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| No. 13 Salisbury, with a first place vote in the D3baseball.com/NCBWA Top 25, is an early challenger to No. 4 Birmingham-Southern. Salisbury athletics photo |
by Ryan Mossman
for D3baseball.com
No. 4 Birmingham Southern took the South region deep into the National Championship, but the region’s drought for a title continues into 2020. This Spring not many teams bring back such a strong core of players such as the CAC’s No. 13 Salisbury University. On both sides of the ball the Gulls have a great mix of experience and new faces that look to be key contributors this upcoming spring.
LaGrange has dominated the USA South, but have had mixed results in the postseason. Look for the transfer heavy Panthers to add pieces to the existing experience to try and make a deep postseason run in 2020. Without a doubt a team from the ODAC will make a postseason run as is the yearly case but with Shenandoah losing so many pieces, Randolph Macon and Virginia Wesleyan could make a long run with their experienced squads.
New Faces
Ben Spotts, Bridgewater (Va.): After seven seasons as the head coach across town at Eastern Mennonite University Ben Spotts will enter his first season as the head coach of his alma mater in Harrisonburg, VA. Prior to his team at EMU Spotts spent fourteen seasons as an assistant coach for the Eagles. Legendary former Eagles Head Coach and now current Athletic Director Curt Kendall had this to say about Spotts "I am extremely excited for Ben to return as our next head baseball coach. He was a player and an assistant in the program for a combined 18 years and has a good understanding of what it will take to move our program forward in a very competitive ODAC Conference," said Kendall. "His seven years as a head coach at Eastern Mennonite has helped him develop the skills necessary to lead our program."
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| Clint Helton will be the head coach for the Scots after five years as an assistant. Maryville athletics photo |
Adam Posey, Eastern Mennonite: With the departure of Ben Spotts to across town foe Bridgewater, Adam Posey was promoted to take the helm for his alma mater going into the 2020 season after serving as an assistant for five seasons at Eastern Mennonite. Posey had a decorated career and will look to continue to build the EMU into an ODAC contender. Posey had this to say when he accepted the position "I want to thank President Susan Huxman, Dave King, and the search committee for the opportunity to lead the EMU Baseball Program," said Posey. "I also have to thank Ben Spotts for the leadership that he has provided in not only my own career, but the lives of countless players that have come through the EMU program. Our culture and direction exist today because of the time and effort that he spent over the last seven years working to provide the best student-athlete experience possible."
Clint Helton, Maryville (TN): The Fighting Scots didn’t have to go far to find a qualified candidate to direct the baseball program. Entering his sixth season Helton previously was the associate head coach for his alma mater. Helton had this to say after accepting the position "I am extremely humbled by the opportunity to be the head baseball coach at my Alma Mater," stated Helton. "This College has stood strong for 200 years and this baseball program has evolved over the past 143 seasons. Maryville College is and always will be about the people and the opportunity to do good on the greatest scale possible."
Kelly Swiney, Mary Washington: After the surprising departure of legendary head coach Wayne Riser, Swiney will take over an inexperienced Eagles club. Recently Swiney was the head coach of Westminster College for two seasons and his alma mater Allegheny College for nine seasons. "I am grateful and honored to be named head baseball coach at Mary Washington", said Swiney. In eight of his nine seasons as the Gators' head coach, Swiney guided the team to winning seasons, including a trip to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament Championship game in 2013.
Games to Watch in 2019
February 15-16: A rematch of last year’s exciting regional with #4 Birmingham Southern and LaGrange.
February 22-23: A multi-region top 25 match up that could be a preview for a World Series game featuring #13 Salisbury Vs. #7 Cortland State.
March 8: Arguably the top two D III programs in Maryland square off in a top 25 contest with #13 Salisbury squaring off with #14 Johns Hopkins.
April 15: The 2019 CAC champion and former USA South member #25 Christopher Newport will battle Methodist whose experienced team is in the mix to win the USA South.
April 18-19: One team will get the CAC automatic bid and the other likely getting an at large bid. #13 Salisbury and #25 Christopher Newport meet late in the regular season in a likely CAC championship preview.
Conference Previews
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| Evan Baer played hit .344 with three extra-base hits in 21 games and will be a regular at first base in 2020. Christopher Newport athletics photo |
Capital Athletic Conference: No. 25 Christopher Newport (35-10) came away with the CAC title in 2019 after putting together arguably the greatest D III offense of all time that scored (12.12 runs per game). The Captains graduated a lot of pieces from their powerful lineup but return key players such as leadoff hitter Jr. OF Conner Clark (.339 AVG/.442 OBP/.382 SLG, 34 SB) and Pre Season All American Sr. OF Trey Hicks (.328/.448/.664, 11 HR). CNU will look for Radford transfer Cody Schneider to help bolster a depleted offense. The pitching will feature a very veteran staff headed in the rotation by Jr. RHP Josh Husby (9-2 , 71 ⅔ IP, 76K:19BB) and anchored by multiple veteran relief arms including Sr. LHP Brian Owens (3-1 3 SV, 35 IP, 47K:12BB) and Sr. RHP Tyler Jumper (7-0, 44 IP, 43K:9BB).
