

![]()








MERCH MONDAYS: Get 25% off the entire team store every Monday.
TRIVIA TUESDAY: Enjoy discounted Carbliss and interactive trivia and win prizes, thanks to Carbliss.
WILDCARD WEDNESDAY: Join us for X’sthemed Bingo, where fans can play along, cheer loud, and score awesome prizes all night long.
WEENIE WEDNESDAY: Enjoy $2 dollar hot dogs!
BARK IN THE PARK: Bring your furry friend with you to every Wednesday!
TASTY THURSDAY: Happy hour food specials before first pitch, $5 tickets for college students, $2 select 12oz beers, and $2 Pepsi products, thanks to Pub52.
FREE T-SHIRT FRIDAY: Thanks to Absolute Screen Art, your favorite X’s player t-shirt will be tossed into the crowd! Stick around and get that players autograph.
FRIDAY NIGHT STEALS: Game-day deals and exclusive savings that will make select Friday nights at the ballpark even more exciting on June 26 & July 24.
SOUVENIR SATURDAY: First 500 fans through the gate will receive a FREE giveaway item. (Excludes July 4th/August 29th)
MILITARY SUNDAY: All Military Personal can buy one ticket and get a second one FREE with valid ID, thanks to Liberty National Bank.
SUNDAY FUNDAY: After the game, kids can run the bases.
ICE CREAM SUNDAYS: First 500 fans receive a voucher for a FREE Sweets & Treats item from Long John Silver’s and A&W on top of enjoying our ice cream specialty of the day at our concessions!
PILOT ROCK GRILL GIVEAWAY: Every Sunday Pilot Rock will giveaway a FREE grill to one lucky fan!
MAY
Fri 22 Opening Night! 2026 Magnet Schedule Giveaway
Sat 23 Camo T-Shirt Hoodie Giveaway – Farm Bureau Financial Services – Brandon Dicks Agency
Mon 25Memorial Day – Thanks to Farm Bureau Financial Services – Brandon Dicks Agency all Military Personnel (Active or Retired) get in for FREE!
JUNE
Tue 9 Pack the Park Night – Powell Broadcasting
Sat 13 Steel Tumbler Giveaway – Bomgaars
Sun 14 3rd Annual Faith & Family Day
Fri 26 BOGO Friday – Buy One/Get One FREE on select concession items
Sat 27 3rd Annual AG Night & Jersey Auction – CF Industries AND Drawstring Bag Giveaway – Ziegler Cat PLUS a post game concert by Dane Louis
JULY
Fri 3 America’s 250th Anniversary Weekend AND Fireworks – Lantis Fireworks
Sat 4 America’s 250th Anniversary Weekend & Jersey Auction PLUS
Fireworks – Lantis Fireworks
Sat 11 Pickleball Paddle Giveaway – Pepsi Cola of Siouxland
Fri 24 Score Some Cash – Every time the X’s score a run 1 lucky fan will receive $100 in CASH!
Sat 25 Star Wars Night & Jersey Auction Benefiting the Miracle League of Sioux City AND Team Photo Giveaway & Autograph Session PLUS a post game concert by Morgan Higman
Wed 5 Celebrate Reading
Sat 8 Bobble Logo Giveaway – VT Industries
Sun 9 Local Heroes/First Responders Night
Wed 19 All Abilities Night – Wheelchair Dynamics
Fri 21 ZOOperstars PLUS Kids 12 & Under get in for FREE!
Sat 22 Battle of the Borders Night AND Split IA/NE Jersey Giveaway – Scheels
Sat 29 Harley-Davidson Night & Jersey Auction – Roosters Harley-Davidson PLUS Fireworks
28-30 Fan Appreciation Weekend

TRAVIS LEE Vice President General Manager

Dan Vaughan Director, Media Relations & Broadcasting

Emily Trucke Director of Marketing & Sales

Justin Malenosky Head Groundskeeper

Emma DeStigter Manager of Ticket and Group Sales
Seth Hodgins Ethan Burge Grounds Crew
John Witt Clubhouse Manager
Easton Hodgins Asst. Clubhouse Manager
Andrew Della Piana Media Assistant

Jessica Hutchinson Director of Food and Beverage
2026 Interns
Cameron Goochey
Josh Olesen
Gavin Bunce
Valeria Viroomal









SIOUX FALLS CANARIES
SIOUX FALLS, SD FARGO-MOORHEAD REDHAWKS FARGO, ND WINNIPEG GOLDEYES WINNIPEG, MB
SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS SIOUX CITY, IA
KANSAS CITY MONARCHS KANSAS CITY, KS LINCOLN SALTDOGS LINCOLN, NE
FM - FARGO-MOORHEAD REDHAWKS
KC - KANSAS CITY MONARCHS
LIN - LINCOLN SALTDOGS
SC - SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS
SF - SIOUX FALLS CANARIES
WIN - WINNIPEG GOLDEYES
CHICAGO DOGS CHICAGO, IL
GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS GARY, IN MILWAUKEE MILKMEN FRANKLIN, WI LAKE COUNTRY DOCKHOUNDS OCONOMOWOC, WI
CLEBURNE RAILROADERS CLEBURNE, TX KANE COUNTY COUGARS GENEVA, IL
CHI - CHICAGO DOGS



