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| Daiquon Davenport led the Brevard Tornados in runs, doubles and RBIs in 2020. Brevard athletics photo |
By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com
Randolph-Macon was off to its best start in program history and looked like they were the team to beat in the South with Salisbury in their rear view mirror. The Sea Gulls have an impressive streak of NCAA playoff invites and 2020 looked no different. Rhodes was making their move as well and all three are teams to watch in 2021. Birmingham Southern, Emory and Shenandoah were also having their usual success and this should continue into 2021. Teams like Christopher Newport, Hendrix, and Piedmont, that are on various 2021 preseason rankings, could make the same moves as the Yellow Jackets did a year ago.
The question is will they play. The Southern Athletic Association and the USA South have already opened their season right on time with the rest of the conferences in the region slated for a start date in the next week. if you venture out to a game, be aware that the rules for spectators vary from conference to conference and sometimes school to school.
New Faces
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| Craig Bolton is entering his sixth season overall and the first season as the head coach of Pfeiffer. Pfeiffer athletics photo |
Craig Bolton, Pfeiffer: Bolton, a Pfeiffer University alumnus, former student-athlete, and member of the baseball coaching staff since 2015, has been promoted to head baseball coach, the University has announced. A 2015 graduate, Pfeiffer takes over the Falcon program after serving as pitching coach in 2018. He then assumed recruiting coordinator duties in 2019. Prior to that, he served as a student-assistant (2012-15) and volunteer assistant coach (2015-2017). "I have been fortunate to learn under (former head coaches) Dusty Blake and Jordan Stampler in my time here at Pfeiffer," said Bolton. "I can never thank those guys enough for the opportunities that they offered me while being able to grow as a person and a coach. They brought so much passion and knowledge to our program and always put our student-athletes first and I look forward to building upon that."
Avery Booker, Greensboro: Booker was named Greensboro's coach after serving as the program's interim head coach this past season. Booker's squad posted a 10-8 overall record , while positioning themselves towards the top of the USA South Athletic Conference standings after going 4-2 over their first six conference games before the season came to an end. "I am extremely blessed and proud to be the next head baseball coach at Greensboro College," Booker said.
Chris Lewis, Berea: Berea officials announced the hiring of Lewis to take over the Berea program in June. Lewis, who arrives in Berea after two seasons at NCAA Division II Upper Iowa University, as an assistant coach. His responsibilities included overseeing all the hitters and position players. In his first year, UIU offense showed tremendous progress, increasing production in 12 categories. In the shorted 2020 season, UIU's offense was on track to break the program individual and team home run records. "I would like to thank Director Hess and the search committee for giving me an opportunity to lead the Mountaineer baseball program. During the interview process, I knew that Berea was the perfect place to call home for me and especially my family. The mission of Berea College fits into what I believe coaching is about," said Lewis. "I also cannot wait to come back to the bluegrass and start rebuilding the Mountaineer Baseball Program." Lewis has learned under the tutelage of some of the most revered coaches in college baseball. Lewis spent 2009-2014 under legendary coach Beauford Sanders at Campbellsville, an NAIA school in Kentucky. Sanders is 12th on the active list of winningest coaches in NAIA baseball. Lewis also spent a year under head coach Brian Wade, which in the past decade has won more games than any other four-year collegiate program in the state of Iowa regardless of level.
Zach Ullrich, Roanoke: Roanoke officials announced that Ullrich is the new head baseball coach for the Maroons. Ullrich returns to Salem where he served on Matt McGuire's staff that led the Maroons to their first ODAC championship, an NCAA South Regional championship and a Final Four finish at the NCAA Division III World Series. Ullrich returns to Roanoke after a two-year stint at Barton College, NCAA D-II, in Wilson, N.C. While with the Bulldogs, Zach was the top assistant, serving as the pitching and head developmental coach. "I want to thank Scott Allison and the administration for the opportunity to come back (to Roanoke) and coach." Ullrich continued, "This is a very special place to me and I am looking forward to taking over the reins and getting to work."
