MANKATO, Minn. – Minnesota State baseball head coach
Matt Magers has announced the addition of six recruits during the fall signing period.
All signings are contingent upon admission to Minnesota State and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center.
The Mavericks finished the 2026 season with a record of 40-16 (29-7 NSIC) finishing second in both the regular season and the NSIC tournament.
"We're excited to welcome these six young men to Maverick Baseball. This is an athletic group of quality students who bring a combination of talent, competitiveness, and strong character to our program. We feel they have tremendous upside and, more importantly, possess the work ethic and attitude we're looking for. We believe they will be great additions to our team both on and off the field," said Magers.
Opland Sonnichsen | 5-11 | Catcher | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Lincoln HS | R/R
Sonnichsen comes to MSU from Lincoln High School, where he won a state championship his freshman year. He was named second team all-state during his junior season. During this past summer season Sonnichsen batted .475 across 124 plate appearances, while nabbing 13 runners on 44 attempted steals. During his junior season he batted .420 across 116 plate appearances for Lincoln High, holding a .543 on base percentage and more walks than strikeouts.
He is the son of Joel and Morgan Sonnichsen and he is undecided for his area of study at Minnesota State.
Associate Head Coach McIntee on Sonnichsen, "Opland is a physical, right-handed hitter with an advanced understanding of the strike zone and the ability to drive the baseball to all fields. Defensively, his receiving skills, instincts, and leadership behind the plate give him the tools to develop into an outstanding catcher at our level."
Nolan Julseth | 5-8 | Infield | New Glarus, Wis. | New Glarus HS | L/R
Julseth has played his high school ball at New Glarus High School. During his time there he was named a First Team All-Conference Infielder as both a sophomore and a junior. He was also named to the Prep Baseball First Team All-State team his junior season. During his junior season he batted .514 with a 1.014 slugging percentage. During this past summer season he played for Hitters Baseball and batted .429 while getting on base at a .564 clip.
He is the son of Kevin and Jennifer Julseth and he plans to study business at MSU.
Associate Head Coach McIntee on Julseth, "Nolan is an explosive athlete with the competitive edge we look for in our recruits. His ability to hit for average, and pressure opposing defenses, along with his defensive versatility, makes him a dynamic addition to our program."
Mason Golberg | 6-0 | Pitcher | Savage, Minn. | Prior Lake HS | L/L
Golberg joins MSU after playing high school ball at Prior Lake High School. During his time with Prior Lake, he has been named to the all-conference team as both a sophomore and junior while also being all-section as a junior. He will serve as a team captain for his senior season. During his sophomore season he threw 35 innings while posting a 2.18 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP finishing with a 5-1 record.
He is the son of Natalie and Ted Golberg. Ted played baseball at Wisconsin-Oshkosh from 1996-2000. Golberg is undecided in his area of study at Minnesota State.
Associate Head Coach McIntee on Golberg, "Mason brings a well-rounded arsenal, a strong feel for pitching, and the ability to keep hitters off balance. His toughness, command of the strike zone, and presence on the mound are qualities we value in our pitching staff."
Jackson Mayer | 6-2 | Pitcher | Neenah, Wis. | Neenah HS | L/L
Mayer played his high school ball at Neenah HS. During his junior season he pitched 31.2 innings. In those innings he posted a 2.21 ERA and 58 strikeouts while holding batters to a .181 batting average. As a sophomore he hit .296 with a .932 OPS while throwing 39.1 innings with a 1.96 ERA.
He is the son of Eric and Jennie Mayer and plans to pursue a degree in construction management at Minnesota State.
Associate Head Coach McIntee on Mayer, "Jackson moves exceptionally well on the mound and creates a difficult angle that allows him to generate swings and misses. His aggressive approach, natural arm talent, and competitive mentality make him an intriguing young pitcher with a bright future."
Aeson Kiley | 6-0 | Infielder | Maplewood, Minn. | Hill-Murray HS | L/R
Kiley has played baseball at Hill-Murray High School. During his time as a member of the team he was named an all-conference honorable mention during his sophomore year. During his junior year he was named to both the all-conference and all-section team. He competed in the 2026 17U PG Battle for the Midwest tournament and was named to the All Tournament Team.
He is the son of Aleisha Kiley and plans to pursue a degree in science at MSU.
Associate Head Coach McIntee on Kiley, "Aeson is a multi-sport standout with tremendous offensive potential, combining bat speed, strength, and a natural feel for hitting. His defensive versatility and ability to handle multiple positions give him several ways to impact the game."
Nolan VanLoy | 6-3 | Pitcher | Cold Spring, Minn. | Rocori HS | R/R
VanLoy played his high school ball at Rocori High School. He has been named all-conference and all-district as a pitcher during his junior season. He also has been an all-conference player in football over the past two seasons. VanLoy is a member of the National Honor Society.
He is the son of Drew and Wendy VanLoy, Drew played baseball at the University of North Dakota while Wendy played volleyball, basketball, and softball at Ridgewater. He is undecided in his area of study but is considering something in business.
Associate Head Coach McIntee on VanLoy, "Nolan is a multi-sport athlete with a strong baseball background who has proven himself in big-game situations. His arm strength, ability to attack hitters, and competitive mentality provide a great foundation for success at the collegiate level."
The Mavericks open their 2027 season on Friday, February 12, against Pittsburg State in Pittsburg, Kan., with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.
