzum hit .348 with 10 doubles, then followed it up with a .290 batting average and six home runs during his sophomore campaign. 

"He hit over .300 his freshman and sophomore year," Voigt said. "He's coming back with a stronger arm, so he can pitch as well. Cael brings us a left-handed bat and a guy who understands hitting. He can be both an anchor and a jump starter for this team."

Freshman Jayce Klug enters onto the scene from Stewartville, Minnesota, and will likely see time in the outfield. 

"He's an outfielder that brings us more team speed," Voigt said. "He's looked really well in the fall and winter and can do some different things with his speed. I think he'll find his way in the lineup a good amount."

Senior Jared Hoodjer will also see some time in the outfield after he returns from injury. He has a .232 career batting average with nine home runs. Freshman Jacob Romero may get in the outfield to play as well. 

MEET THE PEACOCKS: PITCHERS
Upper Iowa returns its leader in innings pitched from last season in senior Isaiah Maes. He totaled 56.1 innings pitched and 35 strikeouts last season while adding four wins. 

"He's been a workhouse the last two years, leading our team in innings pitched," Voigt said. "He's always been a sure thing. Isaiah's going to keep you in the game, and we have a chance to win every time he toes the rubber."

Another returner is senior Gabe Olson, who appeared in a team-high 16 games in 2025. Olson totaled 31 strikeouts in 30 innings. 

"Gabe's gonna give us really good innings out of the bullpen," Voigt said. "He's been a sure thing, leading our team in appearances last year. He will keep us in every game when he comes in."

Junior Tyler Glowacki is back after appearing in 15 games with 37 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched in relief during the 2025 season. He also led the team in saves with three. 

"He's been electric," Voigt said. "Tyler is coming off a summer where he was a Northwoods League All-Star. He's an anchor in the backend, he led our team in saves last year, and I think that number will go up.

Other returners include Dylan Hesch, Marcus Champagne, Carson Dupuis, Landon Boisen, Austin Shingledecker, Garrett Bougie and Jacob Topp. Ethan Bombardier is returning from an injury and progressing well, with the hope of getting on the mound this season. Meiners and Hrncir may also see some action on the mound. 

Some newcomers to the staff are Tiffin (Ohio) transfer Brett Nicodemus, JUCO transfer Kirill Landry and freshman Garrett Konz. Landry pitched for a Century College (Minn.) team that finished second in the nation. Nicodemus appeared in four games for the Dragons last season, but will see some more action with the Peacocks. 

"Brett is an Iowa native, and it's been good for him to be close to home," Voigt said. "With his work ethic, he has proven to be one of the leaders of the pitching staff."

GLVC POLL
The Peacocks were picked ninth in last week's Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Preseason Coaches' Poll. UIU received 81 points in the poll. Six different GLVC teams received a first-place vote, but reigning tournament champions Missouri S&T did not receive one in sixth. UIndy was picked as the top team with 181 points and five first-place votes. 

FULL POLL

SCHEDULE PREVIEW
After this weekend's Northeastern State series, the Peacocks have a pair of four-game nonconference road series vs. Newman (Kan.) and McKendree (Ill.), with a three-game road series against Purdue Northwest (Ind.). The Peacocks wrap up nonconference action with a home-opening four-game series against Parkside (Wis.) on March 6-8. 

The Peacocks have no midweek games this season, playing in only weekend series. 

"We went with a schedule where we don't have any midweek games, and that was a bit by design, Voigt said. "Getting a week to rest, then going all out on the four-game weekends will be good for us." 

UIU is also looking forward to heading south this week and getting away from the snowy, winter weather of Fayette. 

"Obviously, getting into some warmer weather and getting outside right now will be good for us," Voigt said. "Being able to get out and go play is huge for us. It will help us assess what we need to do once we get into conference play."

In GLVC play, the Peacocks are scheduled to play against five of the top six teams in the conference. After a four-game series against Lincoln, UIU will be tested right away in GLVC action against preseason No. 3 Maryville, No. 1 UIndy and No. 5 Lewis. 

"Our conference schedule is tougher," Voigt said. "Everyone in the GLVC is strong, and we're reaching for our goals. To do that, we go through a good conference. I think we're ready, and we're deeper in the pitching staff, so that should help us as we go kick off baseball in February."