NTL BASEBALL: YOUTHFUL WYALUSING OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 2026 (March 18, 2026)

BY CHRIS MANNING
Northern Tier Sports Report
It’s a changing of the guard for Wyalusing baseball this year as a new coaching staff takes over a young squad that features just two seniors, and eight freshmen.

The Rams are coming off a tough season a year ago, but new coach Chris Tinna likes having a bit of a clean slate to work with.

“It’s actually kind of fun,” he said about rebuilding the team. “We have a pretty young group of kids, a lot of those kids I’ll see again next year - so it’s kind of exciting.”

He feels good about his junior class, which returns a few starters from a year ago.

“I can’t wait to get started,” remarked Owen Brown.

Brown feels bullish on the new coaching staff.

“It’s different but I think it’s for the better,” he said. “He knows what he’s talking about.”

Like most teams this spring the Rams have spent more time inside than outside, meaning they’ve focused a lot on hitting.

“I think it’s going to pay off eventually, but it’s different being inside than outside,” said Mahdden Hugo. “We need to focus on getting the ball in play.”

That’s going to be Wyalusing’s focus this year at the plate.

“We’re going to put the ball in play, and see what happens,” remarked Brown. “We have to have the bottom of our line-up really help us out.”

It’s allowed Tinna to work the fundamentals with such a young team, though preparation has been tough.

“I don’t know if there’s any way you can truly prepare inside,” he said. “We had a scrimmage last week, which helped, so you see a lot of stuff on the field that you can’t really see in the gym.”

He’s expecting a lot from the junior class of Brown, Hugo, Dawson Biza, Cooper Peck, Jared VandeMark, Michael Phillips, and Ryne McAllister, along with sophomore Marshall Huston. 

“We’re looking to build some leadership with the older kids,” said Tinna.

The juniors feel that’s where they come in, especially if they want to hit their goals.

“We need to work as a team, and some of us need to be leaders, and take over showing the younger kids what to do,” Hugo said. “We definitely need to speak up to each other, and keep the focus on the game, and keep talking.”

One big hole they have to replace is on the pitcher’s mound, where Hunter House ate up most of their innings. Expect them to fill those innings by committee with VandeMark, Brown, and Biza getting the lion’s share of innings.

“We’ve been putting in the work in practice,” Brown said. “We’re trying to do our best out there.”

After coming up short of districts last year Wyalusing has made that a goal this year.

“I think every year we’re going to shoot for .500,” Tinna said. “We can get to .500 if we can show improvement from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. Beat the teams we’re supposed to beat, and stay in some games against some tough teams, then I think we’d be pretty successful.”

With several NTL teams being young as well the Rams feel they can match up with most of the league.

“I think we’re going to hold our own this year,” Brown said. “I think we’re going to have a good year.”

ROSTER (Grade)
Austin Jones (9)
Gage Tinna (9)
Brian Dietz (12)
Cal Pickett (10)
Campbell Carr (9)
Colton Robinson (12)
Cooper Peck (11)
Dawson Biza (11)
Dillon Gonsauls (9)
Griffin Sheldon (9)
Holden Patrick (10)
Jared VandeMark (11)
Izaiah Newell (9)
Landry Tinna (10)
Marshall Huston (10)
Mahdden Hugo (11)
Michael Phillips (11)
Owen Brown (11)
Ryne McAllister (11)
Wiley Trobaugh (9)
Trentyn Gardner (9)

SCHEDULE
Mar 19 vs Elk Lake, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 21 vs NPM, 11 a.m.
Mar 24 vs Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 26 at Troy, 4:30 p.m.
Mar 31 at Athens, 4:30 p.m.
April 2 at Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
April 4 at Tunkhannock, 4 p.m.
April 9 at CV, 4:30 p.m.
April 11 vs Williamson, 11 a.m.
April 14 at NPM, 4:30 p.m.
April 16 at Towanda, 4:30 p.m.
April 21 vs Troy, 4:30 p.m.
April 23 vs Athens, 4:30 p.m.
April 24 at Wyoming Seminary, 4:30 p.m.
April 28 vs Wellsboro, 4:30 p.m.
April 29 at South Williamsport, 4:30 p.m.
May 1 vs NEB at Binghamton Stadium, 5:30 p.m.
May 2 vs Blue Ridge at Binghamton Stadium, 11 a.m.
May 5 at Canton, 4:30 p.m.



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