In the preseason CAC coaches poll No. 13 Salisbury (35-10-1) tied with Christopher Newport as the favorite, but looks to be positioned to take the CAC crown and compete to return to the World Series for the first time since 2015. Offensively, the Gulls return eight of their everyday players including potential CAC player of the year Sr. OF Justin Meekins (.406/.525/.613, 13 SB), Jr. UTIL Jimmy Atkins (.361/.446/.536/5-1, 75 IP, 54K:19BB) and Sr. DH Jimmy Monoghan (.383/.462/.549, 16 XBH). On the mound Salisbury will turn to Atkins, Sr. RHP Clayton Dwyer (7-2, 2SV, 89 ⅔ IP, 80K:9BB) and So. Xavier Marmol (9-1, 58 ⅓ IP, 41K:15BB) to throw a bulk of their innings this upcoming spring.
Mary Washington (15-22) will look for Sr. OF Christian Hague (.395/.448/.674, 7HR) to power the offense and multiple JUCO transfers to bolster both sides of the ball. York (25-16) returns key lineup contributors So. SS Austin Denlinger (.353/.413/.514, 12 SB) and Jr. 1B Jack Barry (.302/.411/.541, 8 HR). On the mound the Spartans return Jr. Brandon Haggerty (4-4, 48 ⅓ IP, 45K:17BB) and So. Josh Mann (4-1, 42 IP, 21K). Southern Virginia (15-19) returns a few key pieces for their 2020 campaign including Jr. OF Canon Anderson (.363/.441/.661, 23 XBH) and Jr. Bridger Taylor (.364/.430/.645, 8 HR).
Team to Beat: Salisbury
Old Dominion Athletic Conference: Shenandoah (35-15) comes off a terrific season that saw them repeat at ODAC champions in 2019, but fall in the super regional versus a tough Johns Hopkins on the road. The Hornets have a tough road ahead to try and win the ODAC for a third year, but return potential ODAC player of the year candidate in Sr. OF Keegan Woolford (.317/.430/.624, 14HR, 57 RBIs). Sr. OF Grant Thompson (.289/.361/.414, 5 HR) and Jr. C Matt Moon (.310/.449/.330) will need to take big steps forward this spring. On the mound Kevin Anderson’s club returns a trio of talented arms in R-Sr. RHP Reeves Lowry (67 ⅔ IP, 51K), So. Carson Kulina (6-0, 50 IP, 36K) and Sr. CL Gerard DePhillips (13 SV, 31 ⅓ IP, 23K).
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| Randolph Macon topped the ODAC preseason poll. Randolph-Macon athletics photo |
Picked to win the ODAC according to the coaches poll is Randolph Macon (28-10-1) who returns six everyday hitters including ODAC Player of the Year Sr. 3B Mike Nickles (.358/.461/.642, 7HR, 10 SB). Mike’s brother Sr. OF Shawn Nickles (.299/.408/.542, 8 HR, 12 SB) will also bring added power to the Yellow Jackets. On the mound Sr. RHP Michael Zubovich is a bonafide ace (8-0, 70 ⅓ IP, 74K:13BB) who excelled this summer for the Charlottesville TomSox in the Valley Baseball League. Virginia Wesleyan (22-17) looks to be a dark horse in this ODAC title race with four experienced bats returning including potential D III player of the year Sr. Two-Way Jacob Pilarski (.331/.477/.500, 9-3/91 IP/82K). The Marlins return their entire rotation including Sr. Andrew Lowe (5-4, 71 IP, 71K) and Sr. Jay Crusemire (5-3, 66 ⅔ IP, 47K).
Ferrum (22-18), Roanoke (21-18), Lynchburg (19-22),and Hampden-Sydney (17-19-2) land in the middle of the pack in the pre season poll and will swap blows all season as they fight to climb into the top four. Ferrum returns one of the top ODAC catchers in Sr. Tim Ortega (.396/.464/.649, 7 HR) and Sr. 3B Kyle Anstice (.356/.401/.564, 8 HR). On the mound Ferrum will turn to Sr. Drew Calohan (7-4, 70 ⅔ IP, 54K) to be the ace they need for success in 2020. Roanoke’s top starter Sr. Connor Chiulli (4-0, 50 IP, 30K) and top backend arm Jr. Kevin Ledford (4-1, 5 SV, 36 ⅓ IP, 39K). Hampden Sydney returns two quality bats in Sr. 2B Chase Counts (.367/.401/.576, 7 HR) and Sr. DH Matthew Spagnolo (.385/.446/.557) and top SP Sr. Chase Mayberry (4-4, 84 ⅓ IP, 71K). If Lynchburg’s Sr. Hunter Campbell (74 ⅓ IP, 49K, 3.16 ERA) can induce more swing and misses he could be one of the region’s most dominant arms.
