By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR.
Editor/Collegiate Baseball

TUCSON, Ariz. — For the sixth time in history, Louisiana St. has captured Collegiate Baseball’s national recruiting championship.

The Tigers have now won titles in 2022, 2018, 2014, 2010, 2007 and 2004.

LSU landed a star-studded class that features 21 newcomers which includes 14 high school, five high-profile NCAA Div. I transfers and two junior college transfers. It marks the first Collegiate Baseball recruiting title for LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson.

He previously helped land the second best recruiting class in the nation in 2010 when he was the associate head coach at the University of San Diego and the third best class as the head coach at Arizona in 2018.

The largest number of 4-year transfers in history took place in 2022 due to the 1-time transfer rule in NCAA Division I. The school with the highest number of NCAA Div. I transfers was 20 at Austin Peay State among its 28-man recruiting class.

It is the 40^th consecutive year Collegiate Baseball has evaluated NCAA Division I recruiting classes.

Athletes who initially signed letters of intent with a school but then signed a pro contract after being drafted do not count in the overall evaluation. Only athletes who came to school this fall are factored in.

“I am really excited about this class,” said LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson.

“This is the best recruiting class I have been a part of in my coaching career. Our coaching staff did a great job as we went after high school players who would be foundational pieces of our team for the future.

“We also went after players who were available in the (NCAA Div. I) Transfer Portal who would make an immediate impact. We had great success there as well.

“We have a nice blend of position players and pitchers.

The five NCAA Division I transfers include:

• 3B Tommy White (transfer from N.C. State). He was named Collegiate Baseball’s Freshman National Player of The Year in 2022 after hitting .362 with 27 homers, 12 doubles and 74 RBI. He set an NCAA freshman record for homers in a season and had 26 multi-hit games and 19 multi-RBI outings as he finished the season on a 26-game reached base streak. He also was a member of CB’s main All-American team.
• RHP/C/DH Paul Skenes (transfer from Air Force). Skenes was Collegiate Baseball’s Co-Freshman Player of The Year in 2021 after hitting .410 with 11 homers, 21 doubles and 43 RBI. As a pitcher, the 6-foot-6, 235-pound righthander posted 11 saves and a 2.70 ERA. Last season, he hit .314 with 13 homers, 10 doubles and 38 RBI. On the mound as a starter, he was 10-3 with a 2.73 ERA and struck out 96 batters with 30 walks. Skenes was a first team Collegiate Baseball All-American in 2021 and 2022. His fastball has topped out at 100 mph. He also is a skilled catcher.
• RHP Thatcher Hurd (transfer from UCLA). He made nine appearances as a freshman at UCLA last season and posted a 2-0 record and 1.06 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 34 innings. He limited opponents to a .138 batting average. His fastball touches 96 mph.
• RHP Christian Little (transfer from Vanderbilt). Little has pitched the past two seasons at Vanderbilt. He made 32 appearances (14 starts) and posted a 4.65 ERA with 95 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings. His fastball touched 98 mph last season.
• INF Ben Nippolt (transfer from Virginia Commonwealth). He was a first team Atlantic 10 Conference pick last season at second base as he hit .308 with 9 doubles and 31 RBI. He had an on-base percentage of .430 with 31 walks and 8 hit by pitches.

Other members of the recruiting class include:

• C Brady Neal (IMG Academy, FL), a 17^th round  pick by Brewers.
• RHP Jaden Noot (Sierra Canyon H.S., CA), 19^th round pick by Brewers.
• RHP Micah Bucknam (Mennonite Ed Institute, Canada), 16^th round pick by Blue Jays in 2021.
• SS Gavin Guidry (Barbe H.S, LA), member 2021 18U Team USA national squad.
• RHP Chase Shores (Lee H.S. TX), No. 1 RHP in Texas.
• OF Paxton Kling (Central H.S., PA), member of 2021 18U USA national team.
• LHP Nic Bronzini (California H.S., CA), All-State.
• LHP Griffin Herring (Southlake Carroll H.S., TX), All-State.
• LHP Nate Ackenhausen (Eastern Oklahoma J.C.), 8-1, 89 strikeouts, 14 BB.
• C Jared Jones (Walton H.S., GA), All-American, No. 1 ranked catcher in Georgia.
• RHP Aiden Moffett (Taylorsville H.S., MS), No. 1 ranked RHP in Mississippi.
• C/1B Ethan Frey (Rosepine H.S., LA).
• RHP Kaleb Applebey (Wabash Valley C.C.).
• OF Zeb Ruddell (Neville H.S., LA), No. 1 outfielder in Louisiana.
• OF Mic Paul (Olympus H.S., UT), No. 1 ranked outfielder in Utah.
• LHP DJ Primeaux (Central H.S., LA), No. 1 LHP in Louisiana.

NOTE: A complete rundown on the top 25 recruiting classes is featured in the Oct. 1, 2021 issue of Collegiate Baseball. A chart also breaks down the top 50 classes in the nation as far as total number of new players for each school and how many freshmen, junior college and 4-year transfers were brought in. A record number of players were landed by ranked teams from the NCAA Div. I transfer portal. It also lists 76 other teams that received votes. To purchase this issue or subscribe, CLICK HERE.

Collegiate Baseball’s
Top 50 Recruiting Classes

1. Louisiana St.                     
2. Mississippi St.                                                           
3. Arkansas                           
4. Mississippi                        
5. Georgia Tech.                   
6. Louisville                                                                   
7. Texas A&M                       
8. Auburn
9. Texas Christian                 
10. Texas Tech.
11. Tennessee                                                                
12. Florida St.                         
13. Virginia                              
14. Vanderbilt                          
15. Miami (Fla.)                       
16. Alabama
17. Clemson
18. South Carolina
19. Oklahoma St.
20. North Carolina
21. Florida
22. Texas
23. N.C. State
24. Duke
25. Virginia Tech.
26. Oklahoma
27. West Virginia
28. Southern Mississippi
29. Oregon St.
30. Long Beach St.
31. Wichita St.
32. Georgia
33. Coastal Carolina
34. Oregon
35. Indiana
36. Stanford
37. Baylor
38. Arizona
39. Arizona St.
40. Jacksonville
41. UCLA
42. East Carolina
43. Kentucky
44. U.C. Santa Barbara
45. Connecticut
46. Cal. St. Fullerton
47. Purdue
48. San Diego
49. Georgia St.
50. Kennesaw St.

