OPINION|
Normally when you check out a baseball game, there’s a convenient portion of the home team’s lineup where a bathroom break or run for a hot dog and cold, frosty one makes sense.
The “trouble” with viewing this season’s Missouri State Bears is that its lineup demands attention every at-bat. These guys are simply must-see in the batter’s box. There’s no way to step away to score some popcorn because you might miss a 400-foot blast.
“Their No. 9 hitter (Gabe Roessler) was just named Conference USA Hitter of the Week,” former Bears coach and current Missouri State baseball radio network analyst Keith Guttin said. “The guy who’s leading off and hitting .391 (Logan Fyffe) and leading the league in hitting wasn’t playing in the beginning of the year.
“They have power and they have tough outs. From one-through-nine, there’s not an easy out.”
Guttin knows a bit about good hitting teams as he had many during his 42-seasons as the program’s head coach. He’s quick to point out his best lineup, the 1999 edition that had six players with double-digit home runs (Matt Cepicky 30, Jon Hale 25, Nick Kays 23, Ryan Howard 19, Brian Fuess 14 and Micah Holst 11).
Cepicky had arguably the greatest offensive season in school history with a .400 average, 30 home runs and 100 RBIs in leading the Bears to a 38-19 record and second place in the NCAA Fayetteville Regional.
“We led the nation with 144 home runs in 57 games with two future big-leaguers (Howard and Cepicky) in the lineup,” Guttin said.
Missouri State outfielder Taeg Gollert (23) swings at a pitch during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
But even Guttin tips his hat to the 2026 offense as perhaps being even better, due to its depth. The 2015 NCAA Springfield Regional champs, with a school-record 49 wins, also should be considered among the best.
“That offense in ’99, they were all contributors through the lineup but I don’t think you could look at guys hitting eight or nine doing what the guys this year are doing,” Guttin said. “The 2015 team, we had tough outs up and down the lineup. Guys were walking, they were getting hit by pitches, we hit singles, hit doubles. It was just a really hard team to pitch to. It was just quality at-bat after quality at-bat.”
The offense has carried this year’s team into serious discussions about postseason play entering the final five weekends of the regular season. This weekend’s home series against Western Kentucky will be another step in the process as the Bears (24-10 overall, second in Conference USA at 12-3) are a lofty 15th in the Ratings Percentage Index, a tool used to select NCAA Tournament at-large teams.
Unlike other sports, the NCAA baseball committee has traditionally leaned heavily on the RPI. The Bears have built theirs through a 15-0 home record, nine road wins and a rugged nonconference schedule. It also helps that CUSA is a serious baseball league, unlike their old home in the Missouri Valley Conference.
If Missouri State fails to win the CUSA Tournament next month at Kennesaw State, there will remain hope. Hawkins prefers to focus on the proverbial next game, but said he addresses the at-large chances with his team on occasion.
“I’m pretty black and white. It’s 2026,” Hawkins said. “They read everything on Twitter and Instagram and all that stuff and they can look at the RPI. I just say, ‘Look, you’ve earned this right to have these distractions – and they are distractions. But RPI doesn’t play the game for you against Western Kentucky tomorrow night.
“I’ve told them since we were at (Louisiana) opening weekend, every game is a postseason game if you want to be an at-large team. So we’ve been in this postseason mindset for a while, and it’s been a fun ride.”
And a hard-hitting ride which has seen the team overcome lengthy absences to starting middle infielders Jax Ryan and Bryce Cermenelli due to hand injuries. Both could return soon, which creates the pleasant problem of finding enough at-bats for everyone.
Fyffe, a sophomore revelation at shortstop, leads the team with 55 hits and has five of the Bears’ 70 home runs in 34 games. Roessler had nine hits and 11 RBIs in last weekend’s three-game series at Delaware. Like many in the lineup, those two are able to play multiple positions, which helps.
“We would not be in the position we are in without depth. It has been unbelievable,” Hawkins said. “It just speaks to the selflessness of this team. Some guys have had to wait their turn. Some guys have capitalized, some guys have been in and out of the lineup – but when you want to win, when your name’s called, you just compete for your team, compete for your guys, and that’s all that matters. This group’s done that.”