CLE - CLEBURNE RAILROADERS
GAR - GARY SOUTHSHORE RAILCATS
KCO - KANE COUNTY COUGARS
LC - LAKE COUNTRY HOUNDS
MKE - MILWAUKEE MILKMEN
FRIDAY, JULY 24 - 6:35PM FREE SHIRT FRIDAY
PRESENTED BY ABSOLUTE SCREEN ART PLUS FRIDAY NIGHT STEALS EVERY TIME THE X'S CROSS THE PLATE, ONE LUCKY FAN WILL WIN $100 IN CASH. THE MORE RUNS WE SCORE, THE MORE CHANCES TO WIN!
SATURDAY, JULY 25 - 6:05PM STAR WARS NIGHT & JERSEY AUCTION PLUS POSTGAME CONCERT BY MORGAN HIGMAN AND TEAM PHOTO GIVEAWAY
SUNDAY, JULY 26 - 4:05PM SUNDAY FUNDAY
RECEIVE A FREE VOUCHER FOR A SWEET TREAT AT A&W PLUS, ENJOY SPECIALS ON ICE CREAM AT X'S CONCESSIONS THROUGHOUT THE GAME! PLUS MILITARY SUNDAYS ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL CAN BUY ONE TICKET TO THE GAME AND GET ONE FREE! PRESENTED BY LIBERTY NATIONAL BANK AND PILOT ROCK GRILL GIVEAWAY ONE LUCKY FAN WILL WALK AWAY WITH A FREE GRILL THANKS TO PILOT ROCK!







Leave the planning to us! let us host your group for an allinclusive night at the ballpark on the Party Deck!
Located down the left field line, the Party Deck is a great place for company gatherings, team parties, family celebrations or just a night out with friends. With space to host groups of 25 – 500, let us provide the perfect event for you!
For just $24 per person you will enjoy:
• Ticket to the ballgame (Option to sit on the deck or in Reserve Section A)
• 90 minute all you can eat baseball themed menu*
• Group welcome on the video board
Party Deck Menu includes:
• Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Tiefenthaler Brats
• Plus Baked Beans, Potato Chips, Cookies and Pepsi Products
• Alcohol can be purchased in advance, if desired
*Food service starts 30 minutes prior to first pitch
Lewis and Clark Park is a cashless facility (only credit and debit cards are accepted). This includes at the Box Office, the Team Store, all Concession Stands, and all Food & Beverage portable carts.
Gates to Lewis and Clark Park open 1 hour prior to game time. This is subject to change for special events.
Lewis and Clark Park is equipped with handicap and companion seating in the seating bowl just below sections D-H. If you need any special assistance, please let us accommodate any needs you may have.
Please be alert for foul balls and other “debris” that may come into the seating area from the playing field. All fans are subject to the possibility of being hit by a flying object from the field.
Radios (if they are small “Walkman” type of radio), cameras and video recorders are permitted at Lewis and Clark Park. Fans may not reproduce or rebroadcast any film or videotape shot at Lewis and Clark Park for any commercial use without the permission of the Sioux City Explorers.
Fans are not allowed to enter the stadium with food, beverages or other containers such as picnic baskets, coolers or ice chests. No glass bottles or cans are allowed. Clear, empty, plastic bottles are allowed and may be filled at designated drinking fountains.
While at Lewis and Clark Park, we want everyone to have a great time every time they come to the ballpark. Fans using loud, obscene or abusive language or engaging in any other conduct detrimental to the social environment of enjoying a public event will be asked to cease their conduct, and may be subject to ejection from the stadium. No alcohol or illegal drugs may be brought into Lewis and Clark Park. Fans breaking local laws are subject to ejection from the ballpark and criminal prosecution. For your safety and the safety of others, please refrain from throwing objects onto the playing field. Fans doing so are subject to ejection from the ballpark.
Anyone trespassing on the playing field will be ejected and subject to arrest and prosecution in accordance with local law.
Tickets must not be resold or offered for resale in a manner or at a price in violation of any Federal, State or Local law or regulation.
The peddling, vending or distribution of merchandise at Lewis and Clark Park is not allowed. The Sioux City Explorers must grant permission for these activities.
Fans needing to leave Lewis and Clark Park can reenter through the same gate they arrived in or 3rd base gate one hour after first pitch.
All home and road games will be broadcast live on KSCJ 94.9 FM and 1360 AM.
Public restrooms are located on the concourse level and are handicap accessible.
Iowa law provides that you must be 21 years of age to purchase and/or consume alcoholic beverages. Upon request, each customer may be asked to present valid identification at the time of purchase. The Sioux City Explorers reserve the right to refuse service to any fan. Please drink responsibly. For any fans that may be in need of transportation service, please visit “guest services” located inside the Explorers team store located in the silver building located behind Homeplate! Alcohol sales will cease with the first pitch at the end of the eighth (8th) inning.
If you lose or find any items while at Lewis and Clark Park, please report to the Explorers team store located in the silver building behind Homeplate.
Lewis and Clark Park implements a clear bag policy for all sporting and outside events, including Explorers games. Fans are encouraged to bring only necessary items into Lewis and Clark Park in a clear plastic bag.
Permitted with Inspection
• Clear Plastic Bag (12" x 6" x 12")
• Small Clutch Bag (4.5" x 6.5")
• 1 Gallon Clear Plastic Freezer Bag
• Blankets (Carried in on the shoulder)
• Small Camera w/out case
• Binoculars w/out case
• Hand-Held Radios & TVs
• Infant Feeding Supplies
• Empty Plastic Water Bottle
• Seat Cushion (No larger than 16" x 16", no arms, no zippers)
Prohibited Items
• Purses
• Backpacks
• Clear Backpacks
• Tinted Plastic Bags
• Printed Pattern Plastic Bags
• Oversized Tote Bags
• Mesh Bags
• Diaper Bags
• Camera/Binocular Cases
• Fanny Packs
• Umbrellas
• Lawn Chairs
Foul balls may be returned to the concessions stand to be exchanged for a FREE DQ cup of ice cream!
For any “guest services” issues or concerns, we ask fans to visit the Explorers team store located in the silver building located behind Homeplate!

