2025 Team Previews

Chattanooga State     Cleveland State     Columbia State     Dyersburg State     Jackson State    

 Motlow State  Pellisippi State   Roane State   Southwest TN    Volunteer State     Walters State

 
 
 
Chattanooga State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
1 Brody Ballou CF - Very good Fr. year and outstanding prospect
2 Braden Graves LF/3B- Solid offensive year but is better and stronger
3 Ben Fisher - P/2B - Had outstanding fall and should be a top guy for us
4 Reid Leonard - P - Was good for us last year and hope there is more
5 Devyn McEachron - SS - Has the chance to be very very good
6 Taylor Head - 2B/SS - Another guy who projects well
7  Will Murphy - P - Showed flashes in fall of being very good.
2025 TEAM OUTLOOK
 
Offense: Our offense looks to be talented and we hope that we can build on some success' in the fall and become a little more sustained in the spring.  Ballou, Graves, McEachron, Head and Vigoa can be very tough and we have a number of guys behind them that can all be pivotal type guys. 
 
Defense: Hopefully, we can put 8 solids out there and be athletic and fundamental.  The infield is completely re-built but should have some talent and ability.  Outfield is returning with a couple of newer guys filtering in.  Catching should be good with Vigoa and Ian Lindsay with a couple of solid freshmen behind them. 
 
Pitching: We have some good arms back and new ones in but just need to get them all "slotted" and figured out.  Fisher, Leonard and Murphy should be out front but we have 6-8 more that should compete for quality innings and be very necessary to our success. 
 
Overall outlook: As always, getting off to a good start is critical and we are hoping we can gel as we go and develop into the team that we feel we can be.  Schedule is tough as we start early and play through what looks like tough weather.  Hoping by the time we get to conference ( mid February ) we can have some traction started and be able to do well in the Region 7 gauntlet.  Lots to see and do though!!

 

Cleveland State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
1 - Nate Dunfee - OF - committed to Lee University
2 - Ty Denton - C - Transfer from Troy University
3 - Turner Junkins - RHP - Transfer from MTSU
4 - Aiden McClary MIF
5 - Adam Baker - RHP
6 - Brogan Jones - Transfer from ETSU
7 - Evan Goins - 3B
2025 TEAM OUTLOOK: Our team is filled with new guys and experienced guys in the lineup and on the mound. We have some nice pieces on offense that we will rely on heavily. Our pitching staff does not return a ton of weekend experience from last year, but we are talented and excited to see them compete this spring.
 
Offense: Our offense has returnees (Nate Dunfee, Evan Goins) and newcomers (Ty Denton, Aiden McClary, Brogan Jones, Riley Mahan) who have had good falls and have continued to build in the early spring.
 
Defense: Our defense is strong behind the plate with returner Ty Denton, Jacob Cooper and Will Phipps manning the position. Our infield is talented and competitive with guys sill competing for spots this spring, but we are confident with however it plays out that they will be high performers. Our outfield is led by returnee Nate Dunfee and we expect each payer out there to perform well.
 
Pitching: We have experienced guys returning to lead the staff with a few new guys to round it out. Adam Baker, Turner Junkins, Will Webb, Max Owens and Tyler Pickens (Lee University) are guys that have the potential to start on the mound. Our bullpen should be reliable with Brody Casteel and Logan Bryson in the back end for us this year.
 
Overall outlook: We are excited to get this season started and see how our guys compete. We are going to have a couple of tests early on as we travel down to Georgia, but think that we have a good chance to build off of last year and are ready to see how the conference plays out.