Bridgewater (15-23), East. Mennonite (16-23), Guilford (15-24), Washington & Lee (14-20) and Emory & Henry (6-31) will round out the ODAC and will need a lot of improvements to compete for those final slots in the ODAC tournament. Bridgewater returns top freshman OF Jarrett Biesecker (.421/.488/.447, 10 SB) and EMU’s offense will star Jr. Jaylon Lee (.320/.425/.640, 10 HR).
Team to Beat: Randolph Macon
Southern Athletic Association: No. 4 Birmingham Southern (42-15) is coming off a record setting season for the Panthers which saw them reach the D III World Series for the first time only to fall in the Championship series to Chapman. Jan Weisberg’s club will look for returning arms Sr. RHP Andy Hammond (7-3, 69 ⅓ IP, 3.76 ERA) and Sr. LHP Hanan Mauldin (5-1, 56 IP, 0.8 ERA) to build on last year’s success. The Panther’s offense will return key contributors Jr. Cole Steadman (.339/.405/.416, 11 SB), Jr. Brian Williams (.327/.456/.462, 18 SB) and Jr. Alfredo Gainer (.347/.414/.367). After losing many key players from the deep World Series run Weisberg will look to transfer LHP Palmer Steventon from Lipscomb to make an impact on the staff this season.
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| The honors for Jack Hodges rolled in a spectacular freshman season: SAA Pitcher of the Week, 2019 D3baseball.com All-South Rookie of the Year,2019 All-SAA First Team and 2019 SAA Academic Honor Roll Hendrix athletics photo |
Hendrix (30-14) was arguably the team many were most surprised was left out of receiving an at large bid after a stellar 2019 campaign. The Warrior’s offense will look to So. Juan Pablo Leon (.394/.455/.475), Jr. Seth Tucker (.348/.396/.452, 18 SB), Sr. Ford Sherrington (.362/.425/.472, 11 SB) and 3 other returning starters. On the bump Hendrix returns one of the best arms in Pre Season All American So. Jack Hodgins (5-1, 81 ⅔ IP, 67K:18BB, 2 ERA). Rounding out the rest of the rotation will be So. Andrei Stoyanow (8-2, 52 ⅔ IP, 39K, 2.24 ERA) and Jr. Evan Ingram (61 ⅔ IP, 42K, 4.41 ERA) who Hendrix hopes to see take another step forward in their 2020 season. Rhodes (26-19) will again be in the mix for the SAA title with notable players such as So. Wood Kimbrough (.322/.413/.448) leading the six returning hitters on offense. On the mound Rhodes returns seven arms with significant innings in 2019 including Jr. Jacob Dubs (5-3, 68 IP, 69K, 4.24 ERA).
Berry (28-15) returns four everyday hitters including Sr. OF Zack Walch (.409/.500/.478, 23 SB) and two-way player Spence Johns (.380/.470/.458, 23 ⅓ IP, 16K). Coach Beasley will look to Sr. Ben Coker (4-3 58 ⅓ IP, 40K) and So. Garrett West (5-3, 51 ⅔ IP, 41K) to step up after losing Dylan Beasley to the draft last June.
Centre (24-16) returns two key bats to the lineup in Sr. Will Kirk (.385/.505/.441, 15SB) and Jr. Jordan Gunter (.337/.496/.441, 8 HR). Ogelthorpe (14-30) returns Sr. Austin Jackson (.351/.436/.477) and Sr. Jack Bartlewski (.289/.380/.504, 18XBH) on the offensive side and will turn to Sr. LHP Kyle Babb who makes his return in 2020 along side So. Jonathan Haab (3-6, 58 ⅓ IP,59K) on the mound. Sewanee (21-19) had a key loss in Trey Holland transfering to Denison, but will look for Sr. Chris McNulty (.317/.412/.451) and So. Dalton Buckingham (3-4, 43IP, 32K) to take a step forward in 2020. Millsaps (10-33) returns Jr. Mason Little (.331/.403/.429) but will need a lot of help to compete for the conference title in 2020.
