IU Columbus’ Cyrus Robinson, right, makes a catch for an out at first base against Asbury’s Quinn Nobles during a baseball game April 17, 2024, at Ceraland.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
When Scott Bickel resigned after leading the IU Columbus baseball program through its first three years of existence, the school asked athletics director Zach McClellan to take over as head coach.
A former Indiana University and Major League Baseball pitcher, McClellan was more than happy to take the reins of the IUC program. The Crimson Pride open the 2026 season with doubleheaders Thursday and Friday at Toccoa Falls (Georgia).
“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to not only get back on a baseball field, where a lot of my life has been spent, but also to get a perspective as a coach as I’m managing coaches, really drilling down and really seeing what are the issues; what are the strengths?” McClellan said. “I feel like we’re up for the challenge. I never signed up to lose anything.”
After winning five games the first season and 10 the second year, IUC won 10 again last season, going 10-37. The Crimson Pride went 3-21 in the River States Conference.
Zach McClellan
McClellan credited Bickel with getting the program off the ground and putting it in a position to be successful.
“We’re entering the fourth season for baseball, and we’re coming in with a strong purpose,” McClellan said. “I believe in following a process, and if you follow that process, the outcomes take care of themselves. We’ve been hitting it pretty hard from the offseason all the way up until now. Our guys have put the work in. I’m not the easiest coach to play for. But I think at the end of the day, if you’re trying to win, that doesn’t come easy.”
Shortstop Wyatt Sutton, a senior from Eastern Hancock, has ranked among the NAIA leaders in stolen bases each of the past three seasons.
“The difference in the mentality that we bring in every year has only gotten stronger every year,” Sutton said. “The guys that we had the first year, I’d say they were just happy to be playing baseball in the first place. But I think now, at the point where we’re at, we’re getting very serious with what we’re doing. We’re very focused and don’t take days off really anymore. We definitely would that first year, but now we’re very focused, locked in and working to get better every day.”
IU Columbus’ Wyatt Sutton throws to first during a baseball game against Asbury April 17, 2024, at Ceraland.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Sutton and first baseman Cyrus Robinson, a senior from Franklin Central, have noticed the upgrade in facilities since they arrived as freshman. IUC plays home games and practices at Ceraland, practices indoors in the winter at Nexus Park and also uses the facility above Hoosier Sporting Goods on occasion.
“It’s a lot different,” Robinson said. “In the beginning, we were just scavenging for facilities. It was hard to really put the work in, and now, with Nexus, Ceraland, Hoosier, it’s really hard to make that excuse anymore. Nexus has been really good, practicing there two days a week. Ceraland is good for live (at bats) and everything. Hoosier, they let us go to get more work in whenever we can’t go to Nexus or Ceraland.”
“If you would have told me the facilities that we have now four years ago, I probably would have laughed in your face,” Sutton added. “But our department and our staff has done a really good job of getting us the equipment and facilities and have done a very good job of getting what we need to be successful.”
Brayden Furnish (sophomore, Austin) is the top returning pitcher. Riley Mertl (senior, Westfield), who missed last year with a shoulder injury, returns this season, as does Gavin Haltom (senior, Franklin Central). Zane Smith (freshman, Switzerland County) heads the list of newcomers on the mound.
McClellan was planning to take 14 pitchers to the season-opening four-game series in Georgia.
“In terms of depth, I’m excited to see what we have to offer,” McClellan said. “We talk a lot about absolutes, where we’re not looking for questions or debate. When it comes to pitching, I’m looking for competitors. It could be someone that throws 78 (mph) that is more competitive than someone that throws 88. We just want people out there that want to compete, and I’m excited because I see competition in the live at bats between the hitters and the pitchers.”
Alex McComb (senior, Columbus East), is back after sitting out last season and will be the primary catcher. Aidan Sheets (freshman, Northeast Dubois); Ty Nicholson (freshman, Seymour) and Ethan Guire (senior, Kokomo) will back up McComb.
Robinson will be backed up at first base by Avery Seegers (junior, South Decatur) and Blake Borkhardt (sophomore, Columbus East). Seegers and Borkhardt also will DH, along with Gavin Lash (sophomore, Wapahani)
Grayson Roll (freshman, Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park) takes over at second, and Sutton returns at short. Garrett Thurman (sophomore, Yorktown) will start at third, with Lash backing him up.
Carson McNulty (senior, Jennings County), moves from right field to left field. Quentcy Perry (junior, Frankfort), a transfer from Franklin College; and Brevin Barker (junior, Fishers) will play in center. Trey VanMeter (sophomore, Southridge), a transfer from Danville Area Community College, will be in right. Will Lewis (junior, Pike) and Parker Nangle (sophomore, McCutcheon) also can play in the outfield.
“No pitcher or player wants to stay in the minor leagues, and NAIA baseball is the minor leagues,” McClellan said. “So we’re not afraid to say, ‘We’ll develop you, and if you’re good enough, we’ll help you move on to a higher level.’ That’s not something we’re scared of. That’s something we embrace. I think there’s a few pitchers that we have that could do that. It’s just, they have to understand that it’s a dog-eat-dog world right now, so you better be ready.”
McClellan has beefed up his staff to include seven assistant coaches this year, led by top assistant Brian Wichman Sr.
“You’re only as good as the people you surround yourself with,” McClellan said. “We have a really good coaching staff here. I’m thankful for Dr. (Reinhold) Hill understanding that I have two jobs and enabling me to build a staff that can be a functioning collegiate staff. We’re going to grow together, we’re going to make mistakes, but as long as we day-by day move forward instead of backward, I think even the staff itself is set up to be successful.”
The first home games of the season are scheduled doubleheaders with Cleary Feb. 21 and 22.
“We talk often about flipping the hyphen, and if you can flip the hyphen, that would be one historic year,” McClellan said. “I think there’s a process you follow to winning, and I like where we’re at in the process. I’m not one that signs up for recreational baseball. I’m signed up to try to make us a winning program.
“I’m not here to make any predictions, but the league thinks we’re a last-place team,” he added. “I don’t think we are, so we’re going to have that edge, I hope. I hope the guys have the edge. I have it. I have a chip on my shoulder about it. I’m excited to get out and compete.”
