Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University has announced the addition of two transfer position players to its baseball roster for the 2026 season. Head coach Ryan Kelley, now in his 18th year leading the Warriors, confirmed that infielder Nick Sandiha, Jr. and outfielder Alfredo Velazquez will join the team.

Sandiha comes from West Bloomfield, Michigan and previously played at Macomb Community College and Madonna. In 2025, he appeared in 44 games for Macomb Community College, starting 40 times. He posted a .401 batting average with 57 hits, nine doubles, one triple, six home runs, and drove in 44 runs. Sandiha also had a .445 on-base percentage and stole 19 bases. His defensive performance included a .983 fielding percentage.

He was recognized for his achievements by being selected to the NJCAA Region XII Division II All-Region Team and earning All-MCCAA honors as well as Academic All-MCCAA recognition.

In the previous year at Madonna, Sandiha started all 29 games he played in and batted .406 with nine doubles and one home run. He drove in 25 runs and had seven stolen bases.

A graduate of Brother Rice High School in Michigan, Sandiha helped his high school team win a district title as a junior. "Full name -- Nicholas J. Sandiha, Jr. ... born on January 19, 2005, in West Bloomfield, Mich. ... son of Nick and Sandi Sandiha ... has two younger brothers, Lucas and Jacob ... plans to major in Marketing ... last name is pronounced SAN-di-ha."

Alfredo Velazquez joins Wayne State after playing for the Michigan Wolverines. In the most recent season with Michigan (2025), Velazquez appeared in seven games and scored once at Long Beach State on February 28th. He received Academic All-Big Ten recognition for Spring 2025.

During the previous season (2024), Velazquez made appearances both as an outfielder and pitcher for Michigan across multiple games including matchups against Toledo and Long Beach State.

Velazquez is also a Brother Rice High School graduate where he was a three-year letterwinner on their baseball team. He earned Second Team Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Division I All-State honors twice during his prep career while serving as captain his senior year.

He played summer ball with Traverse City Pit Spitters where he contributed to their league-best record by appearing in 44 games with notable offensive production.

"Full name -- Alfredo G. Velazquez ... born on November 27, 2004, in Melvindale, Mich. ... son of Rosie Velazquez and Rigo Velazquez ... has two sisters, Sofia and Olivia ... Olivia runs track at Detroit Mercy ... plans to major in Exercise Science."