Cubs hope college experience leads to success in 2026

BROOKINGS – The Brookings Cubs will begin their amateur baseball season next week as they host the Madison Broncos at Bob Shelden Field on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

It will be the first of 21 games and one tournament scheduled this season for the Cubs. The roster is full of a lot of talent as Brookings has many players that have either played college baseball or are playing at the collegiate level right now.

Manager and outfielder Rhett Zelinsky said there are a couple of pitchers that are returning from last year's team that are going to be big pieces for the Cubs in 2026.

"I think a huge piece that we're bringing back is Arlen Peters. He pitched at SDSU, so he's definitely a strong arm on the mound and then a quality bat in the middle of the lineup. "Jake Ammann is going to be pitching with us and he's playing at the University of Sioux Falls. I know he's coming off an injury toward the end of the season at USF, but he had a really strong start [there]. He's one of the top Division II pitchers in the nation, so even getting him to throw some high leverage situations as more of a rehab assignment would benefit both the Cubs and him," Zelinsky said.

Zelinsky played for USF from 2021-24. He said there will be anywhere from five to nine players in the lineup each game that have some sort of college baseball experience. He noted two more players that will be back from the 2025 roster.

"We have two other guys that are college players that are coming back. Myles Rees is someone who can play just about anywhere on the diamond and is a very effective pitcher on the mound. He's a super good dude who keeps the dugout loose. And then Lincoln Vasgaard, who is playing at Southwest Minnesota State. He's a pitcher that showed that he can be a good bat and be a guy in the lineup who's another one of those super versatile guys," Zelinsky said.

It has become a trend for the Cubs to have guys with college experience on their team. Zelinsky said that's a big advantage for Brookings because you learn a lot while playing the game at that level.

"I think it makes all the difference in the world, because we all come from different backgrounds. You see the game through a different lens when you are brought up playing the game and being coached a different way. It's just the baseball IQ thing, like being able to take extra bases on bad throws, or making a play behind a runner to get an out to end an inning. Just those things that, if you haven't played at a super high level or have watched the game in great detail, it's things you don't always catch up on," Zelinsky said.

The Cubs lost in the quarterfinals of the State Tournament last season and have not won a state title since 2002. They have made it to the State Tournament in each of the past eight seasons but are looking to get over the hump and bring a state championship back to Brookings.

Zelinsky said in order to do that they have to focus on getting outs when they're in the field.

"I think we just have to continue to traject upwards as the season goes on. Obviously, as in any sport, you want to be playing your best at the end of the year. I think if we just have to get to that point where we can have our best arms commanding all pitches around the zone, in, out, up, down, and then just playing good defense. Because ultimately, the way you win baseball games is pitching and defense. Then tack on a few runs, the rest will take care of itself," Zelinsky said.

After the Cubs get the season going, they will be hosting the Junior Cubs Clinic on May 16 at Bob Shelden Field. There are approximately 70 area kids that are registered for the clinic. Cubs general manager Aaron Jorenby said this is a good way for Cubs players to pass on their knowledge and it will be fun to get the community involved with the amateur baseball team.

ìWith so many players on this Cubs team actively playing or having played college-level baseball, there's a wealth of knowledge and experience that these guys can pass on to youth baseball and softball players," Jorenby said. "To have kids come to games later this season and watch and cheer on the guys that taught them during the clinic, as well as take part in pre-game festivities and warm-ups, we feel it's a pretty cool experience for these kids.

"We also give each clinic participant a pass for them to attend a 2026 Cubs game with the rest of their family so they can come enjoy a summer night together at Bob Shelden Field.î

Brookings will play its first three games at home. The Cubs will take on Elkton on May 17 at 5 p.m. and host Volga on May 20 at 8 p.m. One of the highlights of the season for Brookings will be playing in a tournament in Arlington, Minn., June 6-7. The Sioux Empire League Tournament is July 23 and July 26. The State Tournament qualifying series will be July 31-Aug. 2 and the first weekend of the State Tournament will be in Yankton Aug. 7-9. The final weekend of the State Tournament will be in Mitchell Aug. 14-16.