THE 2026 WEBSTER CITY BASEBALL SQUAD includes, front row (left to right): Brayden Babington, Eian Becker, Kaleb Hansen, Alex Staley, Gordon Bargfrede and Boston Farley. Back: Carter Mickelson, Jaxon Griffith, Syrus Willard, Matthew Tesdahl, Aiden Hrnicek and Braylon Dyvig. Not pictured: Jason Griep. (DFJ photo by Patrick Coons)

For a number of reasons, the Webster City baseball season didn’t materialize as head coach Adison Kehoe had initially envisioned a year ago.

Too many injuries. Too many errors. Too many free passes.

Kehoe and the Lynx are ready to make amends in 2026. Armed with a strong group of returning players, Webster City is hungry to prove last summer’s struggles were nothing more than an aberration.

“We had to take a pretty long look in the mirror and figure some things out,” said Kehoe, who is 162-81 in nine seasons at the helm. “Injuries were a huge factor — especially with our pitching. Not to make excuses, but it kind of created a domino effect and we got to the point where we were all pressing and trying to make too much happen.

“Fortunately, we’re healthy so far this spring. That’s helped with continuity and solidifying some things we’ve wanted to work on. It’s also nice to have six seniors who really feel like they have something to prove.”

Matthew Tesdahl, Braylon Dyvig, Carter Mickelson and Aiden Hrnicek are returning starters from the current senior class, along with newcomer Syrus Willard — a transfer from Eagle Grove — and Jaxon Griffith, who missed last season with an injury. Junior staples Alex Staley and Kaleb Hansen flank their veteran teammates.

Sophomores Boston Farley and Gordon Bargfrede were also on the field regularly as freshmen.

“It’s been a fun group both to work with and be around,” Kehoe said. “We’ve just reminded the guys that baseball is both a beautiful and, at times, horrible sport. You can do a lot of things right and still not get the outcome you’re looking for.

“You have to believe in the process and keep honing your craft. Eventually good things will happen. You attack this game like life: you want to compete and have the ball keep coming at you or to you, even through the challenging times.”

Tesdahl (.315) and Dyvig (.308) are the top returning hitters. Staley (28) and Dyvig (20) are the RBI leaders back, with Tesdahl (26) and Hrnicek (23) scoring the most runs.

The defense, which committed 92 errors in 2025, must improve according to Kehoe.

“We need to be better about having a short memory and not letting things snowball,” Kehoe said. “Again, most of the mistakes stemmed from guys either being forced out of position or trying to do too much. You have to be able to flush it, which sometimes can be easier said than done.”

The pitching staff was thrown into flux last year when now-graduated senior Brady Asklund suffered an injury and was unable to take the mound for the majority of the season. Gavin Griffith, who would have been the returning ace as well as one of the squad’s leading offensive weapons, moved before his senior year.

“We may not have a traditional ace, but we have a lot of capable arms,” Kehoe said. “I’m confident in our depth.”

Dyvig (3-3, 2.86 ERA) is the main returning starter, with Tesdahl, Hrnicek, Mickelson and Bargfrede as options with experience as well. Lynx hurlers issued 147 free passes in 178.1 innings pitched a year ago.

Willard is a wildcard. He batted .403 with the Eagles last summer, and opponents hit only .187 against him as a pitcher.

Jaxon Griffith’s return — he batted .333 and scored 39 runs as a sophomore in 2024 — should be another bright spot.

Tesdahl (Des Moines Area Community College), Willard (Southwestern Community College) and Dyvig (Northwestern College) are all slated to play baseball at the next level.

“We have a lot of baseball guys and tremendous athletes on this roster,” Kehoe said. “These guys want to build the culture back up. There is an atmosphere of competitiveness and intensity. They’re chomping at the bit to get going.”

Kehoe will be assisted by Jordan Moen, Jory Dyvig, Josh Griep and Jaime Davis.

The Lynx open on Monday at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows. Their home debut is Tuesday against Eagle Grove.

2026 WEBSTER CITY BASEBALL

Roster

Seniors — Matthew Tesdahl, Braylon Dyvig, Carter Mickelson, Aiden Hrnicek, Jaxon Griffith, Syrus Willard.

Juniors — Alex Staley, Kaleb Hansen, Eian Becker, Brayden Babington.

Sophomores — Gordon Bargfrede, Boston Farley, Jason Griep.

Schedule

May 18 — at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows; 19 — Eagle Grove; 21 — Ballard; 26 — St. Edmond; 29 — at Newell-Fonda.

June 1 — Iowa Falls-Alden; 2 — Storm Lake; 3 — at South Hardin; 6 — vs. Hinton and Council Bluffs St. Albert at Newell-Fonda; 8 — at Algona; 13 — vs. Mount Vernon in Rippey; 15 — at Humboldt; 19 — Boone; 20 — at Saydel; 22 — Clear Lake; 23 — Pocahontas Area; 26 — vs. Urbandale at Ankeny Centennial; 29 — at Hampton-Dumont/CAL.

July 1 — Forest City; 2 — Osage; 7 — at Fort Dodge.