Conference Previews
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| Justin Meekins enters the season with 15 HR and 99 RBIs as a member of the Salisbury Sea Gulls. Salisbury athletics photo |
Coast to Coast Athletic Conference: Salisbury (8-3) has not missed a NCAA playoff this century with a streak of 20 appearances, the second longest active streak (Cortland has a 26 year active streak) and it is looking like 2021 will be no different. The Sea Gulls will have strong pitching, will be strong defensively, with arguable their best team speed. It is these phases of the game that overcome an offensive line up that will need to be efficient. Jackson Balzan (2-1, 4.15 ERA, 31 K) and Xavier Marmol (0-1, 8.22 ERA, 7 K) will be back as starters with Clayton Dwyer (1-0, 4.66 ERA, 21 K) moving from the bullpen to the starting corps. A favorite of The Podcast About Division III Baseball (check out Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman and what they have to say), Justin Meekins (.371, 12 RBI, 11 SB) will return for a fifth year along with senior shortstop Jimmy Adkins (.273, 8 RBI, 3 SB) to anchor the O.
The main competition to Salisbury in the conference formerly known as the Capital Athletic Conference is Christopher Newport (10-4). The Captains have a storied history including a second and third place finish at the D-III World Series. While other teams are relying on freshmen for depth and fifth-year seniors for experience, they are doing it the old fashion way, promoting underclassmen. You can see this in the pitching staff as Connor Pennell (1-0, 3.27 ERA, 21 K), Dylan Weber (1-0, 3.48 ERA, 25 K), and Aidan Henning (1-0, 1.32 ERA, 13 K) are all sophomore starters. fifth-year senior Teddy Herbert (3-0, 2.57 ERA, 10 K) will bring more experience to the starting staff as the rest of the staff combined. They will be throwing to senior catcher Eric O'Brien (.300, 1 HR, 1 2B, 14 RBI). Keep an eye on Conner Clark (.483, 17 RBI, 12 SB) when the Captains come to bat.
Traditional rivals St. Mary's (Md.) (6-3), Southern Virginia (9-5), and Mary Washington (4-7-1) will vie for conference tournament seeding. New to the conference is Finlandia (0-10) which give the conference a member on the north coast, but Finlandia is playing a WIAC schedule in 2021.
FAVORITE: Salisbury
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| Ryan Duphorn (.294, 25 runs, 9 RBI, 11 SB) will patrol the outfield at Hugh Stephens Field for one last season in 2021. Randolph-Macon athletics photo by Frank Straus |
Old Dominion Athletic Conference: A year ago, Randolph-Macon was just receiving votes in the preseason Top 25 and they rose through the rankings to a second place ranking. Coming off their second place finish, Randolph-Macon (15-1) is the team to bet in the ODAC with eight seniors opting for an extra season in the lemon and black. Matt Nickles (3-0, 2.79 ERA, 54 K) will return as the ace on a pitching staff that returns about 80% of their production from last year's record setting start. Mike Nickles (.338, 12 2B, 13 RBI) was the ODAC Player of the Year in 2019 and will once again occupy the hot corner. The Yellow Jackets will bring an 11-game winning streak to start the season.
Shenandoah (10-2) and Lynchburg (11-4) were the other two teams that received first place nods in the ODAC coaches poll. Shenadoah returns a veteran ballclub with talented newcomers added to the mix and a third straight tournament title could be in the cards. First baseman Keegan Woolford (.463, 22 runs, 20 RBI) is the most dangerous bat in the lineup. Good news for the future is a sophomore laden pitching staff that should only improve as the season advances and stick around for the next three years. For Lynchburg, keep an eye on Brandon Pond (2-1, 1.29 ERA, 20 K) who has the best returning ERA at 1.29 for any starter in the conference. He will be backed up by a pair of excellent relievers in Santiago Meneses (0-0, 2 SV, 3.86 ERA, 9 K) and Grayson Thurman (0-0, 3 SV, 0.67 ERA, 14 K).