There’s no better atmosphere to enjoy a group outing than with your Explorers at Lewis & Clark Park!
Treat your group of 20 or more to some of the most unique and exciting event opportunities in the Siouxland area. Whether it be a company picnic, youth sports team, church get together, or simply a group of family and friends, let us know how many and we will take care of the rest.
• Per ticket discount for each member of your group based on the size of your group (the more you bring, the more you SAVE, minimum of 20 required).
• Recognition over the PA System.
• Opportunity to participate in various pre-game and in-game activities (first pitch, national anthem, baseball buddies, mid-inning promotions).
• Opportunity to purchase X’s Bucks for all members of your group (prepaid vouchers available in $1 & $5 increments that may be used at the concession stand or team shop)
• No waiting in ticket lines!


The Sioux City Explorers began July with a celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday. The Siouxland tradition of fireworks at Lewis and Clark Park gave fans a show that will be special memory for years to come. The fuse would be lit and then the burst went through the Iowa night with the raining show of lights in the sky finishing off each kaboom. What followed on the field, however, might be considered a dud after the fuse was lit. Sioux Falls swept the Explorers, but Sioux City fought back and won the last two series at home before the break over Fargo-Moorhead and Lincoln.
The momentum was short lived, however; coming out of the all-star break, Cleburne swept the X’s in three down in Texas. Then again, the Explorers found a way to light the fuse, winning their last series in Lincoln. Through the ups and downs, they find themselves right in the thick of the playoff race as the dog days lurk around the corner.
For the Explorers to stay in the hunt and seize a playoff spot, they will need to light the fuse against Kansas City this weekend then carry that show on the road again for six straight to take them into August. The Explorers will need plenty of fireworks on the field, and while the show has been hit or miss, the signs and history point to a spectacular finish and another playoff spot for Sioux City.


The show must include lefty and rookie Josh Landry. He has been one of the American Association’s best arms this last month. The Huntington Beach, California native has gone at least six innings in seven straight starts and added 40 strikeouts in 50.2 innings and has an 3.04 ERA over that span. Landry has tossed six innings with three earned runs or fewer four times in 10 starts, and he has yet to allow more than four in a start this season. He is giving the team solid innings. He has allowed four runs on two occasions where he went eight innings and four in two other outings when he worked into the seventh inning, hurling 6.2 innings twice. The on-field spectacular picked up a big boost last Tuesday night in Lincoln. Right-hander Jarod Wright made one appearance out of the X’s pen but got moved to the rotation for the series opener at Haymarket Park. He lit up the night, holding the Saltdogs to no hits through five innings, and he would leave after allowing just one hit in six frames with four strikeouts. The Memphis, Tennessee native tossed a quality start, and he goes into the rotation that already has a pair of all-stars in Zach Willeman and Peniel Otano. Wright pitched parts of four seasons in the Chicago Cubs system and pitched at the University of Southern Mississippi. The team also moved strike-throwingmachine Nathan Mertens into the rotation. Mertens has walked just three batters in 26.1 innings. Mertens is a true rookie, but he has pitched like a fearless veteran. He spent the college season at Southeastern Missouri where he led the nation in fewest walks per nine innings. That five-man rotation has the makings of one solid sparkler show on the mound.
Another part of the X’s winning on-field fireworks is that the offense is starting to show some of the early season longball potential. Sioux City launched eight home runs over the first five games out of the all-star break. Henry George, Zac Vooletich and Braulio Vasquez are all top five in the loop in hits. D’Shawn Knowles has been the MVP of the league since he joined the club off the visa restricted list. In 22 games, the native of the Bahamas is hitting .333 with three home runs and 17 RBI. He has a .404 on-base percentage, and when he is on base, look out for the light and smoke trail that shoots up from the sky! It isn’t a firework rocket but the jets of Knowles racing for another stolen base. Knowles has 14 stolen bases in just 22 games. The switch-hitter was a huge addition in late July of 2024 and helped push the Explorers forward to the post season. He did it again late last season, and with clutch RBI like the back-to-back nights he had in Lincoln—where he hit a two-run blast to put the X’s in front in game one and his ninth-inning gametying RBI single in game two—shows that Knowles is poised for a differencemaking August once again.
For the fireworks show on the field to really light up the league, there may be the need to find another Knowles. Manager Steve Montgomery and his staff are never far away from the phone as they look for talent all over the globe. The Major League draft is also behind us, and there may be another gem that was passed over in the MLB draft that finds their way to Siouxland. Iowa native and former West Virginia Mountaineer Brodie Kresser could be just the final piece of the fireworks show for the Explorers. Kresser from Jesup, Iowa was last seen down in Omaha
at the college World Series. He went 2-for-4 and caught the final out in West Virginia’s June 12 win over Troy. In 56 games the Big 12 All-Academic Team member hit .295 with two home runs and 34 RBI. Kresser played 84 games in his college career at shortstop but can also play second base and play the outfield if needed.
The speed on the base paths may be the last piece to the entire show that helps lead to the grand finale. Sioux City has 60 stolen bases on the road, more than Kansas City, Chicago and Gary South Shore have total for the season. The X’s have more stolen bases at home than 10 of the 11 teams in the American Association have this season. That total places Sioux City third in the league behind Cleburne. Austin Davis and Zac Vooletich moved into fourth all-time in club history earlier this week in stolen bases, and the team is on pace to break their own team and league record for the second straight season.
July has been a boom-and-bust month so far for the Explorers. The road to put it all together is right in front of them. The dog days await, and to get back into the playoff pack, the fireworks of July include one last show, this time on the field this weekend at Lewis and Clark Park as Kansas City is in town for three games. The month began with a celebration, and the month winds down with another. The Explorers became the first team in the American Association to reach 1000 wins on July 22 in a 9-6 comeback win in Lincoln.


