Head Coach: Paul Tollefsrud
Where We Left Off in 2023: The Cougars went 5-7 in the SEC, but posted a first-round playoff upset win, their first Round of 16 win since 2010. They made Austin but then fell to USC 4-3 and SG 7-5 to finish the year 7-15.
Seniors Cayden Tollefsrud (C/P/SS), Colton Tollefsrud (OF), Hayden Erickson (1B), Tristan Hunsaker (OF/3B).
Juniors: Tyler Larson (C/3B/P), Cameron McKelvey (OF), Bode Weidemann (OF), Teddy Torgerson (OF).
Key Returning Underclassmen: Isaac Underbakke (So. P/SS), Milton Hutchinson (So. 1B), Kale Tollefsrud (So. OF/IF), Darian Hershberger (So. IF/P).
Outlook: M-C had a three-game post-season last year for the first time in over a decade. They had two All-SEC selections. Top pitcher Jordan Larson (P/3B/LF > 43 2/3 IP, 3-1 record, 26 BB, 38 K, 2.73 ERA, .259 average, 15 RBI, 14 R) graduated. But top overall player Cayden Tollefsrud (.381 average, 27 R, 8 RBI, 23 SB, 41 2/3 IP, 3-4 record, 36 BB, 56 K, 5.38 ERA) returns. He has thrice been All-SEC. M-C also returns its All-SEC HM pick in Tyler Larson (.324 average, team-high 26 RBI, 14 R). After those two, Isaac Underbakke (11 RBI, 17 R), Hayden Erickson (8 RBI), and Milton Hutchinson (12 R) are returning full-timers while Kale Tollefsrud and Darian Hershberger each had 20-plus plate appearances. Underbakke (25 2/3 IP), an All-SEC HM pick in 2022, joins Cayden T. as the two most used returning pitchers. T-Larson also tossed 18 innings. M-C has 20 kids out for baseball. Last year, the Cougars scored five or less runs 13 times, going 1-12. They were 6-3 when they scored six or more runs.