Minnesota State Baseball Secures Six New Recruits

Minnesota State baseball head coach Matt Magers has secured six new recruits to bolster the roster for upcoming seasons, Minnesota State University – Mankato Athletics reported.

The additions come as the Mavericks look to build on a strong 2026 campaign, where the team finished with a 40-16 record. That season saw the program secure second place in both the regular season and the NSIC tournament, establishing a high performance baseline for the incoming class.

These six signings are currently contingent upon formal admission to Minnesota State and full compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

“We’re excited to welcome these six young men to Maverick Baseball,” Magers said. “This is an athletic group of quality students who bring a combination of talent, competitiveness, and strong character to our program. We feel they have tremendous upside and, more importantly, possess the work ethic and attitude we’re looking for. We believe they will be great additions to our team both on and off the field.”

New talent arrives for the Mavericks

The incoming group features a mix of high-performing infielders and pitchers from across the Midwest. Among the recruits is catcher Opland Sonnichsen from Sioux Falls, S.D., who enters the program with a state championship from his freshman year at Lincoln High School. Sonnichsen batted .420 with a .543 on-base percentage during his junior season.

Minnesota State Baseball Secures Six New Recruits

His summer performance was even more pronounced, as he recorded a .475 batting average across 124 plate appearances. Defensively, he proved his mobility by successfully stealing 44 out of 44 attempted bases during the summer season.

“Opland is a physical, right-handed hitter with an advanced understanding of the strike zone and the ability to drive the baseball to all fields,” Associate Head Coach McIntee said regarding Sonnichsen. “Defensively, his receiving skills, instincts, and leadership behind the plate give him the tools to develop into an outstanding catcher at our level.”

The pitching staff adds Mason Golberg and Jackson Mayer. Golberg, a left-handed pitcher from Savage, Minn., comes from Prior Lake High School where he posted a 2.18 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP during his sophomore season. Mayer, also a left-handed pitcher from Neenah, Wis., joins the rotation after a junior season where he struck out 58 batters in 31.2 innings while holding opponents to a .181 batting average.

Statistical breakdown of key recruits

Recruit Name	Position	Primary Stat/Achievement	Hometown
Opland Sonnichsen	Catcher	.475 Summer Batting Average	Sioux Falls, S.D.
Nolan Julseth	Infield	.514 Junior Season Average	New Glarus, Wis.
Mason Golberg	Pitcher	2.18 Sophomore ERA	Savage, Minn.
Jackson Mayer	Pitcher	58 Strikeouts (31.2 IP)	Neenah, Wis.
Aeson Kiley	Infielder	All-Section Selection	Maplewood, Minn.
Nolan VanLoy	Pitcher	All-Conference/District	Cold Spring, Minn.

Infield depth is addressed by Nolan Julseth and Aeson Kiley. Julseth, a standout from New Glarus, Wis., earned First Team All-Conference honors as both a sophomore and a junior. During his junior year, he maintained a 1.014 slugging percentage. Kiley, playing out of Hill-Murray High School in Maplewood, Minn., earned both all-conference and all-section honors during his junior campaign.

“Nolan is an explosive athlete with the competitive edge we look for in our recruits,” Associate Head Coach McIntee said of Julseth. “His ability to hit for average, and pressure opposing defenses, along with his defensive versatility, makes him a dynamic addition to our program.”

The recruiting class also includes Nolan VanLoy, a multi-sport athlete from Rocori High School. VanLoy, who is a member of the National Honor Society, has earned all-conference and all-district honors as a pitcher, while also competing in football for the past two seasons.

“Nolan is a multi-sport athlete with a strong baseball background who has proven himself in big-game situations,” McIntee said of VanLoy. “His arm strength, ability to attack hitters, and competitive mentality provide a great foundation for success at the collegiate level.”

The Mavericks are scheduled to begin their 2027 season on Friday, February 12, in Pittsburg, Kan., against Pittsburg State, with the first pitch set for 4 p.m.