The 2025 DBU Baseball season kicks off this Friday as the Patriots take the field at Horner Ballpark to host North Dakota State. As the countdown towards Opening Day continues, our in-depth preview of this year's team continues with a comprehensive look at the Patriots' infield which returns a veteran cast in 2025.

DBU's infield figures to be one of the most experienced and talented groups in the nation in 2025. Four starters return that earned All-Conference USA honors last year including Michael Dattalo, Luke Heefner, Grant Jay, and Chayton Krauss. Last season, this dynamic group combined to hit 50 home runs and total 206 RBI, serving as the backbone of DBU's potent offense.

At the heart of the lineup stands Grant Jay, one of the nation's top power hitters. The junior catcher from Semmes, Alabama, has been named the Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year after a standout 2024 campaign in which he hit .300 with 21 home runs and 57 RBIs. Jay enters the season with 42 career home runs, needing just 12 more to etch his name in the record books as DBU's all-time home run leader.

At first base, Chayton Krauss stands out as a defensive stalwart and an imposing force at the plate. A finalist for the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Team, Krauss committed just two errors in 429 chances, posting an elite .995 fielding percentage last year. At the plate, he was equally dominant, leading the team with a .358 batting average and finishing among Conference USA's top 10 in six offensive categories.

Up the middle, senior shortstop Luke Heefner provides leadership, consistency, and elite defensive ability. A three-year starter, Heefner enters his final season as one of college baseball's most dependable and dynamic shortstops. His exceptional range and steady glove earned him Second Team All-CUSA honors last year, while his bat remained a key asset—hitting .273 with five home runs, 15 doubles, and 36 RBI.

At third base, Michael Dattalo wasted no time making an impact in his first year at DBU. After transferring from Northwestern State, he seized the everyday starting role at the hot corner and emerged as one of the conference's most dangerous hitters. His impressive .345 batting average, paired with eight home runs, 14 doubles, and 47 RBIs, earned him the title of CUSA Newcomer of the Year.

The Patriots also return four key contributors from last season, each poised to make a greater impact in 2025. Adam Berghult, a junior catcher, brings an impressive pedigree, having earned All-American honors two years ago at North Iowa Area Community College. Keaton Grady, now in his third year at DBU after transferring from Incarnate Word, saw action in 21 games last season, making six starts while providing depth to the lineup. Cody Grebeck, another transfer addition in 2024, served as a reliable late-inning defensive replacement, appearing in 23 games in 2024. Meanwhile, Ben Tryon showcased his power early as a freshman last year, launching home runs for his first two career hits in his debut start and went on to play 18 games in his first season at DBU. Luke Pettitte, who starred on the mound last year for DBU, could also see time as a two-way player in the Patriot infield in 2025 after a promising summer as a hitter in the Coastal Plains League.

DBU bolsters its infield depth with six newcomers in 2025, including four transfers with Division I and junior college experience, as well as two talented freshmen looking to make an impact. Mason Swinney, a junior transfer from Alabama, arrives after spending the past two seasons with the Crimson Tide, making 15 starts at second base in 2024. A highly touted prospect out of Phil Campbell High School in Alabama, Swinney was ranked the state's top shortstop by Prep Baseball Report and was one of Alabama's most sought-after recruits. Another key addition is Landon Underhill, who began his career at Mercer University before transferring to McLennan Community College, where he played a pivotal role in leading the team to the NJCAA Division I World Series last season.

The Patriots also add offensive firepower with Jake Bennett, a versatile transfer from San Jacinto College who can contribute both behind the plate and in the outfield. Bennett was a JUCO All-American in 2024 after slashing .337 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs, making him one of the most productive hitters at his level. Tyler Ness rounds out DBU's transfer class, bringing an elite bat from Tyler Junior College, where he hit .372 and was named the Conference Player of the Year last season.

Hudson Ellis and Brooks Sartain are two highly touted true freshmen looking to make their mark on the Patriot roster in 2025. Ellis, a standout from Round Rock, Texas, was named District Offensive MVP in 2023 and showcased his elite hitting ability throughout his high school career. Recognized as one of the top infield prospects in the state, Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 13 shortstop in Texas. Sartain, a Fort Worth native, brings an impressive resume after earning All-Conference honors in all four seasons at Trinity Valley School. His talent was further validated by Perfect Game, which ranked him as the No. 39 overall prospect in Texas.