Previous NCAA Div. I
Recruiting Champions
By Collegiate Baseball

2021: UCLA
2020: Miami (Fla.)
2019: Vanderbilt
2018: Louisiana St.
2017: Vanderbilt
2016: Arizona St.
2015: Florida
2014: Louisiana St.
2013: Florida
2012: Vanderbilt
2011: South Carolina
2010: Louisiana St.
2009: Florida
2008: Arizona St.
2007: Louisiana St.
2006: South Carolina
2005: South Carolina
2004: Louisiana St.
2003: North Carolina
MMMlSouth Carolina
2002: Georgia Tech.
2001: Southern California
2000: Cal. St. Fullerton
1999: Southern California
1998: Georgia Tech.
1997: UCLA
1996: Texas A&M
1995: Arizona St.
1994: Mississippi St.
1993: Miami (Fla.)
1992: Florida St.
1991: Miami (Fla.)
1990: Arizona
1989: Florida St.
1988: Miami (Fla.)
1987: Stanford
1986: Stanford
1985: Hawaii
1984: Florida St.
1983: Arizona St.

Source: Collegiate Baseball

The post LSU Lands No. 1 Recruiting Class In USA appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

HOUSTON, Tex. — Dr. Susan Chon is a professor of dermatology and director of the Skin Cancer Screening and Education Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Tex. MD Anderson is one of the top medical facilities in the world in dealing with cancer.

Dr. Chon explains how baseball coaches and players can protect themselves from the sun in this special question and answer session with Collegiate Baseball.

By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR.
Editor/Collegiate Baseball

COLLEGIATE BASEBALL: Louisville Head Coach Dan McDonnell has run the numbers and has been in the sun 45,000 hours during his 30-year coaching career. Many veteran baseball coaches have similar exposure hours. Because people have not protected themselves adequately against the sun, they have faced serious skin damage with pre-cancerous lesions taken off and even died from melanoma cancer. What is a great strategy for minimizing the damaging effects of the sun for baseball players and coaches in amateur and pro baseball?

SUSAN CHON: In previous years prior to COVID-19 during spring training with the Houston Astros in Florida, we did screenings of players and coaches in their organization and educated people about the damaging effects of the sun to exposed sun. A lot of NCAA sports are outdoors. We try to impress on athletes and coaches to do whatever they can to minimize the sun exposure on the most sensitive areas such as the face, arms, hands, ears and neck. You can’t avoid sun exposure with practices and games being outdoors. But they can put on zinc oxide based sun screen. It doesn’t sting, and there are no fumes because it is not a chemical. It is water resistant and stays in place easily. If people can put this on their face, ears, neck as well as their arms and front and back of hands, it will help tremendously. We also do a lot with the PGA tour as well.

CB: Dan McDonnell firmly believes that the top of baseball caps offer little protection against the harmful rays of the sun. All you have to do is look through the top, underside of a baseball cap in the sun. You will see light coming through holes. He backs up his claim by saying that too many coaches in baseball have had pre-cancerous growths on their skull taken off. Is the skull protected enough with typically baseball caps that are worn by players and coaches in the game?

CHON: If the main portion of baseball caps are made of a solid material and not mesh, athletes and coaches are protected to an extent. If a mesh material is used, then yes, you will be able to see through it easily. The most important thing is using UPF 50 clothing and hats if possible. A lot of the jerseys used are probably thick enough. In golf, players have been using Solar Sleeves when they practice. It essentially is thin, stretchable UPF 50 rated material that covers open arms all the way from the wrist to the mid to upper arm. You can get them in any color. Golfers wear their regular golf shirt and then put on Solar Sleeves for sun protection. When they are finished with their round of golf, they walk off the course and pull off their Solar Sleeves. Unlike sunscreen, there is no mess, no grease or tacky feeling on the skin. Some golfers and caddies really like it. There are golfers who feel quite comfortable with them over their arms because their skin doesn’t burn. This material blocks the sun the entire time they are out golfing. It definitely offers sun protection that doesn’t sweat off. Baseball players and coaches can easily use these sleeves which offers sun protection when they are in the sun. You can find them at www.amazon.com

CB: Many years ago, it was popular in baseball for outfielders to wear flip sunglasses. Then it became common for outfielders to wear regular sunglasses in blinding sun areas when catching fly balls. Phil Nevin, the first player picked in the 1992 MLB Draft from Cal. St. Fullerton, was a trend setter. He began wearing Oakley Radar EV sunglasses when he played in the field and also batted. It quickly caught on. You also began seeing a lot of coaches wearing sunglasses. Should coaches and players be wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun and possibly see better at the same time? Different colored lenses are better suited for different sun conditions.

CHON: Sunglasses are big in professional golf. The name a lot of pro golfers utilize is called Maui Jim which has a lot of lens colors which cuts the green and allows you to see balls better. Plus, they are light weight. The Maui Jims are also polarized. They are excellent for outdoor activity. A lot of baseball players don’t use sunglasses because they may interfere with their game. I don’t know how coaches feel about players using sunglasses as well.

To read more of this story, purchase the Sept. 2, 2022 edition of Collegiate Baseball or subscribe by CLICKING HERE. The Sept. 2 edition includes three stories on the subject of Skin Cancer & Coaching. It includes the main report, a special feature about the University of Louisville’s Dan McDonnell and his skin protection advice after spending 45,000 hours in the sun over 30 years of coaching. In addition, we include a special question and answer session with one of the top dermatologists in the nation in Dr. Susan Chon of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Tex. who explains how to battle the sun with important tips, including clothing, protective sleeves and hats.

The post Top Dermatologist Explains How To Battle Sun appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR.
Editor/Collegiate Baseball

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Skin cancer can kill. Former Southern Illinois Head Coach Dan Callahan lost his life battling neurotropic melanoma skin cancer in 2010.

Gonzaga associate head baseball coach Danny Evans died last April at the age of 41 from stage 4 melanoma cancer.

Head Coach Paul Keyes of Virginia Commonwealth also died of skin cancer in 2012.

Florida Gulf Coast University baseball coach Dave Tollett received a big scare after a biopsy was performed on a large bump near his right nostril in 2012.

The biopsy revealed basil cell carcinoma. Tollett had the tumor removed and endured 15 stitches.

Over the years, thousands of veteran coaches have suffered serious skin damage and even died from being in the sun an insane number of hours over a lifetime as a coach.

