BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Just ahead of the 2025 season, head coach
Jim Chester and the Runnin' Bulldogs baseball team boasts the top-ranked transfer portal class in the Big South Conference as well as the 37
th-ranked transfer class nationally.
"With all hands on deck, our staff delivered a nationally-ranked recruiting class to join a large contingent of returners that are poised to make a run at the program's first Big South Championship," said Chester. "Coach Hardy, Weisz, and Robison worked tirelessly to identify young men of character, outstanding leadership, and difference-making ability on the diamond. The 2025 season has the makings to be a special one and we are excited to start the journey in a few short weeks! #SkoDawgs!"
The Runnin' Bulldogs, who garner 15 commitments so far within the transfer portal, edged High Point, who checked in at #39 in the rankings. The Lancers of Longwood were the only other school within the Big South to land in the top-100, checking in at No. 73.
Gardner-Webb also boasts a top-10 ranking in a pair of categories, landing at No. 6 in on-base percentage (.453) and No. 8 in runs created (214.64). The Runnin' Bulldogs are the only non-power 5 school to land within the top-10 in runs created, beating out national powers Wake Forest and Mississippi State.
The 2025 recruiting class is represented by 15 different states and two countries. Click
here to find full list and accolades of newcomers to the GWU Baseball family.
2025 INCOMING CLASS
| NAME |
POSITION |
YEAR |
HOMETOWN |
PREVIOUS SCHOOL |
| Dean Winters |
LHP |
FR |
Bristow, Va. |
Highland School |
| Patrick Niehus |
INF |
FR |
Bradenton, Fla. |
IMG Academy |
| Caleb Emswiler |
RHP |
FR |
Gibsonia, Pa. |
Eden Christian |
| Dominic Guzman |
RHP |
R-JR |
Crystal Lake, Ill. |
McHenry CC |
| Ryder Wagenknecht |
RHP |
R-JR |
Wilmington, N.C. |
Cleveland CC |
| Kevin Pauly |
RHP |
JR |
Glenview, Ill. |
Glenbrook South |
| Connor Busson |
RHP |
FR |
Lexington, Ky. |
Lexington Catholic |
| Zachary Robinson |
UTIL |
FR |
South Plainfield, N.J. |
South Plainfield |
| Nick Adrian |
C |
FR |
Miami, Fla. |
Miami Sunset |
| Ben Hodge |
UTIL |
R-JR |
Shelby, N.C. |
Cleveland CC |
| Dale Francis Jr. |
INF |
R-SR |
Fort Pierce, Fla. |
Pierce Central |
| Garrett Macias |
C |
R-SR |
Iwakuni, Japan |
Cal State Bernardino |
| Drew Ripepi |
INF |
R-SO |
McMurray , Pa. |
Univ. of Pittsburgh |
| Jerek Hobb |
LHP |
JR |
Rotterdam, N.Y. |
Stony Brook |
| Will Franklin |
RHP |
R-JR |
Snohomish, WA. |
Edmonds College |
| Merik Carter |
SS |
JR |
Shelbyville, Tenn. |
Univ. Ala.-Huntsville |
| Eric Griffin |
UTIL |
FR |
Bowie, Md. |
Bishop McNamara |
| Bennett Shealor |
C |
R-SO |
Blacksburg, Va. |
George Mason |
| Aaron Morgan |
OF |
SR |
Parker, Colo. |
Colorado Christian |
| Anthony Divittorio |
UTIL |
SR |
San Jose, Calif. |
Coppin State |
| Tanner Thomas |
UTIL |
JR |
Lynchburg, Va. |
Longwood University |
| Mason Manriquez |
RHP |
R-SR |
Wellington, Fla. |
Univ. of South Florida |
| Billy Rozakis |
LHP |
SR |
Brooklyn, N.Y. |
Siena |
| Nick Vieira |
RHP |
R-SR |
Margate, Fla. |
UCF |
| Jace Presley |
RHP |
R-SR |
Fort Smith, Ark. |
Grand Canyon |
| Jaden Stockton |
RHP |
R-SO |
Sarasota, Fla. |
Florida State |
| Jack Iannibelli |
LHP |
JR |
Stoneham, Mass. |
Austin Prep |
| John Pfeffer |
RHP |
R-SR |
Riverside, Calif. |
Cal State Bernardino |