Virginia Wesleyan (5-9), Ferrum (11-5), and Hampden-Sydney (12-4) are the rest of the contenders. All three are expected to make the tournament with one, maybe two hosting a first-round best of three match up. Ferrum brings back two players from both sides to bolster their chances in 2021. Josh Greenway (.313, 13 runs, 16 RBI) was an All-ODAC outfielder in 2019 with Will Davis (3-1, 2.67 ERA, 32 K) showing promise on the mound.
Bridgewater (Va.) (11-4), Washington and Lee (10-4), Eastern Mennonite (11-8), Guilford (7-8), Roanoke (7-8), and Emory and Henry (5-9) all fell in the last six of the ODAC coaches poll. If there predictions hold water only two of these teams will make the eight-team end of the season tournament. Washington and Lee will be able to swing the bats with an experienced lineup with depth. It is the pitching staff which is the greatest challenge for the Generals as the staff lost a lot to graduation in 2020. Roanoke will be good on the mound and defensively with Evan Parks (2-1, 2.25 ERA 17 K), and Ryan Cloude (2-0, 3.46 ERA, 16 K) taking the ball each weekend.
FAVORITE: Randolph-Macon
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| Rhodes' Paul Giacomazzi is the youngest player to earn D-III gold glove awards in back-to-back years. Rhodes athletics photo |
Southern Athletic Association: It is not often that leading the SAA summary is a team other than Birmingham-Southern. They have been dominate but Rhodes (16-4) has had their time at the top. What makes Rhodes so special this year is that the team is mostly intact from a top 10 finish in the Top 25 last year. This includes seven in the lineup, a couple starters and the entire bullpen. The key losses are pitchers who remained in school, John Medich at Georgia Tech and Trey Sledge in medical school. Center fielder Paul Giacomazzi (.304, 12 RBI, 4 SB), a two-time ABCA gold glove winner, will leadoff with Chris Penna (.333, 5 HR, 13 RBI) and Wood Kimbrough (.274, 3 HR, 24 RBI) providing the power. Jacob Dubs (3-1, 3.26 ERA, 39 K) is the ace of the staff and when the game is on the line, head coach Jeff Cleanthes will have reliever Alex Garrett (4-0, 2 SV, 2.37 ERA, 13K) on the mound.
Birmingham-Southern (10-6) has missed out of the NCAA playoffs three times since becoming eligible in 2011 and has the conference's best World Series finish, second in 2019. The Panthers will be a veteran group with plenty of depth. It is the offense that be more experienced than the pitching this year. Brian Williams (.324, 7 RBI, 7 SB) is an athletic and versatile player who can play the infield or outfield. The success of Birmingham-Southern will be determined how starters Andy Hammond (2-2, 3.72 ERA, 33 K), Hanan Mauldin (2-1, 4.42 ERA), 15 K), and Ollie Livingston (1-0, 3.18 ERA, 5 K) fare on the mound.
Berry (13-5), and Centre (13-3) also had strong starts last season and will both be near the top of the conference standings in 2021. This year will be a challenge for Centre to build on the momentum from a school record for wins (in 2019) and their start last year. There has been significant growth in the last three years that the Colonels staff look to culminate in a SAA title. Key to their success will be Jake Holloway (.385, 17 RBI, 3-1, 1.40 ERA, 29 K). Holloway, an All-Conference performer on the football team, will play anywhere on the field and should gather the attention of the scouts because of his power at the plate. Jordan Gunter (.333, 10 RBI, 9 SB) and Carson Werrmann (3-0, 1.46 ERA, 34 K) will also play a role in the resurgence of the Colonels.