Center fielder Caden Bogenpohl, a projected first-rounder in this summer’s MLB draft, gets much of the attention. Opponents have walked him 39 times as he’s on pace to shatter the career record – but all that does is set it up for others – like catcher Carter Bergman (11 home runs) and third baseman Curry Sutherland (10 home runs, 35 RBIs) – to thrive with runners on base.
Photo slideshow: Missouri State head coach Joey Hawkins, center, watches a fly ball during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri’s Taylor Stadium during a game between Missouri State and Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State infielder Logan Fyffe (9) takes a pitch during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)Missouri State outfielder Taeg Gollert (23) swings at a pitch during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State infielder Logan Fyffe (9) leads off from second base during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State infielder Curry Sutherland (44) swings at a pitch during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State pitcher Tyler Charlton (36) pitches during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State pitcher Tyler Charlton (36) pitches during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State pitcher Tyler Charlton (36) pitches during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State catcher Carter Bergman (26) walks back to home plate after a mound visit during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State first baseman Bobby Atkinson (13) swings at a pitch during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State first baseman Bobby Atkinson (13) leads off from first base during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri infielder Kam Durnin (27) throws to first after forcing out Missouri State infielder Logan Fyffe (9), Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State middle infielder Gabe Roessler (5) throws to first during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State outfielder Taeg Gollert (23) fields a hit during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State middle infielder Gabe Roessler (5) fields a hit during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State first baseman Brant Kragel (35) swings at a pitch during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State middle infielder Gabe Roessler (5) swings at a pitch during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State pitcher Brock Lucas (25) pitches during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State pitcher Brock Lucas (25) pitches during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State infielder Curry Sutherland (44) pitches during a game against Missouri, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State outfielder Taeg Gollert (23) reacts after striking out to end the game, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 5-2. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Missouri State outfielder Taeg Gollert (23) leaves the field after striking out to end the game, Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Missouri won 5-2. (Photo by Michael Gulledge)
Everyone in the lineup shares a common approach that Hawkins has preached since becoming hitting coach in 2022 and taking over for Guttin in 2025.
Spy a fastball (or misplaced off-speed pitch) early in the count? Mash it.
“Our biggest thing is just with the first three pitches, we’re looking to get a good swing on and put a barrel on a ball,” Roessler said. “Those first three pitches, it’s kind of scientifically proven, you’re gonna get a good pitch to hit. Be ready.”
Ironically, Hawkins played on the great 2015 team, which included future first-round MLB draft choice and current Texas Rangers clean-up hitter Jake Burger – and he was not one who thrived on high exit velocity or power. He set a school-record for sacrifice bunts and was one of the great defenders in program history.
But after a couple of years coaching in professional baseball, Hawkins adapted to teaching the modern philosophy of hitting while combining it with his heady approach as a collegian.
“I played on the winningest team in school history here, and that offense was very team-oriented one through nine,” Hawkins said. “We didn’t hit a ton of homers. We didn’t slug a ton, but we knew how to have competitive at bats.
“So it all just goes back to just the simple philosophy and it comes down to the players executing it. And they’re elite at it. They’re really, really good.”
Meanwhile, the Bears’ pitching continues to be a work in progress. Freshman Ross Felder has settled into the Friday-night No. 1 starter’s role of late and the bullpen seems to be stabilizing a bit. Opening-day starter Michael Yusypchuk is battling some arm issues, but Hawkins said his UCL is sound and that is good news.
Having an offensive that averages 9.2 runs per game and a .979 OPS (on-base plus slugging average) certainly helps.
Missouri State baseball upcoming games
Friday – vs. Western Kentucky, 3 p.m.
Saturday – vs. Western Kentucky, 2 p.m.
Sunday – vs. Western Kentucky, 1 p.m.
Tuesday – at Arkansas, 6 p.m.
Lyndal Scranton is a Springfield native who has covered sports in the Ozarks for more than 35 years, witnessing nearly every big sports moment in the region during the last 50 years. The Missouri Sports Hall of Famer, Springfield Area Sports Hall of Famer and live-fire cooking enthusiast also serves as PR Director for Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, Missouri and is co-host of the Tailgate Guys BBQ Podcast. Contact him at Lscranton755@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @LyndalScranton. More by Lyndal Scranton