Steve Montgomery (widely known as “Mongo”) will mark his 12th season with the Explorers in 2026. He is the winningest manager in franchise history and has led the club to the playoffs in eight of his first 11 seasons, including finals appearances in 2015 and 2019. Known for building teams around strong pitching and speed, Montgomery consistently keeps the Explorers in the playoff mix while fielding some of the most exciting rosters in the American Association.
The 2025 season followed that trend, as Sioux City finished with the league’s best record at 64-36, ending the year 28 games above .500. The team also led the league in stolen bases for the second straight season with 275, setting a new American Association single-season record and surpassing the club mark set in 2024. Montgomery’s teams have a reputation for finishing strong, and 2025 was no exception. The Explorers went 35-18 over the final two months, continuing a trend of success down the stretch. Since 2018, the club has posted five winning Augusts and holds a 94-71 record in the season’s final month over the last six years. Under Montgomery, the team owns a .570 winning percentage and has consistently performed when it matters most.
Entering 2026, Montgomery holds a 617-482 (.561) regular-season record. He became the winningest manager in team history on July 22, 2022, earning his 427th win to surpass Ed Nottle. He later reached the 600-win milestone in dramatic fashion with a comeback extra-inning victory over Kansas City.
The 2025 campaign marked his seventh winning season and the seventh time his team has reached at least 50 wins. His 2015 club set a franchise record with 75 victories and is one of three teams under his leadership to lead the league in wins. He also reached the 500-win milestone in Siouxland on May 27, 2023.
Montgomery began his coaching career in 2004 with the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and also served as pitching coach at North Dakota State from 2005-2009. During his time with Fargo-Moorhead, the club posted a 590-383 record. As a player, he spent nine seasons in professional baseball within the Orioles, Royals, Dodgers, and Red Sox organizations, reaching Triple-A, and also competed in independent leagues. He was part of the 1996 Australian Baseball League champion Perth Heat.
A native of Ohio, Montgomery resides in Sioux City and remains active in the community. He frequently participates in local events and youth baseball clinics and is a regular at Sioux City Musketeers games.

Bobby Post is a familiar face at Lewis and Clark Park as he enters his 18th season coaching for the Explorers. A native of Victorville, California, Post has worked alongside Manager Steve Montgomery for the last 11 years in Sioux City. Under Post’s guidance, the Explorers are year-in and year-out one of the top pitching staffs in the American Association with a reputation of turning players careers around and getting them back into affiliated ball. In the last seven seasons, the X’s pitching staff has finished fourth lowest or better in five of seven seasons.
The 2025 season was another textbook example of the value Post brings to the organization as the team’s Pitching Coach. Last season Sioux City finished with the second lowest ERA in the league with a 3.94 and notched the second most strikeouts in the circuit with 908. Overall Sioux City held opponents to a .238 average against, the second lowest in the American Association, and the lowest in the last eight seasons for the club. Under Post the 2025 season starting staff finished with a 4.19 ERA with 552 strikeouts in 552.0 innings. The starters boasted 42 quality starts for the season through 100 games. Post helped shape an outstanding pen with All-Star Felix Cepeda matching an organizational high of 24 saves during the season. Kyle Marman also set a new single-season strikeout mark with 140 in 2025.
Post is also a former Explorer, having pitched for the team two seasons as part of a five-year career where he posted a 35-19 record with a 4.85 ERA between Sioux Falls and Sioux City in the Northern League. He pitched his first two seasons for the Canaries in 1995 and 1996, leading the team with 10 wins and 120.2 innings during his second season. Post then moved down the interstate to Sioux City for three seasons from 1997 to 1999. He would lead the team in innings pitched in 1997 and was second on the club in innings in 1998. Post is fifth all-time in innings pitched for the X’s with 318.2 innings, and his 51 starts is fourth overall in franchise history. Post’s 22 starts in 1998 still ranks first all-time in organizational history.
Post played collegiately at Cerritos Junior College before pitching at the University of Nevada. He was 18-5 with Nevada in his career. Post can be heard on each Sunday broadcast of Explorers games in the “Sundays with Bobby” segment with Dan Vaughan Jr on the X’s pregame show.



Rafael Melchione returns to Sioux City in 2026 for his second season with the Explorers. In 2025 Melchione oversaw an offense that improved all season long and finished fourth in the American Association with a .257 batting average and third in runs scored at 516. The X’s also ranked near the top of the league in on-base percentage, finishing fourth in the league with a .343 mark.
Melchione is no stranger to Sioux City. He served as hitting coach for the 2009 Explorers under Manager Les Lancaster. Melchione returned to Sioux City last season after spending two seasons as co-hitting coach of the Rocky Mountain Vibes in the Pioneer League on former Sioux City Explorers Manager Les Lancaster’s staff. Under Melchione the Vibes finished second as a team in average (.319) and third in on-base percentage (.409) in the Pioneer League. The Vibes also finished third in hits (1067) and runs (755) in the 12-team league for the 2024 season. Melchione was on the coaching staff in 2023 when the Vibes made the playoffs and finished second in runs scored (816) and second in runs batted in (754) in for the season. Under Melchione, the Vibes saw increases in runs, hits, home runs and walks. He also coached the Pioneer League’s 2023 batting average champion, Jake McMurray.
Melchione has been a scout for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim since 2022, assigned to partner and independent leagues. He scouted for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2017 to 2021, including being a part of the Rays ALCS Championship while with the organization in 2020. Prior to his time with Tampa, he had his first stint with the Angels from 2007 to 2017 as a professional scout.
The native of New Jersey spent 2012 and 2013 with the Florence Freedom in the Frontier League, coaching two division championship teams that made back-toback runner up appearances for the league title. Melchione worked with the Angels catchers as the club’s catching instructor from 2007 to 2009 and spent two seasons in the Golden League in 2005 and 2006. In his career, Melchione has helped coach teams to one league title and four championship series and five more playoff appearances. As a player, Melchione played in Puerto Rico from 1997 to 2001 both in the summer and winter. He was invited to two Major League camps—the first in 1999 with the Oakland A’s and the second in 2001 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Melchione played in eight games in the Prairie League between Green Bay and Brandon Gray in 1996 and three more in Abilene in the Texas-Louisiana League in 1999. He makes his home in the Phoenix area and owns a training center in the area.

