Fairfield ace Ben Alekson was 9-2 last season with a 3.34 ERA and 84 strikeouts. (Fairfield Athletics)
The opening week of the Division 1 season is here.
With Opening Day set for Friday, Feb. 13, teams all across the country will soon be handing the ball off to an ace.
In college baseball, that Friday night starter sets the tone. Who will take on that role this season around New England? With that question in mind, NEBJ looks at candidates to top the pitching staff for each of the region’s 20 programs.
The list includes a number of proven options returning to their teams with crucial experience, some rising sophomores who made a major impact as freshmen, and potential breakout prospects looking to build off strong performances last summer.
![UCSB Head Coach Andrew Checketts, D1Baseball’s Eric Sorensen [Sidearm Delivery] • D1Baseball](https://i2.wp.com/cdn.d1baseball.com/uploads/2026/03/04080523/Sidearm-Delivery-Andrew-Checketts-Web.png?ssl=1 "UCSB Head Coach Andrew Checketts, D1Baseball’s Eric Sorensen [Sidearm Delivery] • D1Baseball")
