California Baptist University
Abilene Christian University
BASE Preview: WAC Play Begins as CBU Ventures to Abilene
4/1/2026 1:35:00 PM | Baseball
RIVERSIDE--- Western Athletic Conference play has officially arrived, and the California Baptist baseball program enters its final season looking stronger than ever after an impressive non-conference start. Gary Adcock's squad has had the best start to a Division I season in CBU's history after sweeping St. John's University last weekend for a 24-5 record. The Lancers will kick off their conference slate against Abilene Christian, who enters the second half of the season 15-14 after taking the series versus McNeese State last weekend.
In addition to their 24 wins and minimal losses, CBU has made its way into the national statistical rankings as well. The Lancers sit at 17th in the NCAA and first in the WAC with a .321 team batting average, while also ranking 5th in the nation with a 3.06 staff ERA. Matt Silberman's staff is also averaging 11.9 strikeouts per nine innings, ranking fifth in the NCAA and first in the WAC. Individually, Cole Hansen is ranked 10th in the nation for his .439 batting average, and Michael Malki is ranked 9th for his 14.36 average of strikeouts per nine innings.
Hansen continues to be a problem for opponent pitching staffs, and this weekend in Texas will not be an exception. With his team-leading batting average, Hansen also owns a seven-game hitting streak and a 19-game reached base streak. The catcher was also recently named to the Buster Posey Award Mid-Season Watch List. After Hansen, four other Lancers own a batting average higher than .300, including Chris Ramirez. Ramirez owns a .368 batting average with 42 hits this season and three home runs with 11 doubles.
From the mound, CBU has found an ace in Bryan Peck as a graduate transfer. The right-handed pitcher enters the weekend with a 2.35 ERA and a perfect 4-0 pitching record. Peck has recorded 38 strikeouts this season and has an opponent batting average of .229. Not far behind is Michael Malki, a sophomore with a 2.59 ERA. Malki has been electric for the Lancers this season and leads the team with 50 strikeouts paired with an opponent batting average of .171.
Abilene Christian comes into WAC play in the middle of the pack in fourth place. The squad's most impressive win this season came versus Creighton during the 2026 College Baseball Series hosted at La Moderna Field. ACU holds series wins over Loyola Marymount, McNeese State, New Mexico, Oral Roberts, and St. Thomas. At the plate, Diego Cardenas leads the Wildcats with a .333 batting average with 39 hits and 14 home runs this season. Zandt Payne is also currently hitting .333 with a .579 on-base percentage and eight home runs.
As a team, ACU ranks fifth in the WAC in batting average at .277 and sixth in ERA at 6.42. Brett Lanman returns to Abilene for his junior season and leads the team in ERA at 3.68 despite owning a 1-3 pitching record. Lanman owns 44 strikeouts this season and an opponent batting average of .219, while ranking seventh individually in the WAC for his low ERA.
In addition to CBU and ACU battling this weekend, Tarleton State and UT Arlington will be just down the road as their WAC season begins. Sacramento State will take on Utah Tech this weekend, while Utah Valley has a bye week and will head to CSU Bakersfield. WAC Action for the Lancers can be streamed on ESPN+ beginning Thursday evening.
