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| Lynchburg will be looking to make it three trip in a row to the DIII World Series in 2021. They finished third in 2024 and first in 2023. d3photography.com photo by Ryan Coleman |
By Jim Dixon
D3sports.com
Region 6 teams made a splash in 2024, putting three teams into the DIII World Series. Birmingham-Southern will not be returning as they are one of four teams that fielded a team in 2024 that saw their college close last year. The hottest conference post COVID is the ODAC with Lynchburg and Randolph-Macon looking to return to the final series in East Lake, Ohio. The three team C2C put two teams into the playoffs in 2024 and every team in 2023. Christopher Newport is the top C2C team in the region (Salisbury is in Region 5) and if they can rebuild their pitching staff, they could be headed to their first DIII World Series since 2012. Centre had a breakout season in 2024 and prognosticators see the Colonels continuing this success into 2025. N.C. Wesleyan rounds out the best of the region.
New Faces
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| After 16 seasons coaching alongside Mike Twardoski, Bobby Perez gets his chance at head coach of the Emory Eagles. Emory athletics photo |
Bobby Perez, Emory - Mike Twardoski, head coach of Emory retired following a tenure of 25 years at the position. Perez, who has been a member of the coaching staff for 16 seasons was promoted to replace him this summer. Perez has been by Twardoski's side for 381 of his victories and helped the team secure seven UAA championships and six NCAA tournament berths, guiding the program to three consecutive trips to the College World Series from 2014-16. Twardoski and Perez have been part of three UAA Coaching Staffs of the Year in 2016, 2022 and 2023 and led the team to a conference record 13 wins in 2023. "I am honored to be chosen as the next head coach," said Perez. "Mike has taken the program to great heights, and I look forward to continuing the great traditions of Emory Baseball. I am thankful that I am entrusted by Coach T, Keiko, and so many within the athletic department at Emory to take this great program."
Eric Owens, Ferrum - Former MLB player, Owens, will guide the Panthers in 2025. Owens' plethora of experiences at the highest levels of the game includes stops at A, AA, AAA, and in the Major Leagues. Owens played baseball three years at Ferrum from 1989-92, as well as football in 1990 and 1991. A two-time All-America first team selection in baseball, Owens was the 1992 NCAA Division III Player of the Year, Ferrum's first and only NCAA Player of the Year, in any sport. "It's an honor to be able to come full circle and back home to Ferrum College," said Owens. "I look forward to working together to build a championship caliber team for the baseball program."
Vinny Carone, Brevard - Carone has been named Interim Head Baseball Coach at Brevard College. Carone steps into the role with the departure of Mike Victory who has been at the helm of the BC Baseball program for the past five seasons. Carone becomes Interim Head Baseball Coach after serving as Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator under Victory since August of 2023. "It has been a lifelong goal of mine to be a college head baseball coach," stated Carone. "To have the opportunity to do it at Brevard College, with this group of men, makes the opportunity even more special. Coach Victory has done more than can be expressed for this program and I look forward to utilizing what he has taught us to take Brevard Baseball to the next level."
Michael Mulvey, Hampden Sydney - Mulvey becomes the 10th head coach of the program since 1960. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native is no stranger to NCAA Division III, having played four years at Marietta and coached two years each at Muskingum University and Misericordia University, and one year at Denison University—each school members of Division III. Mulvey served as the pitching coach at Marietta—one of the most successful programs in Division III baseball with six National Championships—for the past five seasons, helping the Pioneers to an overall record of 152-48, including 71-16 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. "My wife Lindsay and I are extremely excited for this next chapter," explained Mulvey. "Lindsay and I look forward to immersing ourselves in the H-SC community. It's a special place and we look forward to building upon the rich tradition and brotherhood that it instills. We will strive to create a winning culture, and field a competitive program in one of the best Division III athletic conferences in the country."
Brett Kaminski, Roanoke - Formerly the assistant baseball coach and recruiting coordinator at Ferrum College, Kaminski was announced as the new head coach of Roanoke College this summer. Kaminski was a large part in bringing in 65 student-athletes to the Ferrum baseball program the last two years through the recruiting process. Kaminski planned for all team activities, including weightlifting and conditioning, and also served as hitting instructor and outfield coach. "Taking on the role of head coach for Roanoke College baseball is an incredible honor," said Kaminski. "I want to thank the administration for their trust in me, and my family for their constant support. I'm excited to build on this program's strong foundation, instill a culture of hard work and dedication, and lead these young men to new heights. Together, we'll strive for excellence on and off the field."