Landen Barns returns to Sioux City as Assistant Hitting and Bullpen Coach in 2026. Barnes spent last season in two roles for the Explorers. He signed on June 12, 2025, and served as a backup catcher and would eventually be added to the coaching staff as bullpen coach following his release on August 22.
Barns played in part of five professional seasons, including his final stop as a player in Sioux City. The native of Texas spent the 2024 and 2023 campaign in the Pioneer League with the Ogden Raptors, and he also made a one-game appearance with the Tri-City Valley Cats of the Frontier League.
Following a year away from the game in 2021, Barns returned to pro ball by signing with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League. Barns began his pro career in 2020 with the Westside Woolly Mammoths of the United Shore League.
At the collegiate level, Barns played for East Texas Baptist University in NCAA Division III’s American Southwest Conference. He was a three-year starter for the Tigers, appearing in 129 games and hitting .309 with 12 home runs and 85 RBI over his career.
A native of Cypress, Texas, Barns attended Rosehill Christian High School where he lettered in both baseball and football. He comes from a strong baseball lineage—his father Jeff played collegiately for South Carolina from 1985–87 and spent a decade playing and coaching in the Angels, Athletics, and Royals organizations.

Glavine Matthes is in his first season as an assistant coach with the Explorers. Matthes spent last season as a Graduate Assistant Coach with Briar Cliff University. He spent 2023 to 2025 as an Assistant Coach at New College of Florida located in Sarasota, Florida. He was an assistant in Baseball Operations in 2024-2025 and an assistant coach in 2023-2024. Matthes also has spent time with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. From 2022 to 2025 he served as a visiting clubhouse assistant with Milwaukee. Matthes played collegiately at Wisconsin Luthern College from 2020 to 2023. He pitched 47 games over four seasons all but one in relief. He is a native of Appleton, Wisconsin and attended Appleton North High School. Matthes is a 2023 graduate of Wisconsin Luthern earning his degree in Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.


Bruce Fishbach, the 2025 American Association Trainer of the year, will return for his eighth season as the Head Athletic Trainer for the X’s during the 2026 season. Fishbach, a certified athletic trainer, served as Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at the University of South Dakota from 1987 until he became Director Emeritus in 2021. He also served 34 seasons with the South Dakota Coyotes before retiring in the summer of 2021. As the Head Trainer for the USD Men’s basketball team, he led a staff of nine certified trainers.
Since 1984, Fischbach’s services have been utilized at a wide variety of athletic events. He has worked as a special-events athletic trainer at the College World Series, the NCAA Division II Indoor National Track Meet, the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, the Orange Bowl, and the South Dakota High School Football Championships. He is currently the head trainer for the U23 Team USA Wheelchair Basketball Team and is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Fischbach was inducted into the South Dakota Athletic Trainers’ Association’s Hall of Fame in June of 2014. He has served as president, vice president and secretary/treasurer for the SDATA and has been on the Mid American Athletic Trainers’ Association’s board of directors. Over the years, he has continually advocated for the athletic training profession. Prior to his arrival at USD, Fischbach was a trainer for the Kinston Eagles, formerly of the Carolina League. While a student at the University of Nebraska, he worked as a student trainer for the Cornhuskers. Fischbach received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1984 from Nebraska, and in 1991 he obtained his master of sport science degree from the United States Sports Academy. He and his wife Kelly have three children: Ryun, Kylie, and Dylan. Fishback resides in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Assistant Athletic Trainer

Payton Monroe, a native of Sioux City, Iowa will serve as the Explorers Assistant Athletic Trainer in 2026. Monroe is a graduate of Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska. She currently studies at the University of Nebraska, Omaha to attain a Masters in Athletic Training. Monroe is an avid fan of watching sports, specifically softball, baseball and football. She enjoys reading and values her time hanging out with friends and family. Monroe graduated from Sioux City West High School.