Louisville Head Baseball Coach Dan McDonnell estimates that he has spent 45,000 hours in the sun during his 30-year coaching career.

Collegiate Baseball estimates that the typical college coach has played baseball from the age of 8-21 and has spent an additional 8,100 hours in the sun. 

When you add it up, veteran coaches with 30 years of experience have spent approximately 53,000 hours in the sun when adding their playing days to the number of years they have coached.

No wonder the skin of veteran coaches in outdoor sports looks leathery and damaged.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.

Consider these important facts:

• According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
• More than two people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour while more than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
• More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined.
• More than 5,400 people worldwide die of non-melanoma skin cancer every month.
• An estimated 197,700 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2022. An estimated 7,650 people will die of melanoma in 2022.
• On average, a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns. Just one blistering sunburn in childhood or adolescence more than doubles a person’s chances of developing melanoma later in life.
• Regular outdoor use of an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen reduces the risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent.
• People who use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher daily show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen daily.
• An estimated 90 percent of skin aging is caused by the sun.
• Sun damage is cumulative. Only about 23 percent of lifetime exposure occurs by the age of 18.
• All skin cancers – basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma – are caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

The more years you are involved in the game of baseball, the greater the risk of skin cancer.

Since Collegiate Baseball was started in 1958, we have come in contact with thousands of veteran baseball coaches who have sustained serious skin damage since they work in the sun countless hours each year.

Of those, many have had cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions taken off their arms, face, neck and other body parts by freezing them with liquid nitrogen, surgically cutting out cancerous tissue, utilizing radiation or chemotherapy and also destroying skin cancer cells with a combination of laser light and drugs (see below for entire treatments).

In short, it can be hell going through such treatment.

Treat options for skin cancer and pre-cancerous skin lesions vary, depending on the size, type, depth and location of the lesions.

To read more of this story, purchase the Sept. 2, 2022 edition of Collegiate Baseball or subscribe by CLICKING HERE. The Sept. 2 edition includes three stories on the subject of Skin Cancer & Coaching. It includes the main report, a special feature about the University of Louisville’s Dan McDonnell and his skin protection advice after spending 45,000 hours in the sun over 30 years of coaching. In addition, we include a special question and answer session with one of the top dermatologists in the nation in Dr. Susan Chon of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Tex. who explains how to battle the sun with important tips, including clothing, protective sleeves and hats.

The post Special Report: Skin Cancer & Coaching appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

TUCSON, Ariz. — The 2022 Collegiate Baseball Freshmen All-American team, powered by Diamond Sports, features a wealth of baseball talent.

The squad is headed by Collegiate Baseball’s National Co-Freshmen Players of The Year in DH Tommy White (N.C. State) and RHP Chase Burns (Tennessee)

Here is the 2022 Collegiate Baseball Freshmen All-American team.

Starting Pitchers

RHP Chase Burns (Tennessee): Collegiate Baseball’s Co-National Freshman Player of The Year, he was a second team Southeastern Conference selectin and member of the All-Freshmen team in the SEC.

Burns posted an 8-1 record, 2.69 ERA and struck out 98 batters with 24 walks over 73 2/3 innings.

LHP Ryan Feczko (Davidson): A second team Atlantic-10 pick and Rookie of The Year in the league, Feczko had a 10-0 record, 3.21 ERA and struck out 60 batters with 20 walks over 73 innings.

RHP Drue Hackenberg (Virginia Tech.): A first team ACC pick and member of the ACC All-Freshmen team, Hackenberg posted a 10-2 record, 2.83 ERA and struck out 80 batters with 15 walks over 86 innings.

RHP Ryan Gallagher (U.C. Santa Barbara): Named Freshman Pitcher of The Year in the Big West and a second team Big West pick, Gallagher was 8-0 with a 3.00 ERA and struck out 60 batters with 28 walks over 78 innings.

RHP Jacob Kmatz (Oregon St.): Kmatz posted an 8-1 record, 3.89 ERA and struck out 64 batters with 19 walks over 74 innings.

LHP Blake Morgan (Old Dominion): Named Freshman of The Year in Conference USA and a first team all-league pick, he was 8-0 with a 1.69 ERA and struck out 66 batters with only 8 walks in 69 1/3 innings.

LHP Devin Futrell (Vanderbilt): A member of the SEC All-Freshmen team, Futrell struck out 60 batters with 11 walks over 57 1/3 innings and posted an 8-3 record with a 3.77 ERA.

LHP Carter Holton (Vanderbilt): Holton posted an 8-3 record, 3.15 ERA and struck out 92 batters with 29 walks over 74 1/3 innings. He was a member of the SEC All-Freshmen team.

RHP Daniel Avita (Grand Canyon): Named Pitcher of The Year in the WAC and Freshman of The Year in the league, Avita struck out 107 batters with 16 walks and posted an 8-4 record and 3.59 ERA in 82 2/3 innings.

RHP Drew Beam (Tennessee): A second team SEC selection and member of the All-Freshmen SEC squad, Beam posted an 8-1 record, 2.60 ERA and fanned 60 batters with 17 walks over 72 2/3 innings.

RHP Ian Cooke (Connecticut): Cooke had a 7-1 record, 3.33 ERA and struck out 50 batters with 15 walks over 48 2/3 innings. He also posted 1 save.

RHP Landon Gartman (Memphis): A first team American Athletic selection and Newcomer Pitcher of The Year in the league, Gartman was 7-1 with a 3.56 ERA and struck out 94 batters with 29 walks over 86 innings.

LHP Shea Sprague (Elon): A first team Colonial Athletic Association pick and Co-Rookie of The Year in the league, Sprague posted a 6-3 record, 1.89 ERA and struck out 41 batters with 13 walks over 62 innings.

LHP Garrett Horn (Liberty): A second team Atlantic Sun pick and member of the All-Freshmen team in the league, Horn was 6-1 with a 1.93 ERA and fanned 80 batters with 24 walks over 51 1/3 innings.

RHP RJ Sales (N.C. Wilmington): A first team Colonial Athletic Association pick and member of the All-Rookie team in the league, Sales was 6-1 with a 3.52 ERA and struck out 59 batters with 37 walks.

LHP Vincent Spizzoucco (Central Connecticut St.): Named Rookie of The Year in the Northeast Conference and a second team All-League pick, he posted a 6-2 record, 3.77 ERA, 3 saves and fanned 61 batters with 21 walks over 57 1/3 innings.

