LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Newness is the predominant theme of the Bellarmine University baseball team heading into the 2025 season.

The Ben Reel era is underway, as the former NAIA National Coach of the Year and all-time winningest coach at nearby IU Southeast (548-264-1 record in 15 seasons with the Grenadiers) has taken the reigns of the program.

Reel's staff — assistant coach/recruiting coordinator Daylan Nanny, assistant coach Brandon Boxer and pitching coach Brayden Simich — are also first-year members, although graduate assistant Nolan Pender and student assistant Ross Goldschlag do provide strong ties to the program as former Knights pitchers.

Bellarmine's 40-man roster is also highly revamped, with a near-even split of returners (21) and newcomers (19), a large majority of the latter having previous college experience.

Something else new: Entering its fifth season in the NCAA's highest level, Bellarmine is now eligible for the NCAA Tournament after completing the four-year transition from D2 to D1.

Reel became the 20th head coach in program history after a brief hiatus from the dugout — his last season at IU Southeast, where he posted a .674 winning percentage and nine 35-plus win seasons, was in 2023.

"Stepping back into the coaching ranks has been both invigorating and challenging," Reel said. "It's been an honor to serve our players and coaches daily, working to foster a competitive yet accountable environment. While every new team comes with a learning curve, the core values — accountability, discipline and trust — remain constant."

Reel began implementing his most-valued principles from the get-go.

"Since being named head coach, my top priority has been establishing a culture where players take ownership — where leadership doesn't just come from me or my staff but from within the locker room," he said. "That process takes time, but when you set clear expectations early and empower the right guys, momentum builds quickly.

"And when that happens, the successes tend to follow."

It's been a whirlwind for Reel and his staff getting to know, evaluate and prepare the Knights for the upcoming season, but he's been encouraged by what he's seen.

"In my short time with this team, I'd characterize them as competitive, resilient and coachable," Reel said. "They've shown a strong willingness to compete, a desire to improve and the ability to consistently work together. There's a good mix of talent and leadership potential, but the real strength is their work ethic and commitment to each other. We're still building our identity, but the foundation is there for something special."

The following is a positional projection of the 2025 Knights:

OUTFIELD
Coming off first-team All-ASUN accolades last season, senior Casey Sorg (.348/.416/.638, 14 HR, 12 2B, 49 RBI in 2024 ) was named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team and recognized among the nation's top 100 outfielders in the preseason by D1Baseball. Seniors Jake Agarwal (43 starts, .274 avg., 11 SB, 25 runs), Jacob Rowold (26 starts, 3 HR, 22 runs) and Jackson Case (19 appearances) and junior Joey Milto (25 starts, .261 avg.) are fellow returners in the outfield while redshirt junior Eli Watson (Arizona Western College) and redshirt sophomore Nick Gnardellis (Delaware State) are new arrivals.

Coach Reel on the OF: "Led by team captain Casey Sorg, our outfield core will boast the most experience of any group of position players. New transfers such as Eli Watson and Nick Gnardellis will help add some thump in the lineup along with a list of familiar faces such as Jackson Case, Jacob Rowold, Jake Agarwal and Joey Milto."

FIRST BASE
Junior Brady Morse (41 starts, .276 avg., 3 HR, 10 2B, 22 RBI) has been a Swiss Army Knife at Bellarmine, including manning both corner infield slots. True freshman Christian Kiper and redshirt freshman McKay Whitaker (Indiana University) are newcomers.

Coach Reel on 1B: "We have a trio of players that will impact the hot corner with the likely front-runner early being freshman Christian Kiper along with two-way player Brady Morse and freshman McKay Whitaker."

MIDDLE INFIELD
Junior Luke Scales (48 starts, .294 avg., 12 2B, 25 RBI, 22 runs) was the starting shortstop last season but is shifting to third base. Senior Andres Castro (43 starts, .293 avg., 29 runs) is a returner at second base. Freshman Landon Akers will make his debut after redshirting last season. Senior Seth Sweet-Chick (Cumberland University), junior Garrett Rusch (Allen CC) and redshirt freshman Grant Borden (Mercer) are transfers.

Coach Reel on the middle infield: "Middle infield will be a versatile mix led by senior Seth Sweet-Chick and redshirt freshman Landon Akers. This duo will be enhanced by support from starting third baseman and the shortstop from last season, Luke Scales. Andres Castro can add a lot once he returns from injury as an option at second base as well. Transfers Garrett Rusch and Grant Borden will add much-needed depth and versatility. Rusch can play three of the four infield positions and will be a spark for us as he's proven early in spring practice."

THIRD BASE
Scales and redshirt junior Zac Jones (14 appearances) are both returners.

Coach Reel on 3B: "Luke Scales will patrol the hot corner and prove to be a mainstay on the Knights' left side throughout the spring. His veteran leadership will prove to be a key factor in key defensive stands along with one of the most experienced returning offensive players for the Knights. If healthy, Zac Jones can make significant contributions at third base as well."