# PITCHERS
3 Ryan Beaird R/R 5-11 185 2002-09-09 San Antonio, TX Tarleton State/UTSA
35 Anderson Bido R/R 6-3 205 5/7/99
Las Matas de Farfan, D.R. N/A
5 Kelvin Cáceres R/R 6-1 205 2000-12-26 Santiago, D.R.
36 Nate Gercken R/R 6-7 240 1992-11-04
Pinole, CA Academy of Art University (CA)
16 Garrett Hicks R/R 6-1 217 2003-09-25 Buckeye, AZ Pima CC/University of Arizona
34 Rob Hughes R/R 6-2 235 2001-01-07 Rock Hill, SC Furman/Clemson University
21 Joshua Landry R/R 6-6 200 2000-05-04 Huntington Beach, CA Cypress College, Hope International
22 Nathan Mertens R/R 6-3 200 2003-07-03 La Cañada, CA Southeast Missouri State
26 Trey Morrill R/R 6-7 250 1999-11-11
7 Peniel Otaño R/R 6-4 220 2000-10-07
12 McGwire Taylor L/L 6-0 190 8/15/04
11 Tahnaj Thomas R/R 6-4 217 1999-06-16
Loma, CO Yavapai College
Sabana Grande de Palenque, D.R.
Fairfield, IL Wabash Valley/Tennessee Wesleyan
Freeport, Bahamas
23 Zach Willeman R/R 6-2 215 1996-03-27 Napoleon, OH Kent State University
30 Jerrod Wright R/R 6-3 205 12/15/96
Memphis, TN Northwest Mississippi CC/University
# CATCHERS B/T HT WT D.O.B. HOMETOWN COLLEGE
10 Cade Marquardt R/R 6-0 195 2001-11-14 Litchfield, MN Briar Cliff
15 Dillon Tatum R/R 6-1 220 2000-05-24 Stockton, CA UC-Irvine
# INFIELDERS B/T HT WT D.O.B. HOMETOWN COLLEGE
44 Zane Denton S/R 6-1 215 2001-02-20
Brentwood, TN
University of Tennessee/University
4 Brodie Kresser R/R 6-1 180 2002-07-11 Jessup, IA Des Moines CC/ University of West
24 Alberto Osuna R/R 6-1 220 2001-01-12
Greenville, SC
University of North Carolina/University
33 Jackson Van De Brake R/R 6-1 202 2002-04-08 Yakima, WA Tacoma CC/University of North Carolina
17 Braulio Vasquez S/R 6-0 210 1999-04-13 Santo Domingo, D.R.
# OUTFIELDERS B/T HT WT D.O.B. HOMETOWN COLLEGE
1 Austin Davis R/R 5-10 180 1999-08-27 Orlando, FL
Texas Christian University/West Virginia
6 Henry George L/L 5-10 190 1998-12-05 Woodbury, MN Minnesota-Duluth/South Dakota State
8 D’Shawn Knowles S/R 5-10 181 2001-01-16
Nassau, Bahamas N/A
2 Zac Vooletich R/R 5-10 190 1999-11-09 Houston, TX Texas Tech University
INJURED LIST
18 Jasseel De La Cruz R/R 6-1 195 1997-06-26 Hato Mayor del Ray, D.R.
INACTIVE LIST
Warming Bernabel R/R 6-1 180 2002-06-06 Bani, D.R.
Hunter Cashero R/R 6-0 205 2000-08-01 Shawnee, KS Kansas City CC/University of Kansas/Ave
VISA RESERVED LIST
Yeison Asencio R/R 6-1 225 1989-11-14
Wilfredo Gimenez R/R 5-11 240 1990-12-18
Yorman Rodriguez R/R 5-8 160 1997-07-23
Santo Domingo, D.R.
Maracay, Venezuela
Maracay, Venezuela
Luis Toribio L/R 6-1 185 2000-09-28 San Francisco de Macoris, D.R.
PRONUNCIATIONS
Beaird - Beard; Marquardt - mar-quart Melchione - Mel-Chee-on; Peniel Otano - Pen-yell Oh-tan-yo; Tahnaj - tah-naw-jeh; Vooletich
FIELD STAFF
55 Manager: Steve Montgomery
25 Hitting Coach: Rafael Melchione
40 Pitching Coach: Bobby Post
47 Assistant Hitting & Bullpen Coach: Landen Barns
45 Assistant Coach Glavin Matthes
Athletic Trainer: Bruce Fischbach
Assistant Athletic Trainer: Payton Monroe
Clubhouse Manager: John Witt


RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’3 WT: 205
BORN: 5/7/99
HOME: Las Matas de Farfan, D.R. 2025 CLUB: Corpus Christi/Sugarland

JASSEEL DE LA CRUZ 18
RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’1 WT: 195
BORN: 6/26/97 AGE: 28
HOME: Hato Mayor del Rey, D.R. 2025 CLUB: Escogido (DR Winter)


RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 5’11 WT: 185
BORN: 9/9/02
HOME: Indianapolis, Indiana 2025 CLUB: Tarleton St./Sioux City

RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’1 WT: 205
BORN: 2/8/99 AGE: 27
HOME: Santiago, D.R. 2025 CLUB: Rocket City

B/T: R/R HT: 5’10 WT: 180
BORN: 8/27/99
WARMING BERNABEL
INFIELDER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’1 WT: 180
BORN: 6/6/02
HOME: Bani, D.R. 2025 CLUB: Albuquerque/Colorado

HUNTER CASHERO
INFIELDER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’0 WT: 205
BORN: 8/1/00
HOME: Shawnee, Kansas 2025 CLUB: Maria University

INFIELDER
B/T: S/R HT: 6’1 WT: 215
BORN: 2/20/01
HOME: Brentwood, Tennessee 2025 CLUB: Yuba-Sutter (Pioneer) AUSTIN DAVIS
HOME: Orlando, Florida 2025 CLUB: Sioux City



HENRY GEORGE 6 OUTFIELDER
B/T: L/L HT: 5’10 WT: 190
BORN: 12/5/98
HOME: Woodbury, Minnesota 2025 CLUB: Sioux City

ROB HUGHES 34
RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’2 WT: 235
BORN: 1/7/01
HOME: Gastonia, North Carolina
2025 CLUB: Idaho Falls

JOSHUA LANDRY 21
RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’6 WT: 200
BORN: 5/4/00
HOME: Huntington Beach, California
2025 CLUB: Hope International

36
RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’7 WT: 240
BORN: 11/4/92
HOME: Pinole, California 2025 CLUB: Sioux City

D’SHAWN KNOWLES 8 OUTFIELDER
B/T: S/R HT: 5’10 WT: 181
BORN: 1/16/01 AGE: 25
HOME: Nassau, Bahamas 2025 CLUB: Sioux City

RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’3 WT: 200
BORN: 7/3/03
HOME: La Cañada, CA
2025 CLUB: Southeast Missouri
GARRETT HICKS 16
RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’1 WT: 217
BORN: 9/25/03
HOME: Buckeye, AZ 2025 CLUB: University of Arizona
BRODIE KRESSER 4 INFIELDER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’1 WT: 180
BORN: 7/11/02
HOME: Jessup, IA 2025 CLUB: U of West Virginia

MARQUARDT 10 CATCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’0 WT: 195
BORN: 11/14/01
HOME: Litchfield, Minnesota
2025 CLUB: Briar Cliff


TREY MORRILL 26
RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’7 WT: 250 BORN: 11/11/99
HOME: Loma, Colorado 2025 CLUB: Rocky Mountain

DILLION TATUM 15
CATCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’0 WT: 220
BORN: 5/24/00
HOME: Stockton, California
2025 CLUB: Oakland

JACKSON VAN DE BRAKE 33
INFIELDER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’1 WT: 202
BORN: 4/08/02
HOME: Yakima, Washington 2025 CLUB: Tacoma CC/UNC

