GRAND HOPES FOR ANDERSON & SCHMIDT

Dillon Anderson, an exceptional outfielder and Trevor Schmidt an astonishing infielder have both decided to take their talents to Grand Canyon University and together remain teammates. Both players overcame obstacles coming out of their freshman year from injuries to transfer portal uncertainty. Learning from Coach Chad Baum, Trevor and Dillon will take those lessons and apply them on and off the field continuing their baseball careers playing on the next level.

In the beginning of Dillon Anderson's freshman year he suffered an injury during a game which resulted in him breaking his collarbone. This did not discourage Anderson, but in exchange encouraged and motivated him to come back his sophomore year better and stronger than ever, which caught the eye of GCU. Dillon ended the 2025 season with a .311 batting average, 48 RBI, 45 runs, 7 home runs, and 59 hits, which resulted in him being the first player to commit for the Hornets.

What made you choose Grand Canyon University as the school to pursue your academic and baseball future?
For me the selling point was the culture as well as the community. When I first went for my official visit, I felt home. It felt like a place where I wanted to go be a part of.

You have played under Coach Baum for two years, how do you think he has prepared you for this change?
Playing for Coach Baum has made me a better player not only on the field but off the field as well. From helping me grow physically to mentally understanding and preparing me for the game.

With your entire family supporting you, who do you feel has been the most beneficial?
Both of my parents have supported me just as equally in my baseball career as well as my personal life. They both work extremely hard to be able to provide for me and to help me play the game that I love.

Out of about 60 players on Fullerton you are the first to commit to a D1 school, did you feel pressure being the first on your team to sign or was this an easy decision for you?
I didn't feel pressured being the first player on my team to sign, it was an easy decision for me to make, I made this decision for myself and with the school feeling like home I knew it was the perfect place for me.

You have been at Fullerton College for two years, what will you miss the most and what will you take away from the two teams you played with?
Being here the past two years what I'll miss the most is most definitely the culture, being around the guys, truly understanding that I won't get to play with most of these guys again is what I'll miss as far as friendships and culture goes.

In your first year you fractured your collarbone, how did you overcome this injury not only to enhance your physical strength but also boost your motivation and determination to succeed in your sophomore season?
Breaking my collarbone last year was something that set me back a lot, but in return I felt like it gave me a lot of motivation and this made me want to work harder to come back and become a better player.

With your teammate Trevor also committing to Grand Canyon University, how do you believe this will be beneficial to you both on and off the field?
Going to the same school with Trevor will be cool especially since we've been teammates for two straight seasons so going with someone whom I'm comfortable playing with will be nice, and I think it will just be an easier adjustment for us to know someone on the team and not go in there as a new person not knowing anyone.

Trevor Schmidt is one player who has had an exciting and successful baseball career. After graduating from Servite High School, Schmidt decided to sign with the University of Arizona. He soon decided that U of A was not the right fit for him and came home to play for Coach Baum at Fullerton College. After an amazing his freshman season where Trevor led the team in batting average (.343) RBI (65), home runs (13), and hits (61). After the 2024 season, Schmidt took his talent to LSU where he decided he needed more time to develop and returned to the Hornets for the 2025 season. Trevor wrapped up his career at FC as the career RBI record holder (120) most RBI in a game (9), and third on the all-time list for career home runs (21).

Last year you committed to Louisiana State University and ended up coming back for more developmental time, based on what you've learned at FC and LSU. How will this help you succeed at Grand Canyon University?
While at both schools I would say I've learned a lot about myself as a player and have learned to understand the mental aspect of the game is just as important as the physical part of the game. I believe that by having this mentality is what will help me succeed at Grand Canyon which will allow me to become the player I want to be.

You have had a solid two seasons at FC. How do you think Coach Baum has prepared you mentally and physically to continue at the next level?
Coach Baum has prepared me mentally and physically to the best of his ability. Being here for two years, I can say he is one of the more caring coaches I've played for. Every day he prepares me mentally and physically for each game and in doing this he's instilled confidence in me for me to be able to move to the next level without a doubt.

How do you feel going back to back teammates with Dillon and how do you think it will be beneficial for you especially?
I think going to school with Dillon will be beneficial just because I know someone on campus already now, and while playing with a guy I've played two seasons with already will be extremely beneficial just due to the fact that we have an understand on how we both hit, what works for each other is what I think is very important.

After having an impressive baseball career, who in your family has been an outlet for you?
In my family both my parents have been an outlet for me. They have both helped me along my baseball path and have been super supportive, my mom will help me realize it's okay to take a step back in a sense while my dad helps me get my mind off the game after a bad day. Both my parents instill in me that you must take it day by day no matter the outcome of the game.

Why do you believe Grand Canyon University is the best school for you baseball and academic wise?
I think Grand Canyon was the best for me baseball and academically because they have a great track record of getting guys to the pros and have proven year after year how they develop guys. Academically I think the way they instill academics will help me become successful without baseball which I believe is important to have.

When committing to Grand Canyon University, what factors did you consider when you made this decision?
When committing to Grand Canyon University some main facts were that I wanted to play for a staff that was young and that understood the game and how it is changing as years progress, along with somewhere that's close to home so my parents could be present at games and for me Grand Canyon University checked all my boxes, a winning culture, guys being drafted, close to home and etc.

Congratulations Dillon and Trevor!

Once a Hornet, Always a Hornet!

*Story by Kailee Avina