Missouri baseball heads into its upcoming series against Mount St. Mary’s with a fairly clear idea of how it wants to line things up, even if nothing is fully set this early in the season. Like most early-season
projections, there is some guesswork involved, and what we see this weekend could change once games are played.
There are not all true locks right now, but Missouri appears ready to use this series to establish baseline roles rather than constantly mix and match. The defensive alignment looks mostly settled, with the designated hitter spot offering the most flexibility.
Here is one possible way Missouri could line up for the series, based on current expectations.
C — Mateo Serna
1B — Tyler Macon
2B — Gehrig Goldbeck
3B — Chris Patterson
SS — Kam Durnin
LF — Cameron Benson
CF — Kaden Peer
RF — Pierre Seals
DH — Jase Woita
At first base, Tyler Macon finished last year hitting .272 with a .391 on-base percentage, making him a dependable option near the top or middle of the lineup. In the middle infield, Goldbeck posted a .407 OBP while hitting .248 last season in the DH spot, unable to play defensively due to injury. He offers speed and versatility, even if his offensive production leans more toward contact than power.
Chris Patterson mans the hot corner and showed flashes of power throughout the season. He slugged .393, and while his average sat at .232, his ability to drive the ball with eight doubles gives Missouri some upside at third base. Shortstop Kam Durnin brings experience and stability after transferring in, hitting .251 with 27 RBIs last season and providing solid production while anchoring one of the most important defensive positions on the field.
In the outfield, Cameron Benson impressed in his limited 40 plate appearances, hitting .324 with a .425 on-base percentage and a .529 slugging mark. If he stays healthy, he could be one of the more impactful bats in the lineup. Alongside him, Kaden Peer emerged as one of Missouri’s most complete offensive players, batting .299 with a .411 OBP, adding five home runs and 33 RBIs.
Pierre Seals rounds out the outfield with steady production across the board, hitting .291 with eight home runs and a .446 slugging percentage, giving Missouri a reliable bat from the outfield.
Serving as the designated hitter, Jase Woita adds middle-of-the-order pop. He hit .300 with a .394 on-base percentage and a .508 slugging mark last season with South Carolina, making him one of the more consistent run-producing options in the lineup.
Missouri’s rotation for the series appears more clearly defined, with starters already lined up for each game from Friday to Sunday.
Friday — Javyn Pimental
Saturday — Josh McDevitt
Sunday — Brady Kehlenbrink
Midweek- JD Dohrmann
Missouri’s pitching staff enters 2026 with renewed energy and a fresh identity under new pitching coach Drew Dickinson. After a rough 2025 season in which the team posted a 9.19 ERA and allowed a conference-worst 458 earned runs, Dickinson brings a competitive mindset and a proven track record from his time at Virginia, where his staffs ranked among the nation’s best.
JD Dohrmann showed promise during the Tigers’ intersquad scrimmage, tossing six innings while allowing three earned runs. Left-hander Javyn Pimental, despite missing the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery, his presence back is in the rotation. In 2024, he led the Tigers with a 3.61 ERA and allowed the fewest hits on the staff, proving he can keep runners off the bases when healthy.
The bullpen should feature a wide group of arms, especially early in the season as innings are managed.
Ian Lohse, Juan Villareal, Keyler Gonzalez, Kadden Drew, Trey Lawrence, and Dane Bjorn are all expected to factor into relief situations. Lohse was in and out of the starting rotation last season due to injury, so his return will be anticipated for a staff looking to turn the page on a rocky last season.