LHP Zach Garcia (Texas A&M-Corpus Christi): A second team Southland pick, he posted a 6-3 record with 2 saves, 3.86 ERA and struck out 65 batters with 19 walks over 67 2/3 innings.

LHP Hagen Smith (Arkansas): An All-Freshmen SEC selection, Smith struck out 74 batters with 37 walks and posted a 6-2 record and 4.85 ERA over 66 2/3 innings.

LHP Jack Findlay (Notre Dame): Fidlay posted a 5-2 record, 2.31 ERA and struck out 39 batters with 11 walks over 35 innings.

LHP Hunter Elliott (Mississippi): A member of the SEC All-Freshmen team, Elliott struck out 82 batters with 30 walks in 17 appearances and 9 starts. He posted a 3-3 record and 3.17 ERA.

Relief Pitchers/Closers

Alonzo Tredwell (UCLA): A first team Pac-12 pick, Tredwell posted 6 saves, 3-1 record, 2.14 ERA and struck out 56 batters with 5 walks over 42 innings in 23 appearances.

Ethan Flanagan (UCLA): A first team Pac-12 selection, Flanagan fanned 72 batters with 25 walks in 24 appearances as he posted a 3-0 record with 2 saves and a 3.51 ERA.

Ryan Brown (Oregon St.): A first team Pac-12 pick, Brown posted 9 saves, 4-1 record and struck out 33 batters with 12 walks over 29 1/3 innings.

Dylan Ray (Alabama): An All-Freshmen SEC pick, Ray posted 8 saves in 18 appearances and struck out 49 batters with 15 walks and had a 4.60 ERA.

Landon Kruer (Navy): Kruer posted 7 saves, 2-1 record and 1.89 ERA over 19 innings as he struck out 17 batters in 16 appearances.

Peyton Consigli (Canisius): Named the Relief Pitcher and Rookie of The Year in the MAAC, he posted 7 saves, 4-2 record, 3.15 ERA and struck out 53 batters with 21 walks in 22 appearances.

Carter Lovasz (William & Mary): A second team Colonial Athletic Association pick and member of the All-Rookie team, Lovasz had 5 saves, 2-1 record, 2.94 ERA and struck out 41 batters with 12 walks in 16 appearances.

Brady Tygart (Arkansas): A member of the All-Freshmen SEC team, Tygart posted 8 saves, 2.62 ERA and fanned 48 batters with 17 walks over 20 appearances.

Matt Ager (U.C. Santa Barbara): A second team Big West pick, Ager posted 5 saves, 2-0 record, 2.92 ERA and fanned 41 batters with 22 walks over 23 appearances.

Andrew Ronne (East Tennessee St.): A member of the All-Freshmen team in the Southern Conference, Ronne was 5-0 with a 2.97 ERA in 18 appearances and had 31 strikeouts with 18 walks.

Blake Purnell (Florida): Purnell posted 4 saves, 3-3 record and 2.50 ERA over 35 appearances and fanned 39 batters with 14 walks.

Brody Brecht (Iowa): A member of the Big Ten All-Freshmen team, Brecht fanned 44 batters with 25 walks over 22 2/3 innings and 17 appearances with a 3.18 ERA. His fastball was clocked at 101 mph.

Ryan Harland (Louisiana Tech.): A second team Conference USA pick and member of the All-Freshmen team in the league, Harland was 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA and struck out 46 batters with 6 walks over 18 appearances.

Cade Austin (South Carolina): Austin posted a 5-2 record with 2 saves, 3.17 ERA and struck out 55 batters with 19 walks over 27 appearances.

Matt McShane (Saint Joseph’s): McShane was 6-0 with 2 saves and a 2.40 ERA as he fanned 51 batters with 16 walks over 20 appearances.

Dominic Stagliano (Stetson): A member of the Atlantic Sun All-Freshmen team, Stagliano was 5-0 with 2 saves, 3.21 ERA and struck out 55 batters with 12 walks over 18 appearances.

Jay Woolfolk (Virginia): Woolfolk posted a 3-0 record, 3.00 ERA and struck out 53 batters with 19 walks over 27 appearances.

Ryan Brown (Ball St.): Named Freshman Pitcher of the Year in the Mid-American Conference and a second team selection, Brown was 4-2 with a 2.14 ERA and struck out 65 batters with 38 walks over 20 appearances.

Catchers

Owen Carapellotti (Georgetown): A member of the Big East All-Freshmen team, Carapellotti belted 18 doubles, 8 homers and hit .282 with 38 RBI.

Ryan Stafford (Cal. Poly): A first team Big West pick, Stafford hit 16 doubles, 3 homers and collected 33 RBI as he hit .321.

Hudson White (Texas Tech.): Named Freshman of The Year in the Big 12 and a second team All-League selection, White hit .265 with 6 homers, 10 doubles and 39 RBI.

Canyon Brown (N.C. A&T): A member of the Big South All-Freshmen team and an Honorable Mention All-League pick, Brown hit .276 with 7 homers, 10 doubles, 3 triples and 36 RBI.

Andrew Sundean (Central Florida): A second team American Athletic selection, Sundean hit .378 with 4 homers, 6 doubles and 22 RBI.

First Basemen

Donovan Cash (Kennesaw St.): Named Freshman of The Year in the Atlantic Sun and a second team All-League pick, he hit .356 with 10 homers, 20 doubles and 57 RBI.

Jacob Walsh (Oregon): Walsh hit .299 with 18 doubles, 6 homers and 38 RBI.

Nick Kurtz (Wake Forest): A third team ACC pick and member of the All-Freshmen ACC team, Kurtz hit .356 with 15 homers, 14 doubles and 54 RBI.

Brock Tibbitts (Indiana): A member of the All-Freshmen team in the Big Ten, Tibbitts hit .266 with 13 doubles, 9 homers and 43 RBI.

Breck Nowik (Illinois-Chicago): A second team Horizon pick and member of the All-Freshmen team in the league, Nowik hit .335 with 14 doubles, 9 homers and 42 RBI.

Blake Burke (Tennessee): A member of the SEC All-Freshmen team, Burke hit .358 with 12 homers, 3 doubles and 30 RBI.

Second Basemen

Ethan Gourson (UCLA): Gourson hit .294 with 22 doubles, 3 homers and 42 RBI as he swiped 7 of 8 bases.

