Buena Vista University

Brayden Polzien is set to begin his third season as pitching coach for the Buena Vista University baseball team in 2027.

During his first season as a coach in 2025, Polzien's pitching staff led the conference in innings pitched (392.1) and strikeouts (393) and was third in ERA (4.95). It also ranked 17th in all of DIII in strikeouts per nine innings (9.0). He coached the league's Pitcher of the Year and had two All-Region selections. In 2026, he went on to coach two Second Team All-Conference pitchers.

Polzien is no stranger to the program. He was a four-year member of the team’s pitching staff from 2021-24 and finished his career ranked fourth all-time for BVU in career appearances. He pitched in at least 10 games each season, including a career-high 16 during his senior campaign of 2024, while finishing his career with a 5-5 overall record and one save.

The Henderson, Nevada native, was a key part of the program winning back-to-back American Rivers Conference regular season titles (2022 and 2023) and making an NCAA Regional Tournament appearance in 2023. He also completed an internship in the summer of 2023 at the Texas Baseball Ranch in Houston, Texas under the guidance of Ron Wolforth. It is believed to be one of the country's top training facilities for pitchers.

Polzien, a three-time Academic All-Conference selection, graduated from BVU in May 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management. Aside from his coaching duties, Polzien is employed by State Farm Insurance in Storm Lake.