 

Columbia State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
1 Dylan Alonso (SO) RHP - Big arm that looks to have a great year for the Warhorses. Not yet committed
2 Adam Jamison (RFR) RHP - Has been injured virtually entire college career, finally healthy and back to form. A competitor that is not committed yet.
3 Jay Watson (RSO) RHP - Side Armer that was very consistent during 2024 Fall. Lipscomb Commit
4 Jake Cardin (SO) LHP - Super effective Lefty that was in the fire all of 2024 Spring. Looks to have another big role. Alabama-Huntsville Commit
5 Owen Wilson (SO) RHP - Most consistent returning arm from 2024 team with a ton of big innings and we do not see that changing this Spring. Uncommitted
6 Hutson Miles (SO) INF - Improved defender that looks to hit in top of line up with speed. Lipscomb Commit
7 Brady Hendrix (SO) INF - Really helped our team in 2024 and will look to be another big piece in 2025. Plays Hard. Delta State Commit
8 Cade Hitson (RSO) OF - Hitter that should be in the middle of line up and provide some thump for our club. Memphis Commit
9 Camden Vaughn (RFR) UTL - Coming off an injured 2024, Cam should add some offense to our team with gap-to-gap pop. Valdosta State Commit
10 Michael McClellan (RSO) INF - Mr. Routine, will compete in the box (near .400 spring 2024 hitter). Will help our team. Uncommitted
11 Jackson Riedling (RSO) OF - Solid all the way around. Plays the correct way and is a superhuman off the field. Uncommitted
12 Thomas Lankford (SO) RHP - Probably our most improved arm from the time he's stepped on campus in 2023. Best days are ahead of him! Uncommitted
13 Bo Culver (RSO) INF - Has the ability to run the ball out of the yard and should have a much better 2025. Uncommitted
14 Braydon Kercado (SO) RHP - Has come into his own recently through his hard work and will add key innings for our success! UT-Southern Commit

2025 TEAM OUTLOOK

Offense: Many new faces in this year's lineup. Should have the ability to score in different ways and will look to build a competitive atmosphere in the box. Along with the bats listed above, newcomers (Arturo Rodriguez (SO), Kiato Muto (RFR), Clint Seymore (FR)) should aid in our offense attack. Other Notable returners that will see time will be (Tyler Jenkins (RFR), Anthony Pastrana (RSO), and Tristan Griggs (RSO)).
 
Defense: Plain Vanilla... that is the Defensive approach. Make the routine plays and be smart with the baseball. Will have the ability to switch up the defensive structure and find the right pieces.
 
Pitching: Strongest phase for us. This staff is the best top to bottom since I have been associated with Columbia State. Other notables not listed above (Braden Gover (FR), Drew Sharp (SO), Pablo Sainz (FR), JC Myers (FR), Anthony Serrano (FR), Hunter Harris (RFR), Issac Schafer (FR)) our depth should give us a chance every time we touch the field. 
 
Overall outlook: Will look for our Pitching to hold teams at bay for the most part while our offense will try to score enough runs to win. I believe this team is hungry to perform and represent Columbia State in an exceptional way. 
 
Dyersburg State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
1 Amir Streeter
2 Ashton Kehren
3 Jake Santos
4 Parker Davis
5 Cole Cates
6 Conner Vaughan
7 Tommy Melvin
2025 TEAM OUTLOOK
 
Offense: We were up and down in the fall with consistency.  With the addition of some guys at the break, finding the right mix will be key.
 
Defense: Our depth defensively was good this fall.  Our speed in the outfield should help the pitching staff.  Once again, we have to find the right mix on the infield that consistently makes the routine plays.
 
Pitching: We have some talent but have to prove they can be consistent in a League as tough as the TCCAA.  Cates and Davis logged several innings last season in starting roles.  Marlin Takovich, Erick Tovar, Carmine Mercadante and Joe Thomas are guys that will be battling for starter roles also.
 
Overall outlook: We are excited to get going.  The non-conference schedule is tough but we have to get ready for the brutal conference schedule.