Travis Bazzana (Oregon St.): A first team Pac-12 selection, Bazzana hit .315 with 14 doubles, 4 homers, 4 triples and 42 RBI. He also swiped 9 of 11 bases.

Nolan Tucker (Valparaiso): Named a first team Missouri Valley Conference selection, Tucker hit .365 with 14 doubles, 1 homer and 17 RBI.

Logan Beard (Louisville): A member of the All-Freshmen team in the ACC, Beard hit .309 with 11 doubles, 4 homers and 48 RBI.

Third Basemen

Josh Pyne (Indiana): Named to the All-Freshmen team in the Big Ten, Pyne hit .327 with 20 doubles, 6 homers and 57 RBI.

Nick Wang (Holy Cross): Named Rookie of The Year in the Patriot League, Wang hit .369 with 18 doubles, 3 homers and 21 RBI. He reached base in 37 consecutive games.

Anthony DePino (Rhode Island): A member of the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, DePino hit .281 with 16 homers, 9 doubles and 39 RBI. He set a new program record for walks with 41.

Randall Diaz (Indiana St.): Diaz hit .304 with 17 doubles, 7 homers and 37 RBI.

Cade McGee (Gonzaga): Named Freshman of The Year in the West Coast Conference, he also was an Honorable Mention pick in the league as he hit .300 with 15 doubles, 10 homers and 30 RBI.

Payton Green (N.C. State): Green hit .256 with 12 doubles, 7 homers and 39 RBI. He also was 10-for-10 in stolen bases.

Luke Heefner (Dallas Baptist): Named Freshman of The Year in the Missouri Valley Conference and a second team All-League pick, Heefner hit .293 with 11 doubles, 7 homers and 28 RBI. He also swiped 11 of 14 bases.

Carson DeMartini (Virginia Tech.): Named to the All-Freshmen team in the ACC, DeMartini hit .333 with 13 homers, 12 doubles and 39 RBI.

Shortstops

Cody Schrier (UCLA): A first team Pac-12 selection, Schrier hit .293 with 18 doubles, 9 homers and 28 RBI. He swiped 11 of 15 bases.

Caleb Ketchup (Lipscomb): Named Defensive Player of The Year in the Atlantic Sun and a member of the All-Freshmen team in the league, Ketchup hit .284 with 15 doubles, 5 homers and 24 RBI. He stole 32 of 35 bases.

Austin St. Laurent (Appalachian St.): Named Freshman of The Year in the Sun Belt, St. Laurent hit .305 with 13 doubles, 4 homers, 3 triples and 25 RBI.

Nick Rodriguez (Charleston Southern): Rodriguez hit .384 with 5 doubles, 1 homer and 18 RBI in only 73 at-bats. He also was 4-for-4 in stolen bases.

Outfielders

Keaton Anthony (Iowa): Named Freshman of The Year in the Big Ten and a second team All-League pick, Anthony hit .361 with 22 doubles, 14 homers and 55 RBI.

Dylan Nevar (Western Michigan): Named Freshman of the Year in the Mid-American Conference, Nevar hit .325 with 20 doubles, 11 homers and 49 RBI.

Vance Honeycutt (North Carolina): A third team ACC selection and member of the All-Freshmen team in the league, Honeycutt hit .279 with 19 homers, 9 doubles, 4 triples and 44 RBI. He also was 28-for-32 in stolen bases.

Cam Fisher (Charlotte): A second team Conference USA pick and member of the All-Freshmen team, Fisher hit .288 with 18 homers, 17 doubles and 60 RBI.

Tommy Barth (East Tennessee St.): Named Freshman of The Year in the Southern Conference and a first team All-League pick, Barth hit .369 with 16 doubles, 6 homers and 38 RBI.

OF Hunter Hines (Mississippi St.): Named to the All-Freshmen team in the SEC, Hines hit .300 with 16 homers, 13 doubles and 52 RBI.

Kennedy Jones (N.C. Greensboro): A second team pick in the Southern Conference and an All-Freshmen selection, Jones hit .374 with 16 doubles, 11 homers, 4 triples and 73 RBI.

Carson Paetow (Southern Mississippi): An All-Freshmen selection in Conference USA, Paetow hit .291 with 15 doubles, 13 homers and 45 RBI.

Carter Mathison (Indiana): A member of the All-Freshmen Big Ten team, Mathison hit .273 with 19 homers, 11 doubles and 58 RBI. He also was 8-for-10 in stolen bases.

Enzo Apodaca (Gonzaga): An Honorable Mention pick in the West Coast Conference and a member of the All-Freshmen team in the league, Apodaca hit .272 with 19 doubles, 3 homers, 2 triples and 43 RBI. He also was 8-for-12 in stolen bases.

Jaime Ferrer (Florida St.): Named to the All-Freshmen team in the ACC, Ferrer hit .315 with 16 doubles, 8 homers and 39 RBI.

Casey Saucke (Virginia): A member of the All-Freshmen ACC team, Saucke hit .356 with 14 doubles, 7 homers, 3 triples and 44 RBI.

Spencer Nivens (Missouri St.): A second team Missouri Valley selection, Nivens hit .352 with 12 doubles, 9 homers and 48 RBI.

Mark Wolbert (U.C. Davis): A first team Big West pick, he was also named Freshman of The Year in the league as he hit .351 with 10 doubles, 2 homers, 3 triples and 15 RBI.

Tyler Sorrentino (College of Charleston): Named Co-Rookie of The Year in the Colonial Athletic Association and a second team All-League pick, Sorrentino hit .284 with 8 doubles, 4 triples, 1 homer and 32 RBI. He also swiped 15 of 18 bases.

Jacob Humphrey (UMass Lowell): A second team selection in the America East and All-Rookie pick, Humphrey was second in the nation with 46 stolen bases in 47 attempts. He hit .337 with 2 homers, 6 doubles, 3 triples and 23 RBI. He scored 50 runs with an on-base percentage of .456.

OF AJ Guerrero (Washington): Guerrero hit 10 homers with 14 doubles and 42 RBI for the Huskies as he started 56 games and hit .299.

Designated Hitters

Tommy White (N.C. State): Named Collegiate Baseball’s Co-Freshmen National Player of The Year, White had a remarkable season as he belted 27 home runs with 12 doubles and 74 RBI as he hit .362 with 85 hits.

He was a first team ACC selection as well as Freshman of The Year in the league. His 27^th home run broke the NCAA freshman record.