INFIELDER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’1 WT: 220 BORN: 1/12/01
24
HOME: Greenville, South Carolina 2025 CLUB: Staten Island (Atlantic)

LEFT-HANDER PITCHER
12
B/T: L/L HT: 6’0 WT: 190 BORN: 8/15/04
HOME: Fairfield, IL 2025 CLUB: Tennessee Wesleyan

BRAULIO VÁSQUEZ 17
INFIELDER
B/T: S/R HT: 6’0 WT: 210
BORN: 4/13/99
HOME: Santo Domingo, D.R. 2025 CLUB: León (Mexico)

PENIEL OTAÑO 7
RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’4 WT: 190
BORN: 10/7/00
HOME: Sabana Grande de Palenque, D.R. 2025 CLUB: Sioux City

RIGHT-HANDER PITCHER
11
B/T: R/R HT: 6’4 WT: 217
BORN: 6/16/99
HOME: Freeport, Bahamas 2025 CLUB: Milwaukee/Sioux City

ZAC VOOLETICH 2
INFIELDER
B/T: S/R HT: 5’10 WT: 190lbs
BORN: 11/9/99
HOME: Houston, Texas 2025 CLUB: Sioux City


RIGHT-HANDER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’2 WT: 215
BORN: 3/27/96
HOME: Napoleon, Ohio
2025 CLUB: Sioux City/Chattanooga

RIGHT-HANDER
B/T: R/R HT: 6’3 WT: 205
BORN: 12/15/96
HOME: Memphis, TN
2025 CLUB: Southern Maryland


NAME YEAR #
John Nogowski 2024 100
Jose Sermo 2019 100
Jay Baum 2018 100
Luis Durango 2018 100
Michael Lang 2018 100
Nate Samson 2018 100
Nate Samson 2016 100
Matty Johnson 2015 100
Noah Perio 2015 100
Ray Serrano 2012 100
NAME YEAR #
Matty Johnson 2015 424
Nate Samson 2018 415
Michae Lang 2018 414
Dustin Jones 2011 413
Luis Durango 2018 412
Noah Perio 2015 408
Nate Samson 2019 404
Wally Backman 2011 398
Derek Schermerhorn 2011 397
Tony Campana 2017 395
NAME YEAR #
Nate Samson 2018 141
Nate Samson 2016 137
Nate Samson 2019 131
Noah Perio 2015 129
Michael Lang 2018 126
Luis Jones 2018 125
John Nogowski 2024 124
Ryan Durango 2015 122
Jose Perio 1996 122
Desi Backman 2004 121
NAME YEAR #
Ray Serrano 2010 34
Marty Neff 1998 33
Ray Serrano 2012 32
Nate Samson 2016 30
Chris Grossman 2006 30
John Nogowski 2024 29
Noah Perio 2015 29
Rene Tosoni 2014 29
Kent Sakamoto 2010 29
Marcel Longmire 2004 29
Kyle Wren 2019 11 Michael Lang 2015 10 Jose Peguero 1996 10 Tim Colwell 2016 8
Jay Baum 2018 7
Michael Lang 2018 7 Nolan Lane 1997 7
Robbins
NAME
NAME YEAR #
Michael Lang 2012-22 (9) 591
Nate Samson 2014-22 (7) 509
Nolan Lane 1993-98 469
Dustin Jones 2007-11 390
Derek Schermerhorn 2008-11 360
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 360
Alex Llanox 2006-09 355
Marty Neff 1994-99 343
Josh Patton 1998-01 323
Chase Harris 2021-24 317
NAME YEAR #
Michael Lang 2012-22 2321
Nate Samson 2014-22 2005
Nolan Lane 1993-98 1808
Dustin Jones 2007-11 1426
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 1359
Marty Neff 1994-99 1348
Alex Llanox 2006-09 1322
Derek Schermerhorn 2008-11 1295
Josh Patton 1998-01 1152
Ray Serrano 2010-12 1092
NAME YEAR
Michael Lang 2012-22 683
Nate Samson 2014-22 634
Nolan Lane 1993-98 529
Alex Llanos 2006-09 411
Marty Neff 1994-99 400
Dustin Jones 2007-11 397
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 392
Josh Patton 1998-01 361
Ray Serrano 2010-12 353
Derek Schermerhorn 2008-11 351
NAME YEAR
Michael Lang 2012-22 114
Nate Samson 2014-22 107
Nolan Lane 1993-98 104
Ray Serrano 2010-12 94
Marty Neff 1994-99 91
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 86
Dustin Jones 2007-11 69
Derek Schermerhorn 2008-11 66
Alex Llanox 2006-09 66
Josh Patton 1998-01 66
NAME YEAR #
Michael Lang 2012-22 33
Nolan Lane 1993-98 21
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 14
TimColwell 2014-16 13
Derek Schermerhorn 2008-11 13
Lance Robbins 1993-96 12
Jose Sermo 2018-21 11
Kyle Wren 2019 11
JoshPatton 1998-01 10
JosePeguero 1996 10
NAME YEAR #
Jose Sermo 2018-21 64
Nolan Lane 1993-98 57
Marty Neff 1994-99 55
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 45
Peter Barrows 2012-14 41
Kevin Garner 1996-97 39
Sebastian Zawada 2019-22 36
Michael Lang 2012-22 35
Jay Kirkpatrick 1999-01 35
Jorge Moreno 2006-07 33
NAME YEAR
Nate Samson 2014-22 318
Nolan Lane 1993-98 279
Michael Lang 2012-22 258
Marty Neff 1994-99 249
Jose Sermo 2018-21 244
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 219
Alex Llanox 2006-09 206
Ray Serrano 2010-12 180
Peter Barrows 2012-14 179
Josh Patton 1998-01 176
NAME YEAR #
Michael Lang 2012-22 462
Nate Samson 2014-22 329
Nolan Lane 1993-98 307
Dustin Jones 2007-11 250
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 239
Marty Neff 1994-99 211
Derek Schermerhorn 2008-11 209
Jose Sermo 2018-21 208
Alex Llanox 2006-09 208
Josh Patton 1998-01 201
NAME YEAR #
Nolan Lane 1993-98 168
Michael Lang 2012-22 149
Nate Samson 2014-22 105
Derek Schermerhorn 2008-1 199
Dustin Jones 2007-11 89
Chase Harris 2021-23 88
Derek Kopacz 1997-01 86
Tim Colwell 2014-16 76
Ryan Ruiz 2003-06 74
Jose Sermo 2018-21 63
Austin Davis 2025 60
D’Shawn Knowles 2024-25 58

