FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GERING, NE – The 2022 Independence League Champion Western Nebraska Pioneers today announced the hiring of Brandon Nelson as Head Coach for the 2023 season. Nelson replaces Antonio Garcia, who recently was hired by Gonzaga University as a full-time assistant coach. Garcia leaves with a 77-45 overall record, two playoff appearances and the 2022 ILB Championship, sealed by a 3-2 win at Oregon Trail Park Stadium on Saturday night.
“It’s been our honor and pleasure to have Antonio lead us on the field these last two seasons,” Pioneers owner Chuck Heeman said. “With two playoff seasons and a Championship, Brandon will have big shoes to fill taking over one of the most successful teams in all of summer collegiate baseball. Brandon has a history of tremendous success in summer ball and we look forward to working with him, and we thank Antonio for what he’s accomplished with the Pioneers. As with players and office staff, seeing one of our own move ahead to bigger things in their own careers is part of our mission at the Pioneers, and we are proud of Antonio as he leaves us for Gonzaga.”
Nelson is in his second stint as an assistant baseball coach at Lakeland University in Plymouth, Wisconsin. After starting his coaching career at Lakeland from 2016-2018, Nelson has coached collegiately at Bryant & Stratton College (WI), UW-Platteville, and has now returned to Lakeland University. During his time at Platteville, Nelson helped coach the programs first ever All-American in Jonny Kelso. Kelso was also named the WIAC Position Player of the Year as well as the Region Player of the Year. He developed an offense that went from hitting .254/.352/.368 and 19 HR in 41 games and improved to hitting .310/.386/.440 with 30 HR in 35 games the following year.
Aside from collegiate coaching, Nelson served as the Head Assistant Coach for the professional Tucson Saguaros in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball during the summer of 2018. During the summers from 2019-2021 Nelson was the head coach of the High Point Hushpuppies in the summer collegiate Old North State League, located in High Point, NC. In his three seasons as the head coach of the Hushpuppies, Nelson led his teams to an overall record of (66-21), including league champions in 2020.
During his time in the ONSL, Nelson left as the winningest coach in league history and coached the league’s first ever MLB draft pick in Brendan Collins (17th Round, Washington Nationals 2021 MLB Draft). Nelson also coached the league’s Pitcher of the Year in all three seasons.
Before beginning his coaching duties, Nelson played independent minor league baseball for the Garden City Wind in the Pecos League. In his two seasons with the Wind, Nelson hit a combined .250 and helped the Wind earn their first division title in franchise history during the 2016 season. Nelson resides in Sheboygan, Wisconsin with his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Kinsley and Baker.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to be chosen to lead the Pioneers,” Nelson said. “After meeting with both Chuck and Mayra during this process it’s obvious why there’s a winning tradition in Gering. Their ability to treat people the right way as well as their desire to win are things that made me want this position even more and I can’t thank both of them enough. I promise I will bring my passion and expectations to win every night to the ballpark. In addition, we will also be the most fun team in the league and give the fans something to be excited about every night in our pursuit of a championship. I can’t wait to get down there. Roll Pios!”
The Pioneers and the Independence League begin their second season on May 23, 2023. For information on the Expedition League visit www.independenceleague.com and for more information on the Pioneers visit www.wnpioneers.com.
Western Nebraska Pioneers Baseball Club; P.O. Box 23, Gering, NE 69341
Phone: 308-633-BALL; e-mail: media@wnpioneers.com