Mason Roell is turning heads for Indiana State baseball in 2026, and it's easy to see why. The West Bend, Wisconsin native has emerged as a critical offensive force for the Sycamores, building on a solid foundation from last season.

After posting a .267 average with 23 hits, three doubles, a triple, and two home runs in 2025, Roell has elevated his game dramatically. Heading into Friday night's matchup at Murray State, he was hitting an impressive .362 with 46 hits, eight doubles, a triple, and nine homers. That kind of jump doesn't happen by accident.

Roell credits his NCAA Division I experience from last year as a major factor in his development. He also points to the return of key teammates, particularly Carter Beck, who played alongside him last summer with the Saskatoon Berries in the Western Canadian Baseball League.

"Carter did a lot of convincing," Roell said of the summer opportunity. "I know he liked it a lot up there and I don't regret going up there at all. It was really fun this summer."

That experience in the WCBL proved invaluable, giving Roell a taste of playing 50 games over a two-month span. "Just being able to play every day, the mental side, the physical side, to just getting used to that on the body gets you ready for the season," he explained.

Roell is quick to share the credit, noting that success comes easier when the whole team is producing offensively. "Everybody contributing with that being the main focus has driven the success," he said of Indiana State's approach this season.

A key piece of Roell's growth has been working with hitting coach Nick Gobert. Coming out of West Bend East High School, Roell had never worked with a hitting coach before. "Being able to work with him, not only during practice, but outside of practice just talking back and forth, changing some things with my swing, watching film, just talking over stuff, has really helped," Roell said.

Looking ahead, Roell knows what the Sycamores need to do to compete in conference play. "We haven't been able to do it yet in conference, but we know we have that potential after Wright State," he said, referencing the team's sweep of the Raiders on April 17-19. "If we keep playing our game every day, it'll come."

Personally, Roell's mindset is simple but powerful. "Sometimes you can tell if they're struggling out there, showing body language. But if they're not, you just got to go up there with confidence," he said. "I have to step up to the plate with confidence and know that I'm better than the pitcher and going to win the at-bat."

With numbers like these and that kind of approach, it's no surprise Mason Roell continues to shine for Indiana State baseball.