It was a record that stood for 32 years and was previously held by Georgia Southern’s Todd Green in 1990.

Evin Sullivan (Binghamton): Named Rookie of The Year in the America East and a first team All-League selection, he hit .350 with 14 doubles, 7 homers and 41 RBI.

Caleb Lomavita (California): A first team Pac-12 pick, Lomavita hit .272 with 10 doubles, 7 homers and 46 RBI. He also was 15-for-17 in stolen bases.

Jeremiah Jenkins (Maine): A second team America East pick, Jenkins hit .284 with 7 homers, 7 doubles, 3 triples and 27 RBI.

Jacob Tobias (Arizona St.): A first team Pac-12 selection, Tobias hit .273 with 9 doubles, 7 homers and 29 RBI.

Multiple Position Athletes

Braden Montgomery (Stanford): Named Freshman of The Year in the Pac-12, Montgomery hit .301 with 16 homers, 15 doubles and 49 RBI. As a pitcher, he posted 2 saves in 14 appearances and struck out 25 batters in 17 innings.

Noah Sullivan (S.C. Upstate): Named Freshman of The Year in the Big South and a second team All-League selection, Sullivan hit .303 with 9 doubles, 3 homers and 42 RBI. As a pitcher, he was 6-0 with a 3.31 ERA and struck out 26 batters with 11 walks over 32 2/3 innings.

To purchase the June 17, 2022 edition of Collegiate Baseball or subscribe, CLICK HERE. This edition includes the complete Freshmen All-American layout with photos and will also include the regular Collegiate Baseball All-American team with an in-depth story on Collegiate Baseball’s National Player of The Year Ivan Melendez of Texas. Plus, our High School All-Americans are featured along with much more in our College World Series preview edition.

About Diamond Sports
Diamond Sports manufactures high quality baseball and softball products for all levels. Diamond Sports is based in Southern California and is proud to be the Official Ball of many great college conferences, as well as leagues, tournaments and organizations nationwide. Diamond is the Official Ball of the American Baseball Coaches Association. You can find Diamond on the internet at diamond-sports.com

The post Collegiate Baseball Freshmen All-Americans appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

MISENHEIMER, N.C. — Pfeiffer University made history as it became the first college team to hit for the home run cycle in one inning.

In a 17-2 win over Averett, Pfeiffer’s offense went on a hitting spree in the fourth inning.

The Falcons sent 18 batters to the plate and scored 14 runs, including hitting for the home run cycle, in order.

Jackson Leck belted a solo shot for the first homer of the inning.

Landon Evans followed with his first career home run, a two-run shot that put Pfeiffer up 6-2.

Several batters later, Austin Morton followed with a three-run homer to make it 9-2.

Later in the inning, with bases loaded, Morton came to the plate again and lifted a grand slam to left field to push the score to 16-2.

According to available college records on all levels, this feat has never been documented in collegiate baseball at any level.

The Falcons won all three of its games against Averett.

For more stories about all levels of college baseball across the USA, subscribe to Collegiate Baseball by CLICKING HERE.

The post Once-In-A-Lifetime Home Run Cycle Achieved appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR.
Editor/Collegiate Baseball

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Possibly the strangest situation in college baseball history is unfolding right before our eyes.

The University of St. Thomas (MN), an NCAA Div. 3 powerhouse for decades in all sports, was kicked out of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in May of 2019 simply because the entire athletics’ program was too strong.

After almost 100 years in the conference and a founding member of the league in 1920, St. Thomas was informed that their athletics’ teams would be allowed to compete in the league through the spring of 2021.

Then they were out.

It may have been the first time in sports history that excellence was being vilified.

Can you imagine Alabama being booted out of the SEC for having a superior football program?

Excellence in academics and remarkable professors at St. Thomas were never a talking point for university presidents in the MIAC — only athletics.

After exploring every possible option, St. Thomas decided that venturing into NCAA Div. 1 was the best course of action despite the huge financial hit the school would take.

St. Thomas, a private, Catholic university which was founded in 1885 as a Catholic seminary, was ultimately invited to be a member of the Summit League.

It is the first time in history that an entire athletics’ program has gone directly from NCAA Div. 3 to NCAA Div. 1.

Over the next five years, St. Thomas’s athletics teams are expected to be fully funded with athletic scholarships.

The baseball program is now embarking on an NCAA Div. 1 schedule under Head Coach Chris Olean who is entering his 13^th year with the program.

In baseball over the years in NCAA Div. 3, the Tommies won a league-best 37 regular-season championships — twice as many as the next school through 2021.

St. Thomas also captured 10 of the 20 MIAC tournament titles since the format began in 2000.

The Tommies reached the NCAA Div. 3 Regional playoffs 22 times, including 21 trips in their last 26 seasons in NCAA Div. II.

St. Thomas advanced to seven NCAA Div. 3 College World Series and claimed the national title in 2001 and 2009 and finished second three other times.

Athletic Excellence
At the time university presidents voted to jettison St. Thomas from the MIAC in 2019, the school had won 525 championships (regular season and playoffs) in all sports.

This was more than twice as many as the second winningest school in the MIAC, according to St. Thomas Sports Information Director Gene McGivern.

“In many of our sports, we weren’t beating conference teams with lopsided scores.

“The biggest part of the problem was football. We had a couple of 97-0 and 81-0 wins. The optics of that really stung with the teams you beat and their alumni.

“It is one thing to lose a game. But when you get beat that bad, the president of schools gets calls from alumni complaining about being more competitive.

“It ultimately came down to different schools in the league saying either St. Thomas would leave or they would.

“Then there were a bunch of schools caught in the middle. Administrators were worried about the MIAC being disbanded if five schools at the bottom pulled out.”

St. Thomas Head Coach Chris Olean said his school had two years to find another league.

“The Summit League was very gracious in extending us an invitation.

“They saw a great opportunity to have a team in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area (with a population of about 3.6 million).

“Long term, we felt it would be a good fit for us. I understand we are the first school to go directly from NCAA Div. 3 to Div. 1 without a stop in Div. 2.

“The ruling by the MIAC was a very hot topic for quite some time when the announcement was made in 2019.”

To read more of this story, purchase the March 11, 2022 edition of Collegiate Baseball or subscribe by CLICKING HERE. It explains all the details on St. Thomas’ move from NCAA Div. 3 to Div. 1 and how challenging it will be.