Conference Previews
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| No. 11 Christopher Newport will have every starter back from a team that lost in the Super-Regional round to the eventual National Champion. Christopher Newport athletics photo |
Coast to Coast Conference: Christopher Newport (29-12) will have some work to do in 2025. The good news is it will not be with the hitters as every player is back for another year. This is a group that hit 50 point better than the opposition. Top players include the middle of the defense in catcher Lincoln Lubsen (.320, 7 HR, 47 RBI) and middle infielders Josh Reinhold (.345, 3 HR, 34 RBI) and Doc Daniels (.323, 5 HR, 37 RBI). The bad news is that pitchers who threw 280 innings last year are gone. Much of the work to rebuild the pitching staff is done in the recruiting of two pitchers from D1 James Madison - Cooper Newell and Chase Hustead. Jackson Baird is also back from an injury so the situation is looking positive for 2025.
Mary Washington (27-13) was the only team in the C2C that did not make the 2024 playoffs but will be in a position to correct that with an starting nine that returns nearly intact after graduation day. Ty Lowe (.389, 3 HR, 48 RBI) is just one hitter out of five who hit .300 or better in 2024. Senior SP Gavin Riley (7-0, 2.48 ERA, 54K) transferred from nearby Richard Bland College and has not lost a game since joining the Eagles. Along with the experience coming back in 2025, 17 new faces will provide depth for a run that should extend into the NCAA playoffs.
Collegiate Conference of the South: Maryville (Tenn.) (30-14) found out a quick start does not always lead to a title. They opened 2023 with 12 straight wins but fell in the conference championship. The Scots started the 2024 season 10-11, before breaking out to go 20-3 to close out the season with a program record for wins and a CSS title win. As the Scots prepare to defend their regular and postseason title in 2025, they will have to deal with the loss of fourteen players to graduation. With an infusion from their recuiting class, the talent level is going to be close to last year. The top offensive starters are OF Colin Dunworth (.344, 5 HR, 30 RBI, 12 SB), C Ashton Whiteaker (.314, 6 HR, 38 RBI) and SS Jacob Johnston (.365, 33 RBI). SP Mitchell Grannen (5-3, 3.82 ERA, 66K) and RP Xavier Resto (5-1, 6 saves, 2.93 ERA, 39K) will head the pitching staff. If a title repeat is not in the cards, 2026 should be special as Maryville has no four-year starters this season.
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| Piedmont closer Braden Simms led the nation in saves with 12 saves in 2024. Piedmont athletics photo |
Belhaven (25-17) will have a solid base of returning position players with a heavy transfer class as part of 29 new faces in 2025. Junior 3B Owen Abney (.350, 10 HR, 600 RBI), the reigning CCS Player of the Year returns and will anchor the lineup and continue to be one of the best run producers in the country. Brett Sanchez has finished adding to his record pitching totals and in his absence Colton Sylvester (7-1, 2.15 ERA, 27K) is expected to front a rotation heavily dependent on transfers. If the big recruiting class meshes with the returning players, this could be a championship season for the Blazers.
Piedmont (25-17) will return 80% of the innings from a top 15 pitching staff nationally in ERA, which included the nations leader in saves - Braden Simms (1-0, 12 saves, 3.15 ERA, 18K). A large senior class should lead the Lions this year combined with some talented freshman in the new recruiting class. Graduate student OF Trace Cate (.374, 39 RBI, 10 SB) was both a top offensive player and with a national gold glove last year, a top fielder. Piedmont, the 2023 CCS champion, is expected to stay at the top of the standings from the start to the finish of the 2025 season.
LaGrange (26-17), Huntingdon 19-20), Covenant (16-26) were all in the conference tournament and only LaGrange made a run, losing in the championship game. Mr. 356, Joe Ruth, closed out his legendary career and with the loss of LaGrange's best hitter ever, what is left are 15 upper classemen on a squad that will be young. Head coach David Kelton has always put a solid team on the diamond and one expects that there are gems in the 2025 freshmen class that will make significant contributions. Berea (6-30) rounded out the 2024 slate. This year the CCS welcomes Asbury (21-19). The Eagles played as an independent team in 2024 and has found a home in the CCS.
