The Valparaiso University baseball program and head coach Brian Schmack have announced the addition of eight incoming freshmen, who will arrive on campus in Fall 2026 and join the program leading into the Spring 2027 season.
 
"I would like to thank our assistant coaches for all of the effort that they have put into recruiting this class over the last 12-18 months," head coach Brian Schmack said. "Our staff did a great job of identifying great baseball players and even better people who will fit well in our program. We're looking forward to welcoming this class to Valpo."
 
Aidan Kanazawa (Downers Grove, Ill. / Downers Grove South) was an all-conference honoree whose high school stats include a .427 batting average, .511 on-base percentage and 28 stolen bases.
 
"I chose Valpo because of the coaches and the environment," Kanazawa said. "Spending the day with Coach Brian and Coach Brady was so much fun. It was great to see how genuine they were. It felt like home after I left and I knew that's where I wanted to be for the next four years."
 
A member of his school's honor roll last year, Kanazawa also earned all-conference honors in football.
 
"We like shortstops who are athletic and projectable," Schmack said. "Aidan fits that. He is a switch hitter who can hit from both sides. He can play anywhere on the infield. He is a competitor who is going to play the game the right way. He is going to be a great addition to our lineup."
 
Andrew Dawson (Tremont, Ill. / Tremont) earned all-conference honors on the diamond each of the last two years and was also a basketball all-conference honoree last season. He set the school record for wins in a baseball and basketball season last year as a part of both programs.
 
"I chose Valpo because of the great facilities, atmosphere and the family that the team has," Dawson said. "I loved the entire visit and everything about the campus. The coaching staff made me feel welcomed and I knew it was the best fit for me right away. Valparaiso is a great city and community and it's the place I want to spend the next four years."
 
Outside of athletics, Dawson is also involved in student council and National Honor Society.
 
"Andrew is a special two-way talent who has the ability to do both at the collegiate level," Schmack said. "He is a big, strong, physical kid. On the mound, he is super athletic and has a three-pitch mix that is going to be fun to develop. In the batter's box, he hit for power all spring and summer. His two-way ability is going to be a huge addition to our team."
 
Brandon Pelz (Bartlett, Ill. / Bartlett) will finish his high school career as a four-year varsity player. He earned all-conference honorable mention as a junior, when he racked up 82 strikeouts against just 11 walks in 51 innings of work on the mound.
 
"I chose Valpo because I felt I had a genuine connection with the coaching staff right off the bat," Pelz said. "I also have nothing but good things to say about Valpo as a school and as a baseball program, and I could not be more excited to be a part of the program."
 
Off the field, Pelz was a four-year member of the Bartlett Buddies, a program that allows students to interact with special education students. He was a two-year varsity basketball player as well.
 
"Brandon's big frame and athleticism on the mound has allowed him to throw a ton of strikes," Schmack said. "His fastball mixed with his breaking ball is going to allow him to get a lot of outs at this level. We are excited to see him impact our pitching staff."
 
Collin Ash (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) is a two-time all-conference and all-county player at Roncalli High School, where he batted .400 this past season with 37 hits, 14 extra-base knocks and 31 RBIs. He also pitched 47 2/3 innings, totaling a 1.74 ERA with 43 strikeouts and an opponents' batting average of .134. He limited opponents to 21 total hits and 12 earned runs over the course of the season.
 
"I chose Valpo because I fell in love with the campus and baseball coaching staff immediately," Ash said. "I also loved the academic buildings and felt like I would fit perfectly into smaller-school life while still living on a beautiful campus. I am excited to play baseball and study business."
 
Ash was a three-year starter at quarterback for the Roncalli football team. He won the 2025 Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award for Class 4A after leading his team to a state runner-up finish and state finals appearance. He is also a member of National Honor Society.
 
"We like multiple-sport athletes," Schmack said. "Being the QB1 at Roncalli is no easy task and we are excited to see the leadership cross over to the baseball field. Collin brings a mix of athleticism, defense and hitting ability that is going to allow him to make an impact on our lineup. We are excited to see him roaming centerfield at Emory G."
 