The post St. Thomas (MN) Kicked Out Of Conference appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR.
Editor/Collegiate Baseball

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thousands of full-time assistant coaches in college baseball work for much less than the federal minimum hourly wage of $7.25.

Coaching is a calling to these men who love the game of baseball and enjoy helping players reach their full potential.

Many coaches are only paid a few thousand dollars despite working hundreds of hours a year as they live in poverty.

In a special Collegiate Baseball investigation, we wanted to know why these stewards of the game across the USA aren’t paid at least the minimum wage.

Collegiate Baseball contacted the U.S. Department Of Labor to find out what rights baseball coaches have when it comes to being paid the minimum wage instead of a paltry sum many are given.

If you ask enough college coaches on the NCAA Div. II, III, NAIA and junior college levels, they not only prepare practice plans, work at practices and recruit late into the evening many nights.

They are also heavily involved in weight training, study halls and driving vans or buses on road trips that can take them long distances away and then back home. They also coach numerous games.

When you add up how much they make with all of the hours involved, it comes out to less than $2 an hour in many cases.

Yet federal law demands that the minimum wage must not be less than $7.25 per hour.

Federal law stipulates employers who willfully violate the minimum wage law may be prosecuted criminally and fined up to $10,000.

A second conviction may result in imprisonment.

On Jan. 1, 2022, 21 states raised their minimum wages. It ranges from $9.20 per hour in Montana to $15 an hour in California.

The hourly wage in Los Angeles will rise from $15 to $16.04 on July 1.

If any state or city has a higher minimum wage for workers than the federal minimum wage, then that is what workers are entitled to receive.

If you go to any college in the country, the janitor or cafeteria worker makes much more money than thousands of assistant baseball coaches across the nation simply because they are required to be paid the minimum wage.

Too many assistant coaches continue to make pennies and are forced to apply for Food Stamps to survive.

While coaching is a calling, should coaches starve in the process?

To read more of this article, purchase the Feb. 25, 2022 edition of Collegiate Baseball or subscribe by CLICKING HERE. Read about what the U.S. Department of Labor had to say about the rights of coaches. It will really open your eyes.

The post Why Are Coaches Paid Under Minimum Wage? appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR.
Editor/Collegiate Baseball

There has never been a study completed by any national sports governing body (NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA) to find out the divorce rate of college head coaches and assistants in baseball.

An even more important question is can the divorce rate for coaches be minimized?

The ugly reality is that almost 50 percent of all marriages in the United States end in divorce or separation, according to government data and studies over the years.

Researchers estimate that 41 percent of all first marriages will end in divorce.

In addition, 60 percent of second marriages end in divorce while 73 percent of all third marriages dissolve into divorce.

Collegiate Baseball decided to send out a survey to head coaches in college baseball on all levels to find out if there truly is a serious problem with divorce, as many believe, and what the mitigating issues are with failed marriages in this difficult job.

Collegiate Baseball was not interested in bachelors in this special survey — only married coaches who ultimately stayed together with their spouses or saw their relationship deteriorate into divorce.

We received 229 responses from head coaches in NCAA Div. I, II, III, NAIA and junior colleges.

Surprisingly, 194 head coaches out of 229 who responded (85 percent) are married and have never been divorced. It is interesting to note that 158 head coaches in this group have been married for 10 years or more, 81 for 20 or more years while 30 head coaches have been married for 30-plus years.

The amount of divorces were surprisingly low with only 35 out of 229 head coaches.

The top three factors for divorce among head coaches in college baseball are:

• Rarely home: 22 (63 percent).
• One partner not being faithful: 7 (20 percent).
• Combination of factors: 3 (.8 percent).

Other reasons given were that the couple was too young when they got married and the wife was not happy which led to the demise of the marriage.

As far as assistant coaches, 54 have suffered through divorces, according to the 229 head coaches who responded.

Only a few reasons were given as causes for divorces since many head coaches never asked what happened because they didn’t want to pry into their personal lives.

The top 3 factors for divorce in assistant coaches from head coaches were:

• Financial problems:13 (24 percent).
• Rarely home: 9 (17 percent).
• One partner not being faithful: 8 (15 percent).

To read more of this in-depth story or subscribe to Collegiate Baseball, CLICK HERE. It delves into tips of 47 coaches who have thoughts on this important subject. Plus, another story explains retreats that are being utilized by the Alabama Baseball Coaches Association for married coaches. In addition, if divorce is inevitable, an important book to navigate it without losing your kids, money and mind is available.

The post If 50% Of Marriages Fail, What About Coaches? appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

TUCSON, Ariz. — For the second time in history, UCLA has earned the national recruiting championship by Collegiate Baseball for its superb 2021 class.

The Bruins were also ranked No. 1 in 1997. Eight of the top 10 ranked teams this year are from the SEC.

It is the 39^th straight year Collegiate Baseball has evaluated NCAA Division I recruiting classes.

Athletes who initially signed letters of intent with a school but then signed a pro contract after being drafted do not count in the overall evaluation. Only athletes who came to school this fall are factored in.

The Bruins landed a class of 20 players, including 16 freshmen, two junior college transfers and two 4-year transfers.

It is the first time since 2016 that a Pac-12 Conference school has earned the No. 1 ranking. That year Arizona St. landed the top class in the nation.

The Bruins have now landed nationally-ranked recruiting classes seven straight years and 15 of the 17 seasons overall under Head Coach John Savage.

“We think this is as deep a class as you’ll find in the country,” said Savage.

“With the quantity and quality of the pitching and infielders coming in, along with a few premier outfielders, this class really covers a lot of areas.

“It covers needs, and brings a number of immediate impact guys to our program. We could not be more excited regarding the future of this class and the impact it will have.”

The newest group of Bruins is headlined by four players ranked inside the top 100 nationally in OF Malakhi Knight (Marysville Getchell H.S., WA), RHP Thatcher Hurd (Mira Costa H.S., CA), INF Cody Schrier (JSerra Catholic H.S., CA), and LHP Gage Jump (18^th round pick by Padres from JSerra Catholic H.S., CA).

The Bruins also landed talented transfers from both the 4-year and junior college ranks in OF Kenny Oyama who will join UCLA as a grad transfer after batting .320 for Loyola Marymount last season and RHP Kelly Austin after earning conference Pitcher of The Year honors last spring with Orange Coast College (6-0, 1.26 ERA, 55 Ks in 43 IP).

