CHICAGO (Feb. 11, 2026) — The UIC baseball team opens the 2026 season later this week in San Antonio, Texas, beginning its fourth year in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Flames finished last year with a 22-33 overall record and 16-11 mark in MVC play, placing fourth in the Valley and advancing to the final day of the MVC Baseball Championship. Head coach Sean McDermott said the team's resilience late in the season reflected the program's identity.

"We fell short, but we held it together and finished strong," McDermott said. "I hope we can build on that going into this year."
UIC returns 14 student-athletes this spring, with junior utility player Vidal Colon and senior left-hander Brandon Bak expected to anchor the team's veteran corps. Colon appeared in 35 games last season, batting .264 with 28 hits, four home runs and 17 RBI while playing multiple defensive positions.

"He's an absolute grinder and shows that every day," McDermott said. "He's not afraid to have tough conversations and reinforce what we value here."

Bak, a southpaw McDermott has relied on since his freshman season, enters his final year as a leader on and off the mound.

"The way he goes about his business and his commitment to excellence sets the standard for our guys," McDermott said.

Nineteen newcomers will make their Flames debut in 2026, including seven pitchers. McDermott highlighted freshmen Keegan Luxem, Charlie Taczy and Aidan Terronez as key additions to UIC's pitching pool.

"Those three freshmen are going to be special and play big roles for us," McDermott said.

Offensively, McDermott is looking for production from senior Will Smoot and junior Ashton Kampa. Smoot is expected to contribute behind the plate, at first base and as a designated hitter, while Kampa provides a left-handed presence in the middle of the order.

Freshman infielder Sean Cody is another newcomer to watch.

"He'll see time in the infield and can really run," McDermott said.

UIC opens the season with a 15-game road trip spanning Texas, Tennessee and Missouri, and highlighted by six games against power-conference opponents — a four-game series at SEC foe Missouri, as well as single matchups with ACC member Notre Dame and Big Ten opponent (and crosstown rival) Northwestern. McDermott said the demanding nonconference slate will test the team both academically and competitively.

"We're excited about the challenge," McDermott said. "Being on the road brings obstacles, but we want to excel in all areas."

The MVC preseason poll tabbed UIC third entering the season. Five Flames were also named MVC Players to Watch — Bak, senior Mason Buss, junior Thomas Curry, graduate student Jared Lessman and Smoot.

Despite the recognition, McDermott said the focus remains unchanged.

"We want to play at a championship level and compete for a Missouri Valley Conference title," he said.

UIC opens the season at 2 p.m. (CT) Friday (Feb. 13), starting off a three-game series against Incarnate Word at Sullivan Field in San Antonio.

The Flames will kick off the home portion of their schedule with a seven-game run at Curtis Granderson Stadium, starting March 13-15 with a three-game series against UNC Greensboro. That will be followed by a St. Patrick's Day meeting against Big Ten foe Iowa before UIC opens conference play March 20-22 at home against Southern Illinois.

For more information on UIC baseball, visit UICFlames.com and follow the Flames on X (@UIC_Baseball, @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_baseball, @uicflames).