CATCHER
Junior Charlie Rife (35 starts, 6 HR, 26 RBI, 20 runs) is back while redshirt junior Connor Pawlowski (Butte College) and the aforementioned Gnardellis are transfers. Mason Acton, who was rated No. 1 in Kentucky and 240th nationally out of high school by Perfect Game, is a true freshman.

Coach Reel on catcher: "Our catching core is an area that consists of a more versatile group than most clubs. Two of the four catchers can play other positions on the field as well as catch. The most experienced returning catcher is Charlie Rife, who provides a power threat in the lineup as well. Connor Pawlowski is an above-average catch/throw offering behind the plate with the ability to play both infield/outfield positions as a secondary position. Mason Acton is a freshman catcher that has a high ceiling. He has a well-above-average arm for a catcher and a short, compact, yet powerful stroke from the left side of the plate. Nick Gnardellis clubbed 18 extra-base hits at Delaware State in 2023, nine of them being home runs. He will also see action in the outfield as well as DH this spring."

STARTING PITCHING
Sophomore right-handers Chase Carver (21 appearances, five starts) and Sam Matherly (19 appearances, seven starts) are returners. Bellarmine expects to lean heavily on newcomers in redshirt sophomore left-hander Aaron Ragat (El Camino College), redshirt sophomore right-hander Zach Horwith (Wabash Valley College) and junior right-hander Oliver Ward (Northeast CC). Right-hander Chase Chamberlain is a true freshman.

Coach Reel on starting pitching: "Starting pitching will be centered around a younger, inexperienced group of arms. In the early season, this group will work to solidify its presence in the ASUN and a strong nonconference schedule. Transfers Aaron Ragat and Zach Horwith will be slated to start two of the three games each weekend with the other start being made by returners Chase Carver, Sam Matherly or transfer Oliver Ward. Also making a strong bid to join the weekly rotation is freshman Chase Chamberlain. Chamberlain has shown dominant flashes this spring to be an arm that will have an impactful freshman campaign, either on the front end or back end of our pitching staff. Early on, the starters will be working together by sharing workloads and keeping mileage down to ensure health and productivity throughout the season."

MIDDLE RELIEF PITCHING
Bellarmine has an abundance of returning experience in this department in senior right-hander Arren Hash (15 appearances), redshirt junior right-hander Holden Groher (15 appearances), senior right-hander Hudson Cornett (19 appearances), redshirt junior right-hander Cole McMichael (nine appearances), redshirt senior right-hander Mike Sokol (14 appearances, eight starts) and sophomore left-hander Carson Brower (13 appearances). Transfers include redshirt sophomore right-hander Logan Plasencia (Miami Dade College), redshirt junior right-hander Nathaniel Helton (Palomar College) and senior left-hander Jamie McMahon (University of Toledo). Left-hander Kevin O'Connor is a true freshman.

Coach Reel on middle relief: "Our bullpen has several different looks to transition from starters to back-end pitchers. Returners such as veteran Arren Hash could be someone who could easily wear all hats on our pitching staff in 2025. Also providing meaningful experienced support are returning right-handed pitchers Holden Groher, Hudson Cornett, Cole McMichael and Mike Sokol as well as welcoming transfers Logan Plasencia and Nate Helton. Left-handed relievers in this group are returner Carson Brower and the duo of newcomers, freshman Kevin O'Connor and transfer Jamie McMahon. This overall group should be versatile enough to traverse crucial outs in the transition between starters and back-end bullpen arms."

BACK-END RELIEF PITCHING
Senior right-hander Blake Donnan (eight appearances, six starts, battled injury), senior right-hander Cooper Hellman (11 appearances, seven starts) and Morse (nine pitching appearances in 2023) are returners while senior right-handers Clay Kennedy (McNeese State) and Logan Haslam (Willamette University) are transfers.

Coach Reel on back-end relief: "The late-inning pitching barrage of arms is much upgraded overall. Headlining this group of arms is senior Blake Donnan. Donnan is 6-foot-6 and boasts an XL frame capable of generating swing-and-miss offerings daily for us. With experience, he could prove to be the head of the snake in the back end of the bullpen. He is surrounded by a significantly skilled group of firemen such as returners Cooper Hellman and two-way player Brady Morse. Transfers that will make significant contributions late in games are Clay Kennedy and Logan Haslam. Both have significant-impact competitive and in-college experience, as both are seniors."

Overall, Reel believes the Knights have the pieces in place to deliver a successful season.

"The team is extremely versatile and well-positioned to make a real run," he said. "Staying healthy, playing consistent defense and finding ways to consistently score runs will be the key. Our carry-tool will be our team chemistry and the ability to respond to adversity."

Bellarmine is set for a 56-game slate this season, starting Friday-Sunday with a three-game series at Troy, which attained a preseason No. 25 ranking from D1Baseball.

"My vision for Bellarmine Baseball is to advance our storied program by fortifying the culture of teamwork, leadership and relentless competitiveness," Reel said. "On the field, we'll play with passion and discipline. Off the field, we'll develop leaders who excel in the classroom and the community.

"This season, and every season, will be about honoring the past while raising the bar for the future. With the right mindset and our player-led approach, there's no limit to what we can accomplish."

For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights) and Facebook (BUKnights).