Discover the Future Stars of UMD Baseball
Nikhil Kandi – Infielder
Nikhil Kandi, a native of Savage, Minn., was a two-time varsity captain for the Prior Lake High School Lakers. During his freshman year, he achieved an impressive batting average of.600 at second base, shortstop, and third base. He also played club ball for the Starters MN National team, where he maintained a career batting average of.386 and an OPS of.966. Kandi chose UMD due to its great campus, academics, and baseball culture. Meeting the coaches and players convinced him that this was the right place for him.
His skills and determination on the field are sure to make him a valuable asset to the UMD baseball team. With his experience and leadership, he will help lead the Bulldogs to success in the upcoming seasons.
Liam Kruse – Right Handed Pitcher / Outfielder
Liam Kruse, from Marshall, Minn., has been a standout on the mound for the Marshall High School Tigers. He closed out the 2024 season with an exceptional 0.54 ERA and received All Section and All Conference honors. In the classroom, he consistently placed in the top ten of his classes for grade point average, demonstrating his academic excellence.
The city of Duluth appealed to Kruse, as he believes he can make a significant impact on the team. He also likes the campus and is excited to be a part of the UMD baseball program.
Austin Lahti – Right Handed Pitcher
Austin Lahti, a native of Oulu, Wis., played club ball for the Superior Legion and was a part of the Northwestern HS Tigers. He earned All Conference honors and was a high honor roll student at Northwestern HS. Lahti's brother Cole plays for the UMD men's basketball team, adding to the family connection.
He chose UMD because of its great baseball program and tradition of quality baseball. Additionally, the university's top-notch Engineering Program was a major factor in his decision.
Ayden Lysaght – Left Handed Pitcher
Ayden Lysaght, while playing for the Elkhorn Area HS Elks, collected two no-hitters and multiple double-digit strike-out games. He currently leads his varsity team in strikeouts per innings pitched and is ranked among the top 20 of all left-handed pitchers in the 2025 class by PBR Wisconsin.
After meeting with the coaches and players, Lysaght chose UMD. He felt that this was a place where he could continue to grow as a student-athlete. The genuine information provided by the players about the baseball program and the school convinced him that UMD was the right fit.
Soren Marker – Catcher
Soren Marker, from Waconia, Minn., earned two All Conference honorable mentions during his time with the Waconia HS Wildcats. He was also successful in the classroom, earning academic honor roll honors four times. Marker chose UMD because he loved the campus and the weather.
His catching skills and academic achievements make him a well-rounded student-athlete. He will bring a unique perspective to the UMD baseball team.
Jack Meyers – Right Handed Pitcher
Jack Meyers played a crucial role in leading the Cannon Falls HS Bombers to a state tournament appearance in his sophomore year. He collected All Conference, All Section, and All State honors in both his sophomore and junior years. Throughout his high school career, he was elected to the Minnesota Academic Honor Society and was named to the academic honor roll in every semester.
Meyers chose UMD because of the people and coaches, as well as the location, top-tier business program, and facilities. He is excited to be a part of the UMD baseball family.
Brady Schornstein – Left Handed Pitcher
Brady Schornstein, a three-year varsity starter and a two-year captain for the Champlin Park High School Rebels, has already earned an All District honor and two All Conference honors. He has also excelled academically, being named to the Champlin Park HS honor roll with high honors and earning an academic letter.
The town, people, community, and athletics of Duluth felt like home to Schornstein. He loves the outdoors and the atmosphere of Duluth, and he is ready to contribute to the UMD baseball team.
Ryan Sheehan – Left Handed Pitcher
Ryan Sheehan recorded the lowest ERA and the highest batting average amongst his team while playing for the Bloomington Kennedy HS Eagles. Throughout his career, he collected All Conference, All Section, and Team MVP honors. He also excelled in the classroom, earning four academic letters.
For Sheehan, UMD was the perfect location. It was not too close or too far, and he was impressed by the nice coaches and the good engineering school. He is looking forward to joining the UMD baseball team.