SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word head baseball coach Nick Zaleski has announced two additions to his coaching staff for the 2026 season. Joining the Cardinals are Christian Reyes, Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator & Infield Coach, and Gunner Hellstrom, Assistant Coach/Pitching & Catching Coach. Chance Medina returns for his fifth season as UIW's Director of Player Development/Camp Coordinator.
Christian Reyes – Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator & Infield Coach
Reyes arrives at UIW after serving as recruiting coordinator and infield coach at Texas A&M–Corpus Christi (TAMUCC). With the Islanders, he helped increase the team's conference fielding percentage by 10 points and doubled the number of double plays turned from the previous year. He also helped guide TAMUCC to the conference tournament, where the Islanders upset No. 3 seed Lamar and advanced to the brink of the Edinburg Bracket Championship game.
"Getting Christian on the coaching staff was a great move for the program," said Zaleski. "He has put together a NJCAA World Series team with McLennan Community College and has worked with some impressive coaches in his young career. His relentless efforts to identify and sign championship level players, as well as quickly develop relationships with players will prove to be a valuable asset to the coaching staff. We are excited to have Christian and his wife Norah with us in San Antonio."
"I couldn't be more excited to join the UIW family and community," said Reyes. "I am very thankful to Coach Zaleski for this opportunity. Joining this staff was a no-brainer for me, and I'm eager to be part of his vision for serving and developing student-athletes. I look forward to building relationships with our players and doing whatever it takes to help them grow as people, students, and players."
Before TAMUCC, Reyes was recruiting coordinator and hitting coach at McLennan Community College (2023–24). During his tenure, the Highlanders posted back-to-back standout seasons, including a 40-win campaign in 2023 and a 43-19 record in 2024, capped by an NJCAA Division I World Series appearance. His players earned seven all-conference honors in 2023, with 18 athletes moving on to Division I programs (an NJCAA best), including seven to Power Five schools. In 2024, 17 more players advanced to Division I programs, nine to Power Four schools (NJCAA best), and Mac Rose was selected in the MLB Draft. Offensively, McLennan led Region V North in slugging percentage, home runs, and runs scored, finishing top 50 nationally in doubles, home runs, and runs.
Reyes began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as a volunteer assistant from 2020 to 2022, working with infielders and hitters. Under his guidance, the Trojans led the Sun Belt Conference in double plays in 2021 and 2022, with the 2022 defense ranking among the NCAA Division I top 50 in double plays turned per game.
Gunner Hellstrom – Assistant Coach/Pitching & Catching
Hellstrom joins UIW after serving as pitching and catching coach at Odessa College in 2025. He helped lead the Wranglers to a 40-17 record, their first WJCAC Championship in 10 years, and their first-ever super regional host site. Hellstrom helped produce 11 Division I commitments and one MLB Draft selection, Daniel Lopez (12th round, Baltimore Orioles).
"Gunner is someone who came highly recommended by an impressive group of coaches with whom he had previously worked with," said Zaleski. Anyone I spoke with was effusive in their praise of his ability to connect with players and develop them quickly. Each day Gunner is with this program, the more excited I am for how he can help our pitching staff and catchers reach new heights. We are delighted Gunner is with us here in San Antonio."
"I'm incredibly honored to join the UIW family as an assistant coach," said Hellstrom. "I'm thankful to Coach Zaleski for the opportunity and can't wait to get to work helping our players sharpen their skills, grow as athletes and people, and compete at the highest level. I'm excited to be part of a program centered on development, discipline, and family."
Before Odessa, Hellstrom spent three seasons on staff at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (2022–24), serving as a student assistant, then a graduate assistant. He worked closely with catchers, hitters, and pitchers. He contributed to the Cornhuskers' first-ever Big Ten Tournament Championship in 2024 and multiple NCAA regional appearances. During his tenure, he helped develop several MLB draft picks, including Brice Matthews (1st round, 2023), Max Anderson (2nd round, 2023), Emmett Olsen (4th round, 2023), Jace Kaminska (10th round, 2023), Josh Caron (4th round, 2024), and Brett Sears (7th round, 2024).
As a player, Hellstrom was a standout catcher at Nebraska (2018–21). He was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2018. He was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a four-time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll honoree. He helped the Huskers to two Big Ten titles and multiple NCAA regional berths, highlighted by a walk-off hit against Indiana to clinch the 2021 championship. During his playing career, he caught current MLB pitchers Matt Waldron (San Diego Padres), Nate Fisher (New York Mets), Cade Povich (Baltimore Orioles), and Spencer Schwellenbach (Atlanta Braves).
The 2026 UIW baseball season will kick off in February.
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