Catholic University of America

Risse is entering his fifth year on the Catholic University baseball staff and his third as the team’s Pitching Coach and Director of Analytics. Since joining the staff, he has played a key role in the program’s rise to national prominence, helping guide the Cardinals to a conference title, a regional appearance in three of four seasons, and a College World Series appearance.

In 2025, Risse coached two All-Region pitchers while helping lead the Cardinals to a Landmark Conference Championship and their second consecutive NCAA Regional Championship appearance. The year prior, he mentored the program’s first consensus Second Team All-American pitcher and two First Team All-Region selections, while the team set a new program record for regular season wins and advanced to the NCAA Regional Championship. In 2023, Risse worked with players at all positions, contributing to the development of both pitchers and position players as the Cardinals climbed to a national ranking as high as No. 10. His first season on staff in 2022 was highlighted by a record-breaking pitching staff that set multiple Landmark Conference records for strikeouts and innings pitched while sending the Cardinals to their first-ever trip to the NCAA Division III College World Series.

No stranger to Talbot Field, Risse is a 2021 graduate of Catholic, where he was a mainstay on the mound throughout his four-year career. As a freshman, he started the elimination game on Championship Sunday when the Cardinals claimed two victories over Scranton on their home field to win the Landmark title and advance to the NCAA Tournament. He was a consistent high-leverage reliever throughout his career, recording multiple saves and wins, including key outings in the shortened 2020 season and again in 2021, when he logged the second-most appearances on the staff.

A native of San Diego, Risse attended the Francis Parker School, where he played alongside current Atlanta Braves shortstop Nick Allen. A three-year letter winner, he pitched and played first base on a Sectional Championship team as a freshman.

Risse earned his undergraduate degree in finance and his Master’s in the Science of Management from Catholic. He is one of three brothers; his brother Aidan is currently pitching professionally in the Frontier League.