The 2025 college baseball season is just around the corner, and the Missouri Tigers are ready to build on the foundation laid last year. Under first-year head coach Kerrick Jackson, the Tigers wrapped up the 2024 season with a 23-32 overall record, including a 9-21 mark in SEC play.
After wrapping up their first tournament, the team will return to the United States and travel to Orlando, Florida, to take on their next opponent.
UCF - February 19
The Tigers return to the U.S. for their first stateside game of the season, traveling to Orlando, Florida, to face the UCF Knights. The Knights are coming off a strong 2024 campaign in which they finished 37-21 overall and 14-15 in Big 12 play. After reaching the Big 12 Tournament semifinals, where they fell to Oklahoma State, UCF earned a spot in the Tallahassee Regional. There, they eliminated Stetson before falling to Florida State in the regional championship.
Leading UCF’s offense is senior Matt Prevesk, a Florida transfer who had an impressive 2024 campaign, hitting .342 with a .474 slugging percentage. However, Prevesk's free-swinging approach showed in his 25% strikeout rate and sub-10% walk rate. Among the Knights' returning hitters, infielder Braden Calise stands out, having hit above .300 last season. Another key returner is Andrew Sundean, who tallied 31 RBIs in just 33 starts.
UCF also boasts a strong incoming recruiting class, featuring several prospects rated 9+ by Perfect Game, adding depth and potential impact players to the roster. While most other returning players didn’t post standout numbers last season, the Knights didn’t rely solely on their offense, as their pitching staff played a significant role in their success.
The UCF pitching staff will look different in 2025 following some key departures. The rotation is now led by senior Dom Stagliano, who was a standout last season with a 1.02 WHIP and a .199 batting average against. However, Stagliano struggled with the long ball, surrendering 12 home runs across 16 appearances (14 starts) in 2024.
The bullpen, however, presents a major challenge for the Knights. They are losing three of their five most-used relievers from last season, including their most reliable arm, who made 34 appearances. Kris Sosnowski and Dominic Castellano will anchor the bullpen, but the Knights will need younger pitchers to step up and fill the gaps left by last year's departures.
Guys to look out for:
Andrew Estrella
Stephen Chucka
Alen Soler