Old Dominion Athletic Conference: Randolph-Macon (33-16) ended their season in the DIII World Series and have a shot at making it two in a row. The Yellow Jackets return a vast majority of the lineup and several key arms from last year’s World Series roster. RMC should be competitive in the ODAC and in the conversation nationally. Carter Schmitt (.355, 11 2B, 42 HR) will be the most consistent hitter in the lineup as he will play both in the outfield and infield (1B). RMC will feature a pair of upper classmen in the rotation but the pitching star is relief specialist Sam Slevin (3-2, 11 saves, 3.15 ERA, 38K). In mid March, head coach Ray Hedrick will reach the 500 win mark for his career.
Lynchburg (37-17) also made the D-III World Series in 2024 showing the nation how strong a conference the ODAC is and how resilient a program Lynchburg has evolved into. One can say that making it back to East Lake, Ohio to defend their title was the greater achievement than winning it all in 2023. One of the biggest reason the Hornets made it back to the DIII World Series was the pitching of Wes Arrington. Arrington has graduated and a new ace will need to be found. Nick Mattfield (8-2, 3.56 ERA, 72K) looks ready for the role. Within the seven returning offensive players, our staff recognizes the performance of middle infielders Ben Jones (.330, 3 HR, 49 RBI, 14 SB) and Brandon Garcia (.311, 121 2B, 35 RBI, 29 SB) in 2024. As sophomores, they were as good as their freshmen season and now entering their junior year, should continue to get better. With a big part of the 2024 squad back, it is easy to see why the expectations for Lynchburg is as high as it gets.
Roanoke (26-20) will be under new management this year after a solid second place finish in 2024. Ever since they broke out in 2017, the Maroons have contended in the ODAC despite two coaching changes. Head coach Brett Kaminski has lined up a mix of conference and non-conference games that will test his team's abilities and prepare the team for the demands of ODAC play. Players come and go but a lot of pieces are in the come column. Senior All-Region pitcher Jackson Murphy (5-3, 4.86 ERA, 50K) will anchor the pitching staff in spacious Salem Memorial Ballpark. Hayden Giordano (.343, 15 2B, 42 RBI) enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign and should provide stability at the hot corner for the next three years. Another rookie will give the team something to play for. Sophomore Eddie Kaufman was recently diagnosed with leukemia and as he gets the support of this teammates, this could be the x-factor in getting the team to play to the level required for an ODAC title.
Shenandoah (28-17) has had promise of a special season since they first appeared in the DIII World Series in 2009 and while they have been a top team nationally, it was other ODAC teams that played for a national title. Within the four top teams in 2024, all three other teams have been to the final series since the Hornets last appearance in 2010. Once again Shenandoah will be very talented in 2025, also very inexperienced. Even though the quantity of quality in the pitching staff is high, a lot of pitchers will get innings as head coach Kevin Anderson settles on a rotation. Likewise a lot of guys will see experience in the field with the loss of four guys that are Hall of Fame quality players. Key for the Hornets will be Brody Pickette (.309, 6 HR) who will be a leader on the team and counted on to control the pitching staff from home plate and to hit in the middle of the order.
Bridgewater (Va.) (25-16), Guilford (20-22), Virginia Wesleyan (20-19) and Washington and Lee (16-19) shared a common fate in the 2024 ODAC tournament. They were the lower seed and all were 0-2 against their higher seeded opponent. Guilford breaks out a veteran group on the mound in 2025 headlined by Marcello Ricigliano (4-6, 5.05 ERA, 50K). Riciglano's backstop, Aaron Williams (.278, 5 HR, 332 RBI) will lead the Quakers behind the plate and as part of an experienced offense. Playing fundamental baseball will allow Guilford to compete within the ODAC. Washington and Lee will be physical and young but without a super star heading into the 2025 season. Look for the W&L to be pitching heavy and defensive centered as they navigate through a tough conference schedule.
