For years, the University of Idaho’s club baseball team operated as a small, player-run program with limited resources, minimal recognition and little success to show for its efforts. Now, the program is doing something it had never done before last year: winning consistently.
After finishing with just five wins across its first five seasons in the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA), Idaho has flipped the script in dramatic fashion. Over the past two years, the Vandals have gone from one of the least successful programs in their conference to back-to-back conference champions and back-to-back regional qualifiers.
This spring, Idaho enters the NCBA Division II regional tournament on May 1-3 in Providence, Utah, with a 12–5 overall record and a Rocky Mountain North Conference title already secured. It marks the second consecutive year the Vandals have reached regionals, after last season’s postseason appearance marked the first in program history.
“It’s been a dream come true,” club president and manager, Jake Nelson said. “My first two years with the club were brutal; we didn’t win many games. To go from that to where we are now, it’s something we’re really proud of.”
Founded in 2019, Idaho club baseball competes in the NCBA, which differs from NCAA programs in several ways. Club teams are entirely student-run, meaning no official coaching staff, limited university support and a heavy reliance on player leadership.
From fall 2019 through spring 2024, the Vandals won just five games, losing 37 times. But under new leadership over the past two seasons, the program has surged to a combined 24-14 mark, including a dominant 20-6 record in conference play.
Idaho clinched the Rocky Mountain North Conference title on April 12 following a series win over Montana, capping off a spring in which the team went 8-2.
The Vandals opened the spring by taking two of three games from Washington State, then swept Eastern Washington in a three-game set. They followed that with a decisive district series win over Montana, rebounding from a 12-10 loss in Game 1 with a 15-0 shutout and a 9-4 victory to close the series.
Idaho’s success this season has been driven by one of the most productive offenses in the NCBA.
The Vandals are hitting at an elite level across the board. Eight players on the team have had at least 20 at-bats, and of those eight, four are batting .429 or better. As a team, Idaho boasts a .474 on-base percentage, a number rarely seen at any level of competitive baseball.
In just 14 games, the Vandals have totaled 124 runs and 34 extra-base hits, consistently putting pressure on opposing pitching staffs.
“We’ve been really strong at the plate,” the team president said. “Top to bottom, everyone has contributed.”
While the offense has drawn attention, improvements on the mound have been just as important. Idaho has added depth to both its starting rotation and bullpen, allowing the team to stay competitive throughout weekend series.
If one game captures the identity of this year’s team, it came in March against Eastern Washington.
After building a huge lead early, the Vandals surrendered 15 runs in a single inning and suddenly found themselves trailing by six. Instead of folding, Idaho responded with a comeback for the ages, rallying to win 24-23 in one of the wildest games of the season.
“That’s just who this team is,” Nelson said. “We’re never out of a game.”
That resilience has become a defining trait.
Idaho has also had to overcome significant logistical challenges. The team played just three home games all season, all of them in Pullman against Washington State. This is due to limited field availability in Moscow and multiple schedule disruptions. The rest of the schedule was spent on the road, forcing the Vandals to embrace an “anywhere, anytime” mentality.
“We’ve become road warriors,” Nelson said. “At this point, we’re used to it.”
Without a coaching staff, team leaders are responsible for everything, from organizing practices to scheduling games, coordinating travel and managing finances. The group practices multiple times a week on the sprint turf outside the Kibbie Dome and at local training facilities, balancing baseball with academics, jobs and other responsibilities.
Funding is another constant challenge. While the university provides partial support, the majority of the team’s budget comes from player dues, fundraising efforts and sponsorships.
Despite those hurdles, the Vandals have built a strong culture.
“This is a really tight-knit group,” Nelson said. “Everyone holds each other accountable. We don’t have coaches, so it’s on us to make sure we’re doing things the right way.”
That culture extends beyond the field. The team has also made a point to give back to the local community, volunteering with youth baseball programs and helping with facility improvement projects in Moscow.
One of the most encouraging signs for Idaho’s continued success is its roster.
The team is predominantly made up of freshmen and sophomores, with 13 returning players from last year’s regional squad.
Several players have also earned individual recognition. During the 2024-25 season, multiple Vandals received all-region honors, including a third-team All-American selection for Hayden Thompson. Others, including Jarret Lanzen, Kyle Seman and Brandon Lowry, earned first-team all-region honors.
This season, standout performances have continued, highlighted by a national player of the week honor for Erich Poynter after a dominant offensive stretch.
“We’ve had a lot of great performances,” Nelson said. “But it’s really been a full team effort.”
Now, Idaho turns its attention to the next challenge: the NCBA Division II regional tournament.
The Vandals will face a tough field that includes Colorado School of Mines, currently ranked No. 18 in the nation. Idaho, meanwhile, remains largely under the radar, receiving just three votes in the latest national poll.
“We’re used to being the underdog,” Nelson said. “But we believe in what we’ve built.”
The ultimate goal is clear: advance to the NCBA World Series in Alton, Illinois. But, regardless of what happens in Utah, the Vandals have already reshaped the trajectory of their program.
“Last year, we put Vandal baseball on the map,” Nelson said. “This year, we want to keep it there and go even further.”
The Vandals battled hard but unfortunately fell in the regionals. They opened the tournament on Friday, May 1 as they faced Colorado State-Pueblo. They fell to Pueblo 9-8 and had to fight to keep their season alive.
The fight however was over as Idaho fell yesterday to the Colorado School of Mines 5-1 ending their promising season.
Idaho will look to build on this season and use this as a platform to springboard into next season with some confidence as they strive to continue to make their mark in on this team.