 

Jackson State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
 
 
Motlow State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025

 

Pellisippi State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
1 Zach Wieder (SS) - Soph Transfer from Holy Cross.  Switch hitter that will hit at the top of the order.  Plus Defender. Uncommitted.
2 Jacob Dillon (RHP/1B) - 6'6 Freshman from Knoxville.  Is expected to hit in the middle of the order and be in the mix as a weekend starter.
3 Collin Rittenberry (RHP) - RS FR from Clarksville, TN.  Will be one of our weekend starters.  FB 88-91 with command of 2 other pitches. He has committed to UA-Pine Bluff.
4 Matthew Meade - (RHP) RS FR from Loudon, TN.  Submarine arm slot at 84-87.  Had a really good fall and will be one of our key guys out of the bullpen. Uncommitted.
5 Micah Hoffmeister (RHP) SO transfer from Cleveland State. Plus command of 4 pitches. Will be a key guy for us out of the pen that could also transition into a starter. Uncommitted.
6 Kerim Durmaz - (RHP) From Knoxville, TN. Was our best arm all fall.  Will be a weekend starter for us in the spring. 
7 Evan Cage - (OF) LHH that has professional at bats.  Had a great fall and looks to be one of our better hitters heading into the spring. Uncommitted. 
2025 TEAM OUTLOOK
Offense: We will be a freshman heavy offense.  We will only have 2 players in the lineup with collegiate at bats under their belt. We will not have the luxury of leaning on one or two guys to carry the line-up.  For us to score runs we will need to rely on quality at bats from everyone and be aggressive on the bases.
 
Defense: This is probably the strength of this year's team.  Led by SS Zach Wieder, we look to be solid up the middle, with depth at all positions defensively.
 
Pitching: This will be a very young, but capable staff.  The fall went extremely well in terms of throwing strikes and competing. It will take every guy on the staff to help us get outs in the spring. Since there are no returners, all roles will be up for grabs.
 
Overall outlook: Being a first-year program has a unique set of challenges.  Everything will be new this year.  There are also some cool aspects of being on the ground floor and building something together.  We had a really good fall, but that will have no bearing on how this group performs when we start play in the spring.  Our first 2 weekend series are against teams that finished in the top 20 nationally last year, Georgia Highlands and Walters State.  We will know where we stand very quickly.  We have a fun group of guys who show up every day ready to work.  Our goal is to be playing our best baseball by the end of April and make a run in the conference tournament. 
 
Roane State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
1. Johno Pierce- SS. Johno will be our leadoff and set the tone.
2. Cade Martin- DH/1B. Cade returns from injury after a great offensive start last year.
3. Myles Denton- 3B. Myles returns as leader in HR's from last year and has worked extremely hard.
4. Carson Yates- CF. Carson returns as our everyday CF and will move his way up the lineup this season.
5. Jonathan Larrea- C.Jon finished the year as our go-to guy behind the dish.
6. Mitch Victor- C. Mitch will also a big part of our system.

 

Overall outlook: We really love our team. The guys we have this year have done a great job of connecting and taking a very mature approach to their work. I believe they are the perfect group for this season's journey. The offense will start with a handful of everyday guys from last year at the top of the lineup. Pierce, Martin, Denton, and Yates are returners that bring alot of size, strength and speed all favoring a mix to their own unique self. Parsons, Edwards, Larrea, Victor, Webb, J.Davis, Wilson, and Abdulla are all returners who look to make an impact and have a role in our offense. Bly, Hutcheson, Leroy, Eisenbeck, Hines, Brooks, Groves, Smoot, and Horne are newcomers or redshirts who are going to be a part of the competitive atmosphere and energy that allows us to overachieve. These guys will also be finding a place within our offense.
 
Defensively, We return Pierce (SS) and Denton (3B) on the left side and we have alot of competition going at 2nd between Bly, Abdulla, Groves, and Brooks as well as 1st between Parsons, Edwards, and Wilson. Our infield will look to prove how consistent we can be there each day to help us win ball games. Our Outfield will have alot of guys vying for impactful time on the corners. Yates will hold down CF duties but can help at 1B. While matchups and opportunities will allow Webb, J.Davis, Leroy, Eisenbeck, and Hutcheson to get in the mix. Behind the dish, Larrea, Victor, Wilson, and Smoot are all upperclassmen that we feel very confident in helping us control and manage the game with our pitching staff.
 