The class also features standout prep players in RHP Alonzo Tredwell (Mater Dei H.S., CA), RHP Luke Jewett (JSerra Catholic H.S., CA), OF Nick McLain (Beckman H.S., CA, younger brother of Bruin alum Matt McLain), C Jack Holman (Etwanda H.S., CA), and INF Bryce Grudzielanek (Torey Pines H.S., CA).

The class is rounded out by RHP Josh Alger (Roseville H.S., CA) and RHP Nate Leibold (Ballard H.S., WA, who had a 2.19 ERA this summer in the West Coast League).

NOTE: A complete rundown on the top 25 recruiting classes is featured in the Oct. 1, 2021 issue of Collegiate Baseball. A chart also breaks down the top 50 classes in the nation as far as total number of new players for each school and how many freshmen, junior college and 4-year transfers were brought in. A record number of players were landed by ranked teams from the NCAA Div. I transfer portal. To purchase this issue or subscribe, CLICK HERE.

Collegiate Baseball’s
Top 50 Recruiting Classes

1. UCLA
2. Florida
3. Vanderbilt
4. Arkansas
5. Oklahoma St.
6. Louisiana St.
7. Tennessee
8. Mississippi St.
9. Louisville
10. Alabama
11. Texas A&M
12. Miami (Fla.)
13. Florida St.
14. Virginia
15. Clemson
16. Texas Christian
17. South Carolina
18. Georgia Tech.
19. Texas Tech.
20. North Carolina
21. Texas
22. N.C. State
23. Southern California
24. Oregon
25. Auburn
26. East Carolina
27. Oklahoma
28. Notre Dame
29. Indiana
30. Stanford
31. Oregon St.
32. Virginia Tech.
33. Mississippi
34. Arizona
35. Duke
36. Nebraska
37. Tulane
38. Long Beach St.
39. Georgia
40. Washington St.
41. Michigan
42. Arizona St.
43. Washington
44. South Florida
45. Wake Forest
46. Florida International
47. Kentucky
48. U.C. Santa Barbara
49. Minnesota
50. Dallas Baptist

Other Top Recruiting Classes: Nebraska, Ohio St., Florida Atlantic, Southern Mississippi, Grand Canyon, Central Florida, Louisiana-Lafayette, California, West Virginia, Northeastern, Connecticut, Fresno St., St. Mary’s, Baylor, Cal. St. Fullerton, Coastal Carolina, U.C. Irvine, UNLV, Creighton, Cal. St. Northridge, Missouri, San Diego St., Fairfield, Stony Brook, Louisiana Tech., Loyola Marymount, Mercer, Rhode Island, St. Louis, Wichita St., Iowa, Pittsburgh, Cal. Poly, Brigham Young, Gonzaga, San Diego, Hawaii, Kent St., Central Michigan, Ball St., Texas St., San Francisco, Missouri St., Seton Hall, Houston, Maryland, Dayton, Cal. Baptist, Butler, Toledo, St. John’s, College of Charleston, Stetson, Kennesaw St., Kansas St., Utah, Western Carolina, Troy, Georgia Southern, Nevada, South Alabama, Memphis, Penn. St., Charleston Southern, Bradley, Samford, Sam Houston, Oral Roberts, North Dakota St., East Tennessee St., Gardner-Webb, N.C. Wilmington, Alabama-Birmingham, Wofford.

Source: Collegiate Baseball

Previous NCAA Div. I
Recruiting Champions
By Collegiate Baseball

2020: Miami (Fla.)
2019: Vanderbilt
2018: Louisiana St.
2017: Vanderbilt
2016: Arizona St.
2015: Florida
2014: Louisiana St.
2013: Florida
2012: Vanderbilt
2011: South Carolina
2010: Louisiana St.
2009: Florida
2008: Arizona St.
2007: Louisiana St.
2006: South Carolina
2005: South Carolina
2004: Louisiana St.
2003: North Carolina
MMMlSouth Carolina
2002: Georgia Tech.
2001: Southern California
2000: Cal. St. Fullerton
1999: Southern California
1998: Georgia Tech.
1997: UCLA
1996: Texas A&M
1995: Arizona St.
1994: Mississippi St.
1993: Miami (Fla.)
1992: Florida St.
1991: Miami (Fla.)
1990: Arizona
1989: Florida St.
1988: Miami (Fla.)
1987: Stanford
1986: Stanford
1985: Hawaii
1984: Florida St.
1983: Arizona St.

Source: Collegiate Baseball

The post UCLA Lands No. 1 Recruiting Class In USA appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

By LOU PAVLOVICH, JR.
Editor/Collegiate Baseball

STARKVILLE, Miss. — The hallmark of almost every championship team in sports is defense.

Mississippi State captured its first national baseball championship in history with a remarkable display of airtight defense.

Baseball has been played at this perennial powerhouse since 1885.

Over seven games at the 2021 College World Series, the Bulldogs didn’t commit an error in 238 chances.

It was the first time in the 74-year-history of the event that a champion has not made an error enroute to the national title with this many games played.

It was a staggering achievement that doesn’t seem possible because of the mounting pressure each game brings as teams get closer with each win at playing for the national title.

Of the five other national champions in history who have played seven games in the College World Series, they averaged 6 errors.

What the Bulldogs did was unprecedented and amazing to watch.

However, Mississippi State was the furthest thing from a polished defensive unit early in the season.

The Bulldogs committed 7 errors over 2 games and kicked the ball around 15 times over an 8-game span.

Six position changes ultimately took place on defense.

Collegiate Baseball wanted to know how the coaching staff at Mississippi State transformed this porous defense into a finely tuned machine with no errors in its final 7 games of the season at the CWS.

For the first time in history, Collegiate Baseball has broken down all aspects of a national champion’s defensive philosophy.

There are four coaches who teach defense for the Bulldogs.

• Head Coach Chris Lemonis works with the outfielders.
• Jake Gautreau teaches infield defense.
• Scott Foxhall instructs pitching defense.
• Kyle Cheesebrough works with catchers.

To read more of this exclusive report, purchase the Oct. 1, 2021 edition or subscribe by CLICKING HERE. This report includes 4 stories on all phases of Mississippi State’s system on infield, outfield, catching and pitching defense. If defense wins titles, learn how the Bulldogs did it last season.

The post Special Report: Mississippi State’s Elite Defense appeared first on Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.