2025 Slow Pitch Opening Day Predictions

By Laugel

Hounds (6-5 last season) vs. 8-Balls (3-8 last season)

Hounds Roster

• Dylan Jones
• Koby Taylor
• Mitch Buis
• Jake Sprinkle
• Austin Alles
• Josh Hart
• Ethan New*

​The slow pitch Hounds of last season hit 62 dingers, tied for last with the Short Shorts, but had solid offensive numbers outside of that—3rd in hits, 3rd in average, and 3rd in runs scored. The addition of Alles and Buis should provide an improvement in the much-needed home-run department. This team is Wittyless, but they do have the next best thing: Josh Hart.
2025 Slow Pitch Prediction: 6-4

8-Balls Roster

• Reid Werner
• Koby Taylor
• Alex Gurtcheff
• Cody House
• Jathan Wilsey
• Mike Speek
• John Mitchell*

The 8-Balls may have lost some power with Alles, but House is no slouch, and neither is Wilsey. Expect Reid and Gurtch to continue blasting swamp donkeys all season. With steady production from all their players, it’s reasonable to believe they will win more than last season—but it’s not unreasonable to believe they won’t either.
2025 Slow Pitch Prediction: 3-8

Stampede (8-4 last season) vs. Short Shorts (3-8 last season)

Stampede Roster

• Cade Luker
• Dalsen Murdock
• Aidan Palmer
• Holden Palmer
• Nick Bundy
• Tristan Dudas
• Brayden Scott*

The Stampede looked like the best slow pitch team of last season until the Moonshots proved otherwise in the tournament. The Stampede have a solid offensive threat with the Palmer brothers on base, along with Cade and Murdock providing the pop. Expect them to have another solid season, but likely fall short of last year’s team. Isn’t it about time a different Dudas dominates the league in hitting?
2025 Slow Pitch Prediction: 5-5

Short Shorts Roster

• Brendan Dudas
• Dustin Laugel
• Myc Witty
• Mitch Unversaw
• Keegan Caughey
• Devon Hensley
• Byron Young*

Outside of Dudas, the Short Shorts’ lack of power is a major flaw—and the stats back that up. 2nd in hits, fewest strikeouts by far of any team, but #1 in leaving runners on base and tied for last in home runs. Keegan, Unversaw, and Hensley should provide good performance, but if Laugel doesn’t have as many home runs in him as he does beers, this team may be the same old story. So won’t the real cleanup hitter please stand up?
2025 Slow Pitch Prediction: 3-7

Yaks (6-5 last season) vs. Moonshots (8-4 last season)

Yaks Roster

• Rudy Lyon
• Thomas Hopkins
• Sawyer Mitchell
• Colt Cantrell
• Alec Buchman
• Kent Nims*

The Yaks lineup looks to do some serious damage at the 35 mph level. In 2024, they were 2nd in AVG, slugging, OBP, home runs, and runs scored. Expect them to be right in the thick of it all season long if their returning core of Lyons, Hopkins, and Mitchell continue to play at a high level. The additions of Lewis, Cantrell, and Buchman should make up for anything they may have lost. Wild yaks may be endangered, but these domesticated (debatable) ones are in it for the long haul.
2025 Slow Pitch Prediction: 7-3

Moonshots Roster

• Will Smithey
• Tyler Gregory
• Connor Young
• Ian Garavalia
• Cody Fowler
• Dalton Lewis
• Nolan Karwoski*

The Moonshots appeared to be asleep the first couple weeks of last season, steadily improving until the final week when they became white hot and won it all come tournament time. There’s no doubt Smithey and T-Greg will continue to disrespect the families of pitchers across the league, and Young should be a solid offensive addition. The Moonshots hit a league-leading 107 home runs last year—an absurd number that seems unlikely to improve on. Still, they’ll be a force even with the offense returning somewhat down to Earth.
2025 Slow Pitch Prediction: 6-4

Other Notable Predictions

• First person to strike out: Holden Palmer (3rd inning of Game #1)
• Most strikeouts as a batter: Dalton Lewis (11)
• Most beers consumed: Dustin Laugel (74)
• Most hits: Brendan Dudas (64)
• Most doubles: Myc Witty (5)
• Most triples: Cade Luker (4)
• Season home run leader: Tyler Gregory (27)