Gainesville, FL

The 2026 Santa Fe baseball season was marked by their 20th year under head coach Johnny Wiggs. The Saints posted a record of 21 wins and 27 losses in 2026, fighting against tough in-conference competition resulting in four teams from the state of Florida ranked inside the top-25, with an additional two teams receiving votes in the last NJCAA DI Baseball Rankings. Though a tough end to the season for the Saints, there was no shortage of career milestones, impressive performances, and highlights during the season.

Despite two losses in their opening series vs. a powerful Gulf Coast State team, the Saints followed it up by winning 8 of their next 9 games, scoring at least 6 runs in each victory. 

1B Ryan Chase played a crucial part throughout the Saints' start to the season. Chase, being awarded First Team All-Citrus Conference and Second Team All-State, hit an impressive .393 and added 36 RBI and 8 home runs. Chase had at least one hit in all but five games, and nearly hit for the cycle with 2 singles, a triple, and a home run in a 12-3 win against Seminole State. For his strong leadership and character, Chase was recognized as Santa Fe's Kenny Drost Male Leader of the Year.

Another bright spot during the streak and the Saints' 2026 season was starting RF Cole Carnell. Carnell, a native of Middleburg, FL, wasted no time making noise during his freshman year. In his sixth collegiate game, Carnell helped the Saints to a 12-9 victory against TNXL Academy, where he recorded 3 RBI, a triple, and a home run. In 36 games, Carnell hit .385 and recorded at least one hit in 29 of them. For his efforts, Carnell was named as a member of the All-Citrus Conference Second Team.

Shortly after the hot streak, Matthew Pagan was recognized as FCSAA's DI Pitcher of the Week after a Feb. 24 outing against Hillsborough Community College. Pitching four scoreless innings, he allowed just two hits to four strikeouts, and retired 15 of his final 16 batters in the outing. Pagan, a sophomore from Boca Raton, finished the season with 56 strikeouts.

Similar to Chase, three other Saints were awarded individually for their character and academic performances. James Leach earned the Susan Tholen Academic Achievement Award, Joseph Calise won the Perseverance Award, and Stephen Joyce won the Dr. Portia Taylor Academic Award at the 2026 Players Choice Awards.

Throughout the year, the Saints had key freshmen emerge as core pieces for their future. Led by the early breakout of Cole Carnell, the Saints will be retaining other key talents, including James Suarez, JP Espinosa, Anthony Filice, Austin Cardozo, Cole Carnell, Easton McMahan, Ethan Monrad, Hayden Montanez, Joseph Calise, Kaden Howell, Peyton Brenneman, and Samuel Castillo, as well as additional players who redshirted in 2026. 

After the conclusion of the season, it was announced that longtime Santa Fe baseball head coach and NJCAA Hall of Famer Johnny Wiggs would be retiring. After 20 seasons, 627 wins, multiple hall-of-fame inductions, and a storied legacy, Coach Wiggs made the call to pass on the reins of leadership in Saints Baseball. 

After another chapter finished in Saints' baseball history, the sights will now be set on a new era in 2027. With plenty of talent both new and returning, a bright future is now of focus for Santa Fe baseball.

The Saints had nine total players commit to four-year schools to continue their careers.

Shawn Andrade – Mercer University - Story

Ryan Chase – University of Kansas - Story

Stephen Joyce – Lynn University - Story

Kolten Leach – Florida A&M University - Story

Dylan Lovelace – University of New Orleans - Story

Ben Monger - West Virginia State University - Story

Matthew Pagan – Virginia Commonwealth University - Story

Wyatt Tesar - Barry University - Story

Brady Wright – Eastern Kentucky University