The Pitching staff will carry a chip as alot of guys will step up into new roles. As returners, Knotts, Parsons, Edwards, and Brune bring last year's experience but will be relied on much more. Newcomers like B.Williams, C.Davis, Ilagan, Heflin, Dunn, Brossart, and Blanc will have a chance to earn significant roles as season progresses. Horne, Curtis, and Windham are some two-way guys that should really help with depth and creating a spark. There are also a few younger arms that may add on if they continue to improve.
 
Overall, There is something about this team I cannot quite put my finger on yet that makes me eager to get going and navigate this journey with them. They have confidence and a good daily approach. They are very connected as you watch them interact and they will grow in mental and physical toughness even more as we move along.

 

Southwest TN CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
1 Logan Luckett (SS/OF) - uncommitted
2 Blaine Nunnally (RHP) - committed to Eastern Illinois
3 Ryan Neilson (RHP) - uncommitted
4 Brayden Stewart (RHP) - uncommitted
5 Charlie Smith (UTL) - uncommitted
6 Pedro Pulliam (RHP) - committed to Univ. of Cumberlands
7 Sammy Chapman (OF) - uncommitted

 

Offense: We have a chance to have a very dynamic offense. We were super offensive in 2023, and took a step back last year as we had too much swing & miss + strikeouts in our lineup. This year's group looks more like our 2023 club, but they are unproved in meaningful spring action even after having a great fall as a group. We want to be a group that has versatility in how we score runs, with power numbers and the speed game. This group has a chance to be a high scoring unit.
 
Defense: We've played solid defense each of the last few years here, and it has to continue to be something that is pursued if we want to continue to climb in this tough league. We have versatile defenders all over the field as we have a good portion of guys who can play multiple positions comfortably. Having this defensive versatility should impact our offense, as we can find a group of 9 guys each day who are giving us competitive at bats and shuffle the field defensively to match that. We are breaking in 3 true freshman catchers, so that has been a big focus trying to get those guys ready to be a crucial part of what we do on defense.
 
Pitching: This staff has a chance to be our best one in my 8 years here. We possess a number of different looks with guys from lots of different repertoires. This fall, against high level competition, we showed the ability to create swing & miss, hold runners, and make big pitches in pressure situations. We have some guys with good velocity, but we won't rely on just that to overmatch people. It will be a constant mix. The only thing that was spotty this fall was some freebies, but I think when we get our guys into more consistent roles, comfortability will set in and the strike throwing will follow.
 
Overall outlook: Very excited about this group. We played an incredibly tough fall schedule & had a solid record... but fall games don't mean anything at the end of the day. Hopefully our guys built some confidence through the success that they had, but we need to realize that everyone we play this spring will be a better version of themselves. Everyone will add players at the break and make their rosters even more talented and create more depth, but we chose not to. We have a group of 34 players that were all here in the fall with us and all 34 will be with us this spring. We felt that we have all we need to be competitive and win games and also feel that the chemistry, togetherness, and familiarity with how we operate will pay dividends this spring. Our league will be better than ever from what we have witnessed so far, so we know it will be a great opportunity this spring to compete in this high-level conference.

 

Volunteer State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
  1. Eben Hansen, RHP, SO, transfer from King Univ, threw almost 20 innings in the fall, leading the team in that category and in K’s, and had the lowest ERA among potential starters

  2. Gage Hoover, OF, SO, in ’24 hit .289, and had an OBP of .431 in 18 gp; in the fall he led the team in AVG and tied in HR’s and RBI’s

  3. Easton Denning, 1B, FR, power hitting LH bat; in the fall, led the team in total hits, RBI’s, & AVG against outside competition and tied in HR’s and RBI’s overall

  4. Parker White, LHP, R-SO, 2nd Team all-conference in ’23, coming back from injury, also pitched well in the fall, collecting the lowest ERA, walk %, & WHIP against outside competition among potential starters

  5. Hudson Blank, UTL, FR, showed an ability to handle the bat in the fall, collecting the most hits, while playing multiple positions (3B, 2B, C)

  6. Scotty Dean, C/1B, SO, transfer from Chatt St; he hit .313 last year with 4 HR’s and 37 RBI’s, which would have led Vol State in ’24; was injured for part of the fall, but showed offensive production while in the lineup

  7. Jack McLaury, RHP, SO, led the team in appearances last year (16) and was a reliable reliever on a team that struggled on the mound after the top two starters; he will get the ball in high leverage situations.

