Bowling Green State University’s baseball program has announced the addition of seven transfer players for the 2026 season. The group includes pitchers, an infielder, an outfielder, and a catcher, each bringing experience from various collegiate programs.
The incoming transfers are sophomore right-handed pitcher Chase Clatur, junior right-handed pitcher Andrew Heffernan, junior outfielder Pauly Mancino, redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Ethan Papacek, redshirt junior infielder Vinny Salvione, redshirt senior left-handed pitcher Ethan Stade, and junior catcher Lance Vickers.
Chase Clatur joins Bowling Green after one year at Murray State. He made three appearances as a freshman and struck out two batters in 2.2 innings. In high school at Nolensville (Tennessee), he was recognized multiple times as an all-district player and earned all-state honors his senior year.
Andrew Heffernan comes to the Falcons with two years of eligibility after pitching for Merrimack College. Last season he started 12 games and pitched 76.1 innings with a 4.60 ERA and 41 strikeouts. In the previous season he had a 4-2 record over 73.1 innings with 52 strikeouts and contributed to a no-hitter. Heffernan also played as a two-way player at Merrimack and was named Maine Baseball Player of the Year in high school.
Pauly Mancino transfers from Ohio University where he played in 71 games over two seasons. In his most recent campaign he hit .302 with eight doubles, two triples, one home run, and seven stolen bases. Mancino attended Saint Ignatius High School in Westlake, Ohio.
Ethan Papacek will have two years of eligibility remaining after time at Sacred Heart University—where injury limited him to two appearances—and Lansing Community College where he went undefeated in nine outings last season with a 3.07 ERA.
Vinny Salvione arrives following summer play with the Bend Elks in the West Coast League where he recorded solid numbers including five doubles and a home run across 39 games this past summer; previously he played for Portland before transferring.
Ethan Stade is set to join after four seasons at Minnesota State during which he made more than thirty bullpen appearances; this summer Stade posted strong numbers with Willmar Stingers in the Northwoods League including a sub-2 ERA across six outings.
Lance Vickers spent his first college year at Garrett Community College before playing last season for Allen Community College where he batted .263/.400/.463 over thirty games as catcher.
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