Hampden-Sydney (16-19), Ferrum (16-23), Eastern Mennonite (10-26), and Averett (10-27) all found themselves at the bottom of the standings. Hampden-Sydney and Ferrum have new head coaches, with the Tigers reaching out and hired an assistant at Marietta and the Panthers looking at MLB and Ferrum alum Eric Owens to guide them. HSC's head coach Michael Mulvey will inherit a veteran group from long-time coach Jeff Kinne but the success will be determined by how the young arms adjust to college baseball. Senior 1B Grayson Harris (.391, 14 RBI, 12 SB) and junior OF Jack Wilson (.304, 4 HR, 25 RBI) are part of an offense that will be somewhat dynamic in how runs are scored. Averett will have a lot of experience in the outfield and behind the plate but young at middle infield. A younger pitching staff that showed promise in the fall will need the Cougars to play good defense behind them. The success of the pitching will rely on Preston Robins (.375, 12 2B, 15 RBI), Averett's senior catcher who should be a star with both the glove and the bat.
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| Ben Prather used his bat and glove to get Centre their first SAA Regular season title. Centre athletics photo by Luke Napier |
Southern Athletic Association: The biggest news in the SAA was the deep playoff run by Birmingham-Southern. The cinderella story ended with a 1-2 record in the 2024 DIII World Series and the team that had dominated the conference is now gone. This leaves the door wide open for the rest of the conference teams. Centre (36-13) was the top team in 2024 and is expected to stay at the top of the standings. Centre is a blend of great returners from a championship team with 19 newcomers. There will be some holes to fill after losing several key components of a championship team but the staff believes they have solutions in the 2025 recruiting class. Ben Prather (.362, 4 HR, 57 RBI, 17 SB; 8-3, 3.58 ERA, 77K) earned his All-American status in 2024. As one of the nations elite dual threats, he will be heading the starting corps and hit in the middle of the lineup. The Colonels are not just a one player team as they have plenty of talent on offense: catcher Evan Weyler (.299, 2 HR, 31 RBI); in the starting rotation: Harrison Cowdrey (6-2, 3.63 ERA, 67K) and in the bullpen: Zach Heavern (6-1, 1 save, 2.77 ERA, 47K).
Berry (28-14) will bring back all but one starter on offense out of the 33 total returning players. The Vikings will be a solid club as they started two freshman last year on the mound hoping they grow into their roles. In addition the whole pen is back this year. Leading the returning players is fifth-year senior RF Nick Brunswick (.387, 28 RBI, 35 R) and 2B Joey Garcia (.414, 33 RBI, 10 SB). The coaching staff are high on sophomore starting pitchers, Jackson Collett (3-1, 4.74 ERA, 11K) and Aubrey Moraitakis (1-4, 6.30 ERA, 34K) and are expecting improved numbers with a year under their belts.
Hendrix (27-19) is coming off their best performance in the SAA tournament and will have some holes to fill in 2025. They saw the graduation of several top players, including their top power hitter. Back this year for his senior year is Drake Job (.389, 46 RBI, 23 SB) who led the team in hitting while knocking in a team-high 46 runs. Standing tall on the mound will be the likes of 6'0" Dylan Kalmus (5-3, 4.22 ERA, 40K). In his freshman season, he started as a mid-week starter and soon moved into the rotation where the Warriors see him delivering weekend wins for the next three seasons.
Rhodes (25-18), along with Centre is getting noticed by the national media. The Lynx will feature a very experienced group of players (seven returning hitters) with some great additions (nin player recruiting class). They should be strong on the mound with three key returning pitchers. First step though is finding a replacement for the 2023 SAA Player of the Year 1B Dante Messina. Ben Daniel has auditioned and is ready to man first base. Tops with the bat is Rhodes' home run king, senior CF Ben Burkhart (.399, 10 HR, 40 RBI) and on the mound junior SP Zac Sohosky (6-3, 3.11 ERA, 82K).
Oglethorpe (17-24), Sewanee (16-25) and Millsaps (14-27) round out the rest of the SAA slate of teams. Millsaps has the largest and deepest roster in some time with no key contributors in 2024 leaving. Last season was a down year with several injuries to their starting pitching staff early but all are healthy and ready for 2025. Key players include graduate student SP Wil Wood (5-4, 3.97 ERA, 87K), junior SP Gavin Tranchina (1-1, 3.68 ERA, 23K), and senior catcher Evan Scott (.297, 4 HR, 28 RBI). On record watch is Wil Woods who will surpass 300 career strikeouts when he rings up number 13 this season.
