“Guts” is the word head coach Dan Pepicelli used to describe baseball’s attitude going into this season.
“This team is a really tough group,” Pepicelli said. “We just don’t give up. To coach a group that has so much grit and guts is so much fun.”
The new energy of nine recruited freshmen and one walk-on is motivating for the team.
“They are joining such a good group of veteran players,” Pepicelli said. “I think it will allow them to mix right in and learn a lot from the older guys. We hope to see a quick transition.”
The Sun spoke to some of the oncoming players to get a feel of the newest additions to Cornell’s lineup and what they will contribute to the team.
Ryan Dillon
Ryan Dillon ’28 is a student in the School of Hotel Administration. Dillon was a four-year varsity starter in high school and a three-time team captain. He is the lone freshman catcher, holding the same position as sophomore Mark Quatrani — the 2024 All-Ivy League Rookie of the Year — and junior Jackson Marko — the most experienced catcher on the team.
A two-time preseason All-American honoree from Perfect Game and the 2024 Mid-Wach All-Star Most Valuable Player, Dillon has extensive experience behind the plate. As he “integrates on the team,” Dillon is grateful to the upperclassmen and hopes to “contribute to the team in any way possible.”
“This level of play is new,” Dillon said. “Getting to work with Mark [Quatrani], who had so much success last year, and [Jackson] Marko is so motivating.”
John Hegarty
John Hegarty ’28 is a right-handed pitcher from Needham, Massachusetts. He is an economics major in the College of Arts and Sciences. Hegarty earned four varsity letters in baseball at St. Mark's School, where he was dubbed Team MVP and was a First Team All-Independent School League and First Team All-New England Prep School Athletic Conference selection.
Hegarty has experience playing other varsity high school sports including two years of football and three years of basketball.
Hegarty feels his past experiences taught him how to play through long seasons and perform under pressure. He says that fans can expect him to be someone who deeply cares about the game.
“I am someone who will show 100 percent of my effort on and off the field all the time,” Hegarty said. “I am very passionate about playing and giving it my all.”
Braeden Johnson
Braeden Johnson ’28 is a New York native who is an animal science major with a concentration in dairy management at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Johnson, a left-handed pitcher, is no stranger to leading a team; he was a four-time Defensive Most Valuable Player at his high school, a four-time First Team All-Star selection for the Mid-State Athletic Conference and a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Section IV First Team All-Star selection.
As a child, Johnson enjoyed watching Cornell baseball and attending games in person. Now, as a part of the team, Johnson hopes to contribute in any way he can.
“I am a team guy. I will always put my best effort in the weight room and at practices,” Johnson said. “On the field, I do not show too much emotion, but inside I want fans to know that there is a storm brewing.”
Sam Keene
Sam Keene ’28 is a student in Arts and Sciences studying economics. Keene is a left-handed pitcher whose goal this year is to both be a team player and do his part individually —- working to be an athlete who improves every single day. The ultimate team goal, according to Keene, is to win an Ivy League Championship. As a left-handed pitcher, Keene relies on precision.
A former team captain and two-time All-Star selection, Keene says that fans and Cornell athletics can expect someone who will “bring the energy every time” he steps out on the field. Keene was the starting pitcher and captain of the Boston College High School team, a program that clinched the 2024 Massachusetts State Baseball Championship.
“I am going to give 110 percent, leave it all out on the field and bring all my energy, hard work and passion,” Keene said. “I want to give everything I have to get back to where we should be — the Ivy League Championship.”
Gus Magill
Gus Magill ’28 is a right-handed pitcher from New York City and studies in Arts and Sciences. He played two years of varsity baseball at his Fordham Preparatory School where he was a New York State Catholic High School Athletic Association First Team member and finalist for the NY CHSAA Ron Patnosh Player of the Year award.
His pitching strength is a fastball slider, and he employs a mix of fastballs and sliders at the mound. He also likes to change up his style with sinker.
Magill is coming off an elbow injury and hopes to be fully healthy in the latter half of the season. He wants to contribute to the team in any way possible — on or off the field.
“I am always willing to take whatever steps necessary to contribute to the team as a team player,” Magill said.
Travian Ramos
Travian Ramos ’28 hails from Neenah, Wisconsin as the fourth player in Cornell baseball history to be from Wisconsin. Ramos is a student in Arts and Sciences studying economics.
Ramos is a right-handed pitcher hoping to level up his playing experience as a Division I athlete. He works on live pitching to teammates to improve his “straightforward pitching” style on the mound. Ramos’ four-year goal as a pitcher is to play professionally.
“Even though many people do not consider Cornell [baseball] to be a powerhouse school, I want to show that it is very possible for our program to produce professional players,” Ramos said.
Jayden Shin
Jayden Shin ’28 is from Pennington, New Jersey and is enrolled in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Shin earned four varsity baseball letters from Hopewell Valley High School and 2023 and 2024 First Team All-Conference and All-Area selections. Shin played two years of varsity basketball that exposed him to “loud, competitive environments” that forced him to become more mentally tough, a skill he says he will transfer to his experience with the Red.
As an infielder and outfielder, his personal goal is to make the trial roster and lineup.
“I want people to know that I am very dedicated to baseball,” Shin said. “It’s been my whole life. I plan to put in my full and complete effort into this program, and the fans are going to get everything out of me. I want to see this program succeed more than anything.”
Will Siwinski
Will Siwinski ’28 is a math and computer science double major in Arts and Sciences. Siwinski played high school baseball in his hometown of San Francisco where he was a 2024 West Catholic Athletic League First Team All-League selection, All-Bay Area News Group First Team and San Francisco Chronicle All-Metro League honoree in 2024. Siwinski also represented Team Ireland at the 2022 U18 European Baseball Championships.
Siwinski is a left-handed pitcher excited for the new challenge of Division I baseball. He hopes to use his confidence and previous experiences to rise to the occasion. Siwinski described his pitching style as having a competitive edge that he hopes will add to the team.
“I think my style is a little unorthodox compared to other left-handed pitchers,” Siwinski said. “I am a little more over the top with my fastballs, sliders and curveballs.”
Siwinski's goal for the team this year is to make the National Collegiate Conference Athletics tournament and win the Ivy League.
Mason Barela
Mason Barela ’28 is an infielder from Jupiter, Florida. Barela played varsity baseball for four years at Jupiter High School, where the program won four consecutive district titles. Barela will join five returning upperclassmen infielders and is one of two freshmen to hold the position. He was nominated for the 2023 Palm Beach Athlete of the Year and was a captain his senior year.
Tyler Beaulieu
Tyler Beaulieu ’28 is a Berwyn, Pennsylvania native. As a member of the Episcopal Academy baseball team, Beaulieu earned four varsity letters and was named team captain his senior year. In addition, Beaulieu was named to multiple All-Star teams including the All-Inter Academic league, the All-Main-Line and the All-Delaware County team twice.
Beaulieu will be the seventh outfielder on the team, joining five upperclassmen and one other freshman.
Ethan McHugh
Ethan McHugh ’26 hails from Lebanon, New Jersey and is a right-handed pitcher. McHugh is studying civil engineering in the College of Engineering.
He walked on to the team during the 2023-2024 season. His former baseball experiences include being named the Most Valuable Player of the North Hunterdon Regional High School baseball team and a First Team All-County selection. McHugh is the eleventh right-handed pitcher on the team.
In their season opener, the Red will take on No.11 Duke at 4 p.m. on Feb. 23 in Durham, North Carolina.
“For us this game is about going down there, competing against a very good team and playing a clean game,” Pepicelli said.
Coverage of the game will be available on ESPN+.