Drew Stevens (Bloomington, Ill. / Normal Community) was a unanimous first team all-conference choice this past season after leading his team to third place at state in Class 4A.
 
"I chose Valpo because as soon as I stepped on campus, it felt like I was at home," Stevens said. "The warm welcome from the coaches and other players was awesome. The campus has a welcoming atmosphere, and all of the teachers who I met really care about their students and athletes. Getting to play for a good program like Valpo and getting to play around great people is something that I couldn't pass up."
 
Stevens is a multi-sport athlete as he also qualified for state in golf.
 
"Drew's ability to handle a pitching staff along with his ability in the batter's box excites us," Schmack said. "He is an outstanding person on and off the field. He gets better every single time we watch him. We are excited to see his ability to impact our offense and pitching staff."
 
Alec Novotney (Marseilles, Ill. / Marquette Academy) led his team to a 1A state title in 2025, earning all-state, all-conference and all-area honors. He was named Conference Pitcher and Player of the Year, Area Baseball Player of the Year, Prep Baseball Report All-State Second Team and all-conference first team. He also led his team to a state title as a sophomore in 2024, earning all-state, all-conference and all-area honors while earning 1A IHSBCA Player of the Year and Conference Pitcher of the Year awards. He was also a second team all-conference performer as a freshman in 2023.
 
"I chose Valpo because it seemed like the perfect fit for me," Novotney said. "I love the coaching staff and what the future of the program looks like."
 
Novotney also thrived on the hardwood, where he earned all-area first team honors as both a sophomore and junior. During his junior season of basketball, he achieved all-state and first team all-conference honors as well. Novotney, who has scored over 1,000 career points, is a member of National Honor Society.
 
"Alec proved to be an elite strike thrower this spring and summer," Schmack said. "He is a fierce competitor who wants the ball. His ability to spin the baseball and throw strikes is going to allow him to impact our pitching staff. We cannot wait to add him to our team."
 
Aidan Creasbaum (Cedar Lake, Ind. / Hanover Central) is very involved in giving back to the younger community, especially in his hometown.
 
"I chose Valpo because of the environment and the coaching staff," Creasbaum said. "As soon as I stepped on campus for my visit, I could tell they were trying to do something special that I wanted to be a part of. Valpo is a welcoming community and I can't wait to become a Beacon."
 
A Northwest Indiana native, Creasbaum played travel ball for the Indiana Bulls.
 
"Strength and athleticism that plays at the college level – Aidan checks both of those boxes," Schmack said. "He can play all over the infield and his hitting ability is going to help bolster our lineup. Aidan is an uber confident competitor who enjoys playing the game. We are excited to bring him into our family."
 
Cail Geiger (Menomonee Falls, Wis. / Menomonee Falls) was a first-team all-conference honoree each of the last two years as a sophomore and junior. He also earned first team all-district, third team all-state and academic all-district as a junior after achieving second team all-district and honorable mention all-state as a sophomore.
 
"I chose Valpo not only because of the coaching staff, but because of the brotherhood I felt when I went on my first visit," Geiger said. "Not only could I see myself playing there, it felt like a home the second I stepped on campus. In the classroom, I saw a great opportunity for growth when I saw the class sizes and engagement between the professors and the students. Lastly, I chose Valpo to continue strengthening my faith in the Lord and to help share His word while playing the game I love."
 
Geiger pitched 54 2/3 innings and posted a 4-1 record and 1.15 ERA as a junior, striking out 74, walking 26 and holding opponents to a .159 batting average. As a sophomore, he went 6-2 with a 1.69 ERA, 55 strikeouts, 29 walks and a .184 batting average against in 41 1/3 innings.
 
"Cail is an outstanding student and baseball player," Schmack said. "He is mature beyond his years. His three-pitch mix plus his competitiveness allowed him to be one of the top high school arms in the state of Wisconsin. He is a big addition to our pitching staff and our program."