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| NC Wesleyan first baseman Jackson Hobbes has never hit less than .320 in his four years on the Battlin Bishops' roster. NC Wesleyan athletics photo |
USA South Athletic Conference: North Carolina Wesleyan (36-13) represented the USAC in the playoffs last year, their third trip in four years. To get back to the NCAA playoff round, a young Battlin' Bishops team will have to gain experience early in the year, but the talent and potential there for another championship year. Fifth-year senior 1B Jackson Hobbs (.395, 5 HR, 36 RBI) is the undisputed leader of the program and should have the NCWU all-time hits record and total bases record well before the end of the season. Junior Seth Jones (.154, 12 RBI) will get a chance as the full time catcher and is expected to show significant improvement. On the mound, NCW's top pitchers are SP/RP: Mark Dennunzio (1-0, 6.97 ERA, 25K) and SP Preston Workman (4-0, 4.17 ERA, 22K).
Brevard (22-19) has been consistent over their last three years, winning 21-22 games each year. They are looking to make a big jump with their new head coach Vinnie Carone. They open 2025 with a strong core group on offense that has played together for a long time and won a lot of baseball games. Tops in this core group are almost indistinguishable: Cale Oehler (.342, 7 HR, 46 RBI) and Frankie Vasquez (.340, 6 HR, 53 RBI). They are both hitting addicts and their leadership skills shows when they put their uniform on. On the mound, the Tornados has seen huge strides from their young arms from last year and are looking for Connor Crosby (1-5, 7.24 ERA, 31K) and Jacob Thompson (4-4, 7.49 ERA, 34K) to show improvement in 2025. To augment the staff, Brevard went out and got some strong transfer arms.
Methodist (21-22) head coach Tom Austin will soon be the indisputable dean of DIII coaches as we have seen a number of coaches who have very long tenures announce that 2025 is their last year. Expect Austin to put on the same quality team this year with outstanding defensive, balanced hitting and a team that runs the bases very well. Add into this mix three returning pitchers returning from injury to make his squad good on the mound as well. Sophomore 2B Brandon Mauger (.317, 2 HR, 12 RBI) is expected to start producing more at the plate and display his plus defensive skills. An all senior starting rotation should not be rattled all season long and will enjoy the return of Kyle Molivas (2023 stats: 2-3, 2.73 ERA, 36K). The relief corps, led by graduate student Jackson Hood (0-4, 4 saves, 9.77 ERA, 36K), is also filled with guys with plenty of college baseball already played.
Greensboro (24-19) returns a talented team with quality depth across the board that loves to compete. Conference insiders see junior SS Evan Sykes (.360, 7 HR, 46 RBI) as one of the most talented players in Greensboro history and a potential Plater of the Year. Evan has been a mainstay at shortstop from the moment he stepped on campus and has worked extremely hard to continue improve every single season. Sykes is not just the only star in the making as junior OF Brody Gardner (.395, 36 RBI, 17 SB) is one of the best pure hitters in the country. Every time both of these players are at the plate, it is must see TV. On the mound the best of the Pride will be represented by SP Ian Bast (6-2, 4.56 ERA, 36K) and RP Stephen Dunlow (1-2, 6 saves, 3.47 ERA, 33K). The theme with these four players is that they have two years of eligibility left and if 2025 is not a championship year, look for something special in 2026.
Finishing below .500 in conference were Pfeiffer (21-21), Southern Virginia (14-24), William Peace (14-25), and Mary Baldwin (7-29). Southern Virginia utility player, Zack Geertsen (.405, 4 HR, 38 RBI; 6-3, 4.55 ERA, 28K) was named to the D3baseball.com 2025 Preseason All-American team and if the Knights can surround him with quality hitters and pitcher, you should see that sub .500 record change to a squad that can challenge the best in the conference.
University Athletics Association: Emory (23-15-1) will have a new coach but since Bobby Perez has been with the team for nearly as long as Coach T, continuity will not be a problem. A big power year for Jack Halloran (.392, 6 HR, 44 RBI) could get him a school record in home runs. He currently sits at 20 career home runs just 12 off of the program record. Every championship caliber team always seems to have a strong defensive catcher and Emory checks this box with senior Blake Dincman (.412, 4 HR, 31 RBI). A third senior in Matthew Sicoli (.384, 7 HR, 48 RBI) gives the Eagles a potent trio a the top of the order. SP Josh Zuckerman (5-1, 5.67 ERA, 77K) and RP Bennett Speicher (2-3, 4 saves, 4.68 ERA, 31K) will top the starting rotation and the bullpen pitchers. Getting past Case Western might be a challenge but Emory has the team to do just that.