PHILADELPHIA -- The temperature hasn’t broken yet. Jefferson is still largely confined indoors, grinding through winter practices while waiting for the season opener in Virginia. Cabin fever is real.
But so is expectation.
Jefferson enters 2026 coming off the most accomplished season in program history — a 40–17 record, the top seed in the CACC Championship Tournament, a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, and the No. 1 seed in the East Region while hosting the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.
For head coach Pat Horvath, now in his 16th season, the climb has been long.
“My first year we won five games,” Horvath said. “Now we just won 40. It took 15 years to get here.”
The recognition followed. Jefferson was picked second in the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) East Region preseason poll — validation of a program that has moved from hopeful to hunted.
But Horvath’s message to “Team 59” has been clear: last year built the spotlight. This year must protect it.
The centerpiece is sophomore infielder Thomas Matuszewski — and that’s not hyperbole.
Matuszewski authored one of the most decorated freshman seasons in Division II baseball history. He hit .438 with 24 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and 83 RBI, producing a 1.278 OPS while starting all 55 games.
The accolades matched the production: NCAA Division II Co-Freshman of the Year (2025), D2 Baseball Freshman Position Player of the Year (2025), ABCA/Rawlings First Team All-American (2025).
That trifecta places him among the elite returning players in the East Region — and likely among the early favorites for national Player of the Year consideration.
The challenge now shifts from arrival to adaptation.
With Javon Hernandez (.409, 13 HR, 36 SB) and Joshua Lopez (.382, 9 HR, 29 SB) graduated, opposing staffs will build their game plan around Matuszewski.
“He’s the kind of hitter who can just roll out of bed and put the bat on the baseball,” Horvath said. “We just have to protect him in the lineup.”
Protection shouldn’t be difficult.
Senior Gabe Silva returns as one of the program’s most consistent tone-setters. A four-year Ram and multi-time All-Conference selection, Silva hit .348 with a .454 on-base percentage last season, stealing 28 bases while striking out just 17 times in 158 at-bats.
Justin Egner may be the quiet engine of the lineup. He reached base at a .546 clip in 2025, drawing 55 walks and absorbing 27 hit-by-pitches while stealing 38 bases. Few players nationally created more traffic on the bases.
Luis Beato Mora adds power and speed after slugging seven home runs with a .504 slugging percentage and 26 steals.
That versatility defined Jefferson’s identity in 2025. The Rams led the nation in sacrifice bunts and stolen bases, while also ranking among the national leaders in batting average and home runs.
“We try to be a Swiss Army knife,” Horvath said. “The name of the game is to score runs — however you do it.”
Jay Salsbery, who delivered a grand slam in the regional round last spring, appears poised for an expanded role after thriving in high-leverage postseason moments.
The more significant transition may come on the pitching side.
Jefferson lost Danny Kerr and Albert Bobadilla, who combined for 18 wins and routinely worked deep into games. That kind of complete-game reliability is rare.
Senior Tyler Behm assumes leadership of the rotation, joined by Kevin Baez and transfer Saiben Rivera. The staff is expected to lean more heavily on depth and bullpen usage than in recent years.
“It’s going to be next guy up,” Horvath said. “Everybody’s going to have a piece in this.”
Depth may ultimately be this roster’s defining trait. Jefferson welcomed 18 newcomers — 10 transfers and eight freshmen — creating what Horvath believes is his deepest team yet. JUCO All-American transfer Andy Old could provide middle-of-the-order protection, while Gavin West arrives with championship pedigree and maturity.
The Rams aren’t trying to recreate 40 wins.
They’re trying to sustain a standard.
Replacing Hernandez and Lopez means replacing 22 home runs and 65 stolen bases. The offensive ceiling remains high, but the margin is thinner. Matuszewski will see fewer fastballs. The rotation will rely more on collective execution.
Jefferson is no longer sneaking up on anyone.
The spotlight isn’t pressure. It’s proof.
Now comes the harder part — proving it again.
Loading Phillies schedule...
Loading NL East standings...
Support the Mission. Fuel the Movement.
You’re not just funding journalism — you’re backing the future of youth baseball in Philly.
👉 Join us on Patreon »