ALTON - The Alton River Dragons announced on Monday, June 22, 2026, that pitching coach Andrew Olney will assume the role of field manager and Blake Vandiver has been elevated to hitting coach for the remainder of the 2026 season.
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Olney is a veteran coach with scholastic, elite travel, and collegiate experience.
Olney replaces Coach Jarrod Brissenden as the Dragons' field manager.
Olney most recently served as pitching coach and recruiting coordinator for Napa Valley College. He has spent the last several years coaching at the scholastic, elite travel and collegiate levels in California and previously owned and operated his own baseball academy.
His collegiate background also includes playing two years of college baseball at Napa Valley College and Schenectady County Community College.
“We thank Jarrod Brissenden for his contributions to our organization and wish him and his family nothing but the best going forward as he uses this time to pursue full-time college coaching opportunities,” Steve Marso, owner of the River Dragons, said.
The coaching announcement came as the River Dragons also reported that their home game against Decatur on Sunday, June 21, was canceled. Because the teams are not scheduled to play again, the game will not be made up.
On the field, Alton lost 11-2 on the road to the O’Fallon Hoots on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Caynen Patterson and Ryan Hartz scored the River Dragons’ two runs, while Hartz and Logan Studer were credited with the team’s two RBIs.
Cole Hockman, Charlie Renco, Patterson and Brandon Wise pitched for Alton. Patterson and Wise did not allow any runs, and Wise did not allow any hits. None of the River Dragons pitchers allowed a home run.
The River Dragons are scheduled to play at the Cape Catfish at 6:35 p.m. CDT Tuesday, June 23; host the Jackson Rockabillys at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, June 24; play at the O’Fallon Hoots at 6:35 p.m. Thursday, June 25; and host the Dubois County Bombers at 6:35 p.m. Friday, June 26.
