Ohio State Baseball Aims for Comeback with New Roster

Head Coach Justin Haire optimistic about team's future after challenging 13-37 season

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Ohio State baseball team is looking to bounce back from a difficult 2025 season, finishing with a 13-37 record. Head Coach Justin Haire, in his second year, is optimistic about the team's future, highlighting the 23 new players - 7 freshmen, 16 transfers, and 12 returners - who are ready to embrace challenges and leave a legacy by getting the program back on track.

Why it matters

Ohio State baseball has struggled in recent years, and the new-look roster represents an opportunity for the program to rebound and regain its competitiveness in the Big Ten. The team's willingness to take on challenges and build a lasting legacy could inspire the fanbase and signal a turnaround for the Buckeyes.

The details

Head Coach Justin Haire praised the team's shared goals and readiness to embrace challenges, saying "They've never shied away from a challenge. If anything, they've jumped in, you know, both feet all into the deep end." Among the transfers ready to contribute is Henry Kaczmar, who returns to Ohio State after a stint at South Carolina, expressing confidence in the team's potential to surprise many this season.

  • The Buckeyes will open their season on Friday, February 14, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET against Saint Louis University at Blue Wahoo's Stadium in Pensacola, Florida.

The players

Justin Haire

Head Coach of the Ohio State baseball team, in his second year leading the program.

Henry Kaczmar

A transfer player returning to Ohio State after a stint at South Carolina, ready to contribute to the team's turnaround efforts.

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What they’re saying

“It's probably been one of the best groups of guys”

— Justin Haire, Head Coach (abc6onyourside.com)

“They've never shied away from a challenge. If anything, they've jumped in, you know, both feet all into the deep end. They want to stamp a legacy for this program as the group that gets it turned around and gets it back going in the right direction.”

— Justin Haire, Head Coach (abc6onyourside.com)

“This is the place to be. We have a new group, a big group coming in who's just ready to compete.”

— Henry Kaczmar (abc6onyourside.com)

What’s next

The Buckeyes will open their season against Saint Louis University at Blue Wahoo's Stadium in Pensacola, Fla., with the first game on Friday, February 14, 2026 at 3 p.m. ET.

The takeaway

Ohio State's baseball program is poised for a potential turnaround, with a new-look roster of 23 players, including 16 transfers and 7 freshmen, who are ready to embrace challenges and leave a lasting legacy by helping the team regain its competitiveness in the Big Ten conference.