The Valparaiso University baseball program and head coach Brian Schmack have announced the addition of nine student-athletes who have signed to continue their careers at Valpo beginning with the 2025-26 academic and athletic year.
 
"I want to thank our assistant coaches for their efforts these last 12-18 months," Schmack said. "Cam Johnson, Adam Brian and Brady Nowicki did a great job identifying the right people for our program. In this changing landscape, they found talented players and even better kids. We're looking forward to their arrival on campus."
 
Calen Schembra (Greenwood, Ind. / Center Grove) was a sectional, regional and semistate champion as part of a sophomore season that culminated with a state runner-up finish. During his junior summer, he represented the state of Indiana on the Midwest team at the Future Games. During his junior season, he batted .368 with 10 extra-base hits and two home runs.
 
"I was looking to be a part of a baseball family and chose Valpo because Coach Johnson and Coach Schmack have a program that represents just that," Schembra said. "I felt Valpo was a perfect fit to help me follow my dreams of playing Major League Baseball with Coach Schmack having played in MLB and all of his connections and experience."
 
Schembra also played basketball until his sophomore year. Away from the diamond, he enjoys lifting and spending time with friends and family.
 
"Calen is a versatile defender with the ability to play multiple positions," Schmack said. "We are excited about his combination of size and strength to go along with his hit tool."
 
Colton Rerick (Granger, Ind. / Penn) is a two-year varsity player who also spent a year on the football team.
 
"Compared to other schools that had interest in me, Valpo stood out and was what my heart was following," Rerick said. "The deciding factors that helped me make my decision were getting an opportunity to get playing time as a freshman, playing against the best, having great facilities and coaches to help me develop as a player and Valpo's strong academic program."
 
Rerick enjoys golfing in his spare time. He is part of his high school's stock market club.
 
"Colton has a great three-pitch mix and has shown great ability to command the fastball," Schmack said. "He is a fierce competitor with great mound presence. We are excited to add him to our pitching staff."
 
Luke Albrecht (Brownsburg, Ind. / Brownsburg) was the sixth rated uncommitted lefty in the state in 2023. In 2024, he ranked 73^rd in the state.
 
"When I walked on campus, it felt like home," Albrecht said. "The coaching staff impressed me when they knew my stats better than I did at the time. The overall Valpo experience aligned directly with my goals both on and off the field."
 
Albrecht has earned academic honors in the classroom.
 
"Luke has a super high ceiling, and we are excited to watch him grow here," Schmack said. "He is a great student and teammate. His three-pitch mix from the left side will bolster our pitching staff next year."
 
Wyatt Shaw (Princeton / Cincinnati, Ohio) is a two-time Great Miami Conference all-league performer and Prep Baseball Ohio's seventh ranked catcher from the Class of 2025. This spring will be his fourth year as a varsity starter at catcher. He has earned academic all-conference honors three straight years and has been inducted into National Honor Society. He was named a Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star and twice was voted Cincinnati.com Big School Player of the Week. He played travel baseball for the Cincy Flames Organization, where he received many all-tournament accolades.
 
"Valpo gave me a chance and meant it when others didn't," Shaw said. "It was a fit as soon as I stepped on campus. I knew it was home."
 
Shaw is the youngest of three with two older sisters Tori and Gabby. He has spent time volunteering at Matthew 25 ministries and at camps teaching younger kids to play the game he loves.
 
"Wyatt brings leadership and athleticism to our team," Schmack said. "His physicality and tools make him a great fit for us as a catcher. He checks off all the boxes for what you want in a baseball player. We are super excited to add him to our family."
 
Cole Lockwood (Libertyville, Ill. / Libertyville), the younger brother of Valpo redshirt junior pitcher Connor Lockwood, earned all-conference honors as a junior and all-conference honorable mention as a sophomore. He will finish his prep career as a three-year varsity starter and was a member of the All-Tournament Team at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla.
 
"I chose Valpo because I love the coaches and what their vision is for the future of the program," Lockwood said. "Valpo is close to home, which was a big factor for me, and I loved the feel of the campus."
 
Away from the diamond, Lockwood has been an honor roll student every year of high school and is a member of National Honor Society and Athletic Leadership Program.
 
"We are always looking for athleticism and great defense," Schmack said. "Cole brings that to our team. He can play all over the infield. His speed and hitting ability will be a great addition to our lineup."
 
 Joey Kafka (Mundelein, Ill. / Mundelein) is an all-conference and all-academic performer who has also earned Chicago Tribune All-Area and Daily Herald All-Area honors. Outside of high school, he was named to the WWBA All-Tournament Team in Jupiter, Fla.
 
"I chose Valpo because it just seemed like a perfect fit for me," Kafka said. "I am going to continue to play baseball and room with one of my best friends, Cole Lockwood, and also play with his brother Connor Lockwood, who I have looked up to for a long time. The MVC has always been a conference that I wanted to be in because it is competitive and a great place to grow as a baseball player. I cannot wait to get on campus and be a part of the program."
 
Last season, Kafka posted a 7-1 record with 61 strikeouts in 43 innings while posting a 1.40 ERA.
 
"Joey has a great arsenal from a pitching standpoint," Schmack said. "His slider is one of the better off-speed pitches we saw on the summer circuit this year. He loves to compete and we are excited to add him to the 2025 class."
 
Grant Gilbreath (Papillion, Neb. / Papillion La Vista South) has played varsity baseball since his sophomore season and helped his team to a district title during his sophomore campaign.
 
"I chose Valpo because the coaches seemed highly interested in developing and growing with their players," Gilbreath said. "Visiting the campus and surrounding community made me feel close to home."
 
An academic honor roll member all four years, Gilbreath has earned an academic letter for holding a grade point average above 4.0. He has been in athletic training academy for two years.
 
"Grant adds athleticism and physicality to our lineup," Schmack said. "He is an outstanding teammate and student. Grant has all the tools to be a high-level defender at our level."
 
Seth Pitcock (Crown Point, Ind. / Boone Grove) owns his school's single-season hits record, single-season runs scored record and tied for the all-time stolen base record. He is a two-time prep all-conference and all-state honoree.
 
"I chose Valpo because I've heard many great things about the University and program because I have family, friends and a coach who went there," Pitcock said. "Valpo gives me the chance to accomplish everything I want in my baseball career, my academic career and my life after college."
 
"Seth brings the potential to help us on both sides of the baseball," Schmack said. "He loves to throw strikes and has great off-speed stuff. He is also a great defender. Adding Seth's athleticism on offense and defense will be a huge boost to our team."
 
Cayden Ray (Owensboro, Ky. / Owensboro) is a three-time all-district and three-time all-region performer in the high school ranks. He has earned academic all-state honors four times and was named the Owensboro Times Player of the Year.
 
"I chose Valpo because it felt like a family from the jump," Ray said. "All it took was one time on campus, and I knew that's where I wanted to go. The love and support Valpo showed throughout my recruitment was incredible. The immense relationship they build before you even announce your commitment shows what Valpo is all about."
 
Ray posted a 6-0 record in 25 1/3 innings during the summer, allowing three earned runs on 10 hits for an 0.83 ERA and .122 batting average against while recording 37 strikeouts. During the high school season, he hit .451 with a .528 on-base percentage with 41 hits and 17 RBIs.
 
"Cayden is an outstanding human, on and off the field," Schmack said. "He brings elite athleticism and great work ethic to our program. Cayden has plus command of multiple pitches. Adding him to our pitching staff is a huge addition."