MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The 2026 edition of Montevallo Baseball opens Friday as the Falcons welcome Hillsdale to Kermit A. Johnson Field at Bob Riesener Stadium for Opening Weekend.
Montevallo is coming off a 29-25 overall campaign in 2025, finishing 16-17 in Gulf South Conference play. The Falcons entered the GSC Tournament as the No. 8 seed before putting together an impressive postseason run, advancing to the conference tournament championship game.
The Falcons return a veteran core after pacing the Gulf South Conference in multiple offensive categories a season ago, led by a pair of All-GSC selections in infielder McGwire Turner and utility man Evan Radford. Turner hit .404 with 86 hits, nine doubles, eight home runs, and 47 RBI during his debut season and is slated to shift from second base to third in 2026. Radford posted a .343 average with 73 hits, 16 doubles, 16 home runs, and 56 RBI and is expected to anchor the middle of the order as the designated hitter.
The Falcon lineup also gets a major boost from the return of players who missed time due to injury in 2025, highlighted by catcher Christian Kallaher, who returns after suffering a season-ending injury early last season.
"One of the big ones is getting Christian Kallaher back," said head coach Chandler Rose, who enters his 16th season at the helm. "He's such a good catcher and all-around player, but he's also just a tough leader and everyday presence."
"CK, his season ended early last year, but I think he will get rolling and have a big year behind the plate," Turner added. Turner also noted that sophomore outfielder Ian Cartwright (.347, 17 hits, three doubles, 11 RBI) is expected to take on an expanded role after missing the first half of last season due to injury.
To complement its returning core, Montevallo added 26 newcomers ahead of the 2026 campaign, with several expected to make an immediate impact.
"I am so happy with so many of the guys and how they have come in and done things," Rose said. "We're going to lean on a lot of those guys right away."
Among the position player additions, transfers Caleb Karll (Ohio) and Jack Fitzgerald (Dayton) are expected to contribute right away at the plate. Karll is slated to open the season at second base, while Fitzgerald will patrol an outfield spot.
"They're going to be big parts of our offense this year," Radford said.
Hudson Allen, a transfer from Oakland City, is projected to take over at shortstop and serve as the table-setter at the top of the lineup after batting .380 with 10 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, and 39 RBI last season. Hollon Brock (LBWCC) adds versatility as both a catcher and first baseman and is expected to be in the Opening Day lineup.
Freshman outfielder Mason Woolever is another newcomer poised for an immediate role. "You can't stop him," Turner said of the Sarasota, Fla., native.
Freshman infielder Joel Chandler is also expected to factor into the infield rotation during his debut season.
On the mound, Montevallo returns several key arms from 2025, including righthanders Zach Wyatt (2-2, 7.85 ERA, 36.2 IP) and Mason Creacy (3-1, 4.10 ERA, 37.1 IP). Both pitchers will transition into starting roles this season.
"They will take a big step forward in the rotation," Rose said.
Out of the bullpen, the Falcons bring back experienced relievers Matthew Bullard (7-4, 5.46 ERA, 59.1 IP) and Logan Medsker (1-1, 6.33 ERA, 21.1 IP). Medsker held opponents to a .163 batting average last season.
"He's going to come in and close it down for us this year," Radford said of Medsker.
The pitching staff also features an influx of new talent, led by freshman righthander Luke Holbrook, along with Matthew Sparks and Matthew Steele. "The freshmen pitchers can really step up and be a big part of our team," Radford said.
Righthander Colton Jones (Florida Gulf Coast) is expected to take a rotation spot alongside Wyatt and Creacy, while Matthew Birdsong and Sam Malone (East Mississippi CC) have impressed during the fall and early spring portion and will see extensive action.
"We've been super close from the start," Turner said when asked what makes this team different. "We're going to focus on having fun and playing the game the right way," Radford added.
Montevallo's 2026 schedule includes 27 home games and a dozen matchups against ABCA-ranked opponents, highlighted by a meeting with the reigning national champion and Preseason No. 1 Tampa next weekend. Conference play opens with ranked series against No. 14 West Florida and No. 21 Mississippi College, while the Falcons will also face No. 16 Young Harris and No. 29 North Georgia in midweek action.
First pitch of Friday's Opening Day doubleheader is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. and will be streamed live on FloCollege.