Sewanee (10-5-1), Hendrix (7-11), and Millsaps (7-11), and Oglethorpe (4-11) round out the rest of the conference. Hendrix is getting some early press with votes in the preseason polls. Whether or not that someone in this group has a breakout season, they are all threats to give the top teams a series loss.
FAVORITE: Rhodes
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| Covenant will host the 2021 USA South baseball tournament on the first two week- ends in May. Covenant athletics photo |
USA South Athletic Conference: Covenant (11-4) and Methodist both were undefeated in conference play in 2020 and they will be near the top again. The USA South tournament is usually played a month ahead of the day they hand out playoff bids but this year it will be on the final weekend of play. Seniors Tyler Moore (.345, 2 HR, 10 RBI), Brooks DuBose (.294, 6 2B, 18 RBI), and Ross Skipper (4-0, 5.40 ERA, 4 K) will give it one more go-around as they take the extra year of eligibility the NCAA granted to student-athletes last spring.
Methodist (12-6) will be ready for the 2021 season as they bring back a majority of a roster that saw its 2020 campaign cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Included among the returners are Will Walker (2-2, 2.48 ERA, 28 K) and Tristen Luck (4.32, 2-0, 21 K) taking their turns on the mound. Outfield Rob Wilkerson (.323, 16 RBI, 11 SB) and infielder Wesley Hall (.260, 6 runs, 8 RBI) return among those that started all 18 games for the Monarchs in 2020. Add in returning infielder Parker Clayton (2019 stats: .311, 20 runs, 17 RBI), who missed the 2020 campaign with an injury, and head coach Tom Austin has a team that will once again challenge for the top spot in the conference.
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| Hawk alumni Joseph Odom made his MLB debut this summer with the Seattle Mariners. Huntingdon athletics photo |
LaGrange (12-5), Huntingdon (9-6), and Piedmont (10-7) are going to challenge Covenant and Methodist. LaGrange once again put together the top ranked recruiting class No. 1 in the Division III, the second straight year for the Panthers. The youth will be a compliment to the leadership of players like Mac Erves (.441, 3 HR, 24 RBI). Piedmont will look to ride the arm of Sam Carpenter (2-1, 0.80 ERA, 39 K) who is on pace to set every significant pitching record for starting pitchers. Sophomore Peyton Irvin (2-0, 2.53 ERA, 20 K) will give the Lions another strong arm who should be around for years to come. Carter Ballstadt (.214, 6 RBI, 4 SB, 1-1, 2 SV, 2.70 ERA) will play centerfield for Piedmont and be available as their top arm among the relieving corps.
Greensboro (10-8), North Carolina Wesleyan (7-10), and William Peace (12-6) form the third tier of contenders. William Peace has shown progress since starting the program in 2014 but has not had a breakout season to join the elites of the conference. Greensboro's last NCAA tournament appearance was in 1998 and has not had a serious run since 2008. NC Wesleyan is the most successful of this trio with a pair of National Championships (1889, 1999) and opened their season with a win against Methodist. The Bishops play three series against the ODAC and these first dozen games will give everyone notice where the Bishops are headed in 2021.
Averett (1-17), Berea (0-0), Brevard (3-15), Maryville (Tenn.) (14-5), and Pfeiffer (6-6) have not earned an NCAA playoff appearance in the last 15 years. Averett has been in the conference longer then the rest of the group combined and have only two .500 or better records in the last 15 year.s The team with the shortest tenure is Berea. A scandal ended their season before it started in 2020 and without any games scheduled this year, looks to continue their sabbatical from baseball. The closest to breaking this drought is Maryville who has posted winning records in each of the last six seasons.
FAVORITE: Covenant
Independent: Emory (11-4) is coming off their last two full seasons where they only won 20 games. 2020 was looking like the Eagles team of old but it is still undetermined whether they will fly in 2021 or wait for the pandemic to pass. The UAA will not have a season this year with each team given the option to play an independent schedule.