On Feb. 21, Dartmouth Baseball played their season openers against the Fairleigh Dickinson University Knights and Gardner-Webb University Runnin’ Bulldogs. Kyle Klaric-Schell ’28, who made seven appearances during his freshman season as a right-handed pitcher, will act as a reliever in his second season after the team lost graduated bullpen arms Joseph Chambers ’25 and Danny Will ’25.
The Dartmouth sat down with Klaric-Schell to discuss his time with the Dartmouth men’s baseball team, his role as a second-year player and what to expect as the season begins.
Last season, the team fell short of the Ivy League Tournament. What reflections do you have on the season?
KKS: It definitely didn’t end the way that everybody wanted it to end, but I think it motivated everybody going into the offseason to really put the time and effort in so that we have a better outlook for this season.
You’re missing graduated pitchers Danny Will ’25 and Joseph Chambers ’25. Being in the bullpen yourself, what are you doing to account for those lost arms?
KKS: It’s tough when you come out of high school and come here because you throw way more than you throw in high school. Your arm probably wears a lot faster than those guys like Will and Chambers. They threw so much. But now as you get older, I could definitely handle more throwing load than I could then.
Head coach Bob Whalen retired last July. What are you taking from him and what are you going to miss about him this year?
KKS: He was enjoyable to be around. He was a super funny guy. I think because interim head coach Blake McFadden worked under him for so long it was a super seamless transition. It doesn’t seem that different than it was.
How is preparation for the upcoming season?
KKS: Good. I would say more optimistic than it was last season. I feel like everybody feels confident under coach McFadden’s leadership and are excited to get the season started.
What is that preparation looking like for the start of the season?
KKS: We’ve been doing a lot of inner-squad scrimmaging, practicing our defensive plays. I know the hitters have been getting their work in with assistant coach Brad Hill, who is new. I know everybody loves him and enjoys him as a coach and as a guy at practice.
The 2026 season will also be assistant coach Jaren Hunter’s first season. How has he been as an addition to the team?
KKS: He’s phenomenal. He’s probably one of my favorite additions. He’s a super funny guy. He obviously knows his stuff well, and everybody really just enjoys being around him.
What have you taught the freshmen thus far?
KKS: They’ve been super. They’ve honestly come in super prepared, so there hasn’t been a whole lot of teaching going on. They’ve entered the program seamlessly and they’ve honestly been a lot of fun.
What are the hopes and goals for the season?
KKS: Well, that’s tough. I feel like the hopes and goals are usually to play as best as you possibly can. And what that turns out to be, you never know. There’s a lot of stuff that’s up in the air.
I would say control as much as we can to put ourselves in the best position to make the Ivy League tournament, and then whatever happens there, happens. Hopefully, we win it.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