NAME YEAR #
Rob Wort 2015 1.79
Ryan Zimmerman 2015 1.80 David Glick 2002 1.89
Oil Can Boyd 1994 1.89
Patrick Johnson 2015 2.08
Jake Kuebler 2016 2.15
Nick Singleton 2008 2.24
Ryan Flores 2018 2.63
David Trahan 2011 2.67
NAME YEAR #
Nick Schumacher 2011 644
Chris Swiatkiewicz 2003 618
Jason Jarvis 2012 617
Dennys Gomez 1998 610
Tom Lipari 2005 610
Jordan Romero 2001 594
Billy Keppinger 2006 591
Richard Salazar 2012 590
Bobby Post 1998 586
Wes Brooks 1996 586
Name Year #
Patrick Johnson 2015 15-1
Ryan Zimmerman 2015 14-2
Alexander Francisco 2008 12-1
Justin Vernia 2018 12-2
John Straka 2015 11-3
Aaron Jersild 1997 11-3
David Harris 1995 11-3
Rob Wort 2015 11-4
Name Year #
Dusty Bergman 2008 0-12
Andy Noga 2013 4-12
Chris Gogolewski 1996 2-11
Reese Murdaugh 1996 6-11
Wes Faust 2003 5-10
Jason Jarvis 2013 5-10
Taylor Jordan 2019 6-10
6 players tied with 9
Name Year #
Brett Reid 2008 24
Matt Pobereyko 2019 24
Felix Cepeda 2025 24
Jose Flores 2015 22
Eric Karch 2018 21
Sean Kramer 2005 20
Sean Rackoski 2023 20
Name Year #
Eddie Delacruz 2010 53
Brandon Brosher 2024 48
Eddie Delacruz 2011 48 Jimmer Kennedy 2014 48
Bobby
Jason Jarvis 2012 21
Nick
6 players tied with 44
3 players tied with 19

NAME YEAR #
Ty Marotz 2006-12 33
Chris Swiatkiewicz 2002-06 26
Patrick Johnson 2014-15 23
Alexander Francisco 2007-08 19
David Glick 2001-05 18
Richard Salazar 2011-13 17
John Straka 2014-15 17
Reese Murdaugh 1994-96 16
Taylor Jordan 2018-19 16
Patrick Ledet 2021-22 15
Kevin McCanna 2017-22 15
NAME
Ty Marotz 2006-12 33
Chris Swiatkiewicz 2002-06 26
Jason Jarvis 2011-13 23
David Glick 2001-05 19
Chris Hill 1998-00 18
Adam Springston 2001-03 17
Jordan Romero 2001-03 17
Reese Murdaugh 1994-96 16
Wes Brooks 1996-97 14
Tom Lipari 2005-06 14
NAME YEAR #
Rob Wort 2014-16 1.80
Tyler Fallwell 2018-19 2.45
Matt Pobereyko 2019-22 2.58
Brett Reid 2007-10
Jimmer
David Harris 1994-95 3.13
Chris Bodishbaugh 2012-15 3.16 Max Kuhns 2021-23 3.26
NAME YEAR #
Nate Gercken 2019-24 187
Brandon Brosher 2021-24 168
Ty Marotz 2006-12 144
Eddie Delacruz 2010-12 136
Jimmer Kennedy 2013-15 129
Ryan Flores 2017-19 117
Sean Kramer 2004-06 116
Chris Bodishbaugh 2012-15 112
Brett Reid 2007-10 111
Derek Fahs 1998-00 95
Barry Nelson 1993-95 94
NAME YEAR #
Ty Marotz 2006-12 72
Chris Swiatkiewicz 2002-06 67
Austin Drury 2023-25 56
David Glick 2001-05 52
Bobby Post 1997-99 51
Jason Jarvis 2011-13 50
Adam Springston 2001-03 47
Richard Salazar 2011-13 47
Jared Wetherbee 2023-25 47
Wes Brooks 1996-97 42
John Straka 2014-15 41
Cody Forsythe 2016-17 41
NAME
Chris Swiatkiewicz 2002-06
Joe Kraemer 1993-94
Jason Jarvis 2011-13
Reese Murdaugh 1994-96
5 players tied with 5
Austin Drury 2023-25
St. Louis Cardinals
New
Cleveland Indians
New
Boston Red Sox
Arizona Diamonbacks
New York Mets
Arizona Diamonbacks
Boston Red Sox
Los Angeles Angels
San Francisco Giants
Boston Red Sox
Pittsburgh Pirates
Chicago Cubs
Boston Red Sox
Los Angeles Dodgers
Milwaukee Brewers
San Francisco Giants
Seattle Mariners
Los Angeles Dodgers
Miami Marlins
St. Louis Cardinals
Arizona Diamonbacks
Seattle Mariners
Miami Marlins
Philadephia Phillies
Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
Arizona Diamonbacks
Milwaukee Brewers MLB
Cincinnati Reds
Minnesota Twins
New
Tampa Bay Rays
Pericos de Puebla
Toros de Tijuana
Pericos de Puebla
Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers
Arizona Diamonbacks
Texas Rangers
Miami Marlins
Miami Marlins
Philadephia Phillies
St. Louis Cardinals
Cincinnati Reds
Kansas City Royals