Team to Beat: Birmingham Southern
USA South: LaGrange (32-12) is coming off its fourth straight 30+ win season and their third straight USA South championship and is poised to defend their crown in 2020. The Panther’s offense returns four everyday bats including Jr. Mckinley Evans (.417/.497/.543) and Sr. EJ Churchich (.303/.441/.454). On the mound LaGrange returns five arms with plenty of experience most notably back end relievers Jr. Tanner Chafin (2-1, 4SV, 39 ⅔ IP, 26K, 1.15 ERA) and Sr. Spencer Douches (3-0, 3 SV, 33 ⅔ IP, 36K, 0.54 ERA).
Methodist (32-9) is coming off their second straight 30+ win season, but have not reached the postseason since winning the USA South in 2015. In the lineup Methodist will feature five regulars from the 2020 season including Preseason All American Sr. C Alex Kachler (.412/.485/.667, 7HR), Sr. SS Matthias Carter (.338/.495/.480, 18 SB) and Sr. 3B Tucker Criswell (.364/.451/.574, 26 XBH). The Monarchs return a trio of excellent arms from 2019 with both weekend starters returning in Jr. Tristen Luck (9-0, 68 IP, 45K, 2.25 ERA) and Sr. Tyler Brown (4-1, 57 ⅔ IP, 52K) and go to reliever Jr. Will Walker (7-2, 56 ⅔ IP, 39K, 2.08 ERA). This senior laden team looks to have the pieces to dethrone LaGrange, but will they have enough fire power on the mound to outlast the Panthers in the tournament?
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| LaGrange has average 34 wins a year and an NCAA playoff bid over the last three years. LaGrange athletics photo |
Piedmont (29-10) will have to look for some milk jug magic and have their five returning offensive players step up to the plate after graduating two key pieces to the Lions offense. Most notably they return Sr. SS Evan Meade (.311/.360/.490, 11SB) and Sr. LHP Sam Carpenter (8-1, 83 ⅓ IP, 87K, 3.57 ERA). The Lions also return key arm Sr. David Craft (6-1, 47 ⅓ IP, 58K, 1.72 ERA) after a stellar 2019 season coming out of the pen. The Lions will be right in the mix for the USA South title, but will need their returning core to take a step forward this spring.
Huntington (24-16), N.C. Wesleyan (24-16), Greensboro (22-19) and Maryville (22-17) will look to separate themselves this spring to in their quest for the USA South title. Sr. Wes Powell (.382/.432/.480, 10 SB) returns for Huntington along with their three top arms from 2019 which include Sr. Wallace Henry (5-3, 67 ⅔ IP, 2.95 ERA), Sr. Brooks Freeman (6-3, 72 ⅔ IP, 3.86 ERA) and Sr. Carden Mellown (3-2, 55 ⅔ IP,49K). Mellown had a bit of bad luck with his batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and home run rate in 2019 and will look to return to form for his senior campaign. N.C. Wesleyan will return one of the conferences top bats in Sr. 2B Brad Pennington (.348/.480/.548) and Jr. Drew Tubb (6-0, 53 ⅓ IP, 4.24 ERA). Greensboro returns a trio of offensive threats most notably Sr. C Scotty McGuire (.338/.439/.464) and have Sr. Chenzo Scanio (3-1, 2SV, 47 IP, 38K, 3.83 ERA) coming out of the pen. Maryville returns two stellar arms in Sr. Jordan Davis (3-3, 69 ⅓ IP, 67K, 2.60 ERA) and reliever Sr. Zach Messinger (3-3, 29 ⅔ IP, 32K, 2.77 ERA).
Covenant (17-22), William Peace (9-26) and Averett (8-30) all struggled in 2019, but will look to compete for a spot in USA South tournament in 2020.
Pfeiffer (30-8) and Brevard (10-26) remain ineligible for postseason play, but look for Pfeiffer arm Sr. Nick Richmond (6-0, 55 ⅓ IP, 68K, 2.29 ERA) to turn in another terrific season. So. Bryce Marsh (.376/.493/.615) is a player to watch over the next few seasons. The Tornadoes will return top arm Sr. Kross Robinson (54 ⅔ IP, 60K, 4.48 ERA).
Team to Beat: LaGrange
Independents : Emory (20-19) is led by one of the best two way players in D III in Sr. Richard Brereton (.392/.444/.497, 39 ⅓ IP, 30K). Brereton will look to bounce back after an injury riddled season limited his time last season, but looks to be a potential player to hear his name called in June. In the lineup the Eagles return 5 everyday players including Sr. SS Ryan Adelman (.371/.478/.485, 10 SB). The Eagles pitching staff is young but will turn to Brereton and Jr. Jack Moore (3-3 58 ⅔ IP, 43K) to lead the rotation in hopes of bringing Emory back into the D III playoff landscape once again.