Offense: The six returning position players – Lex Falsone (C), Drew Plummer (UTL), Brady Knepper (MIF), Hoover, Carson Sanders (OF), and Reed Muschinsky (OF), along with R-SO Devin Thrain (OF) and R-FR Luke Lawson (OF), Cooper Wallace (OF), and JC Menendez (C), will be relied upon to lead the offensive production if the Pioneers hope to improve on their performance from 2024 where they dipped to the bottom of the conference in all offensive categories after being in the upper half in 2023.

Defense: With the addition of Dean to returning #1 catcher Falsone, and Plummer if need be, the Pioneers should be solid behind the plate. MIF’s Knepper and Plummer, along with Freshmen Tucker Lorenz and Elijah Harris, could be plus defenders at SS and 2B. The OF rotation of Hoover, Thrain, Muschinsky, Lawson, and Wallace is above average in speed and coverage and Muschinsky should be tough to run on.

Pitching: The Pioneers have seven pitchers back from last year’s squad who threw less than 1/3 of the total innings. White, Chip Harris (SO-RHP), and Max Cassle (SO-RHP), along with transfer Hansen and Drew Morehead (FR-RHP), will be the Starting Pitchers at the beginning of the season. Another possible starter, LMU transfer Ryan Murphy (SO-RHP), will not be ready until the beginning of March. McLaury, Caden Trigg (SO-RHP), Carter Waltz (SO-LHP), and Caden Blackford (R/SO-RHP) will be helped by Braxten Alexander (R/SO-LHP) and RJ Moore (R/SO-RHP) who are coming back from injury. Cumberland transfer Bryant Rascoll (R/SO-RHP) along with Freshmen RHP’s Brady Davis, Brody Prairie, Cobe Ross, Jack Lester and Nathan Stewart will be counted on as well.

Overall Outlook: In order to improve on last year’s 8-18 conference record, several returning pitchers and position players, along with a few freshmen, will have to have break out seasons. Staying healthy will also be of utmost importance.

 

Walters State CC
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
1 RHP Aiden Robertson (Virginia Tech). Big time competitor who will anchor our pitching staff.
2 OF Nate Conner. Returning All-Conference OF who hit .374 as a freshman.
3 RHP Gage Peterson (Appalachian State). 6'6 righty with high ceiling who will be counted on heavily to be a weekend arm.
4 C/1B Brantley Bamberg. University of Louisville transfer who should be one of the top offensive threats in our league.
5 INF Jack Torbett (UNC Asheville). Speedy infielder who has worked extremely hard to set himself up for a big SO season.
6 LHP Jace Kirby. Tranfer from Western Kentucky is a upper 80's lefty with plus stuff.
7 LHP Reilly Byers. Former Mississippi State transfer will be a big addition this semester.
8 RHP Riley Franklin. Former ETSU transfer will eat up some big innings for us this year.
9 OF/RHP David Hamilton. Transfer from Jacksonville State had a big fall for us.
10 OF/RHP Drew Blalock. Huge power at the plate, Upper 80's strike thrower on the mound.
11 INF/RHP Justin Bell. Another two-way guy with a ton of talent.
12 INF Tyler Myatt. One of the top hitters on the team who will hit in the middle of the order.
13 C Kenny Cox. Solid catcher who has turned himself into a big time power threat at the plate.
14 RHP Brayden Blankenship. One of top freshman arms in the state. Up to 93 regularly.
15 INF Kole Fenton. Tremendous defensive INF who will start at SS as a freshman.
16 RHP Andrew Moore. Transfer from Campbell University with a FB the reaches low 90's.
17 LHP Brady Scott. One of our top arms in the Fall. Will pitch a lot of innings this year as a true freshman.
18 RHP Ryan Smith. Low 90's arm with a plus breaking ball. 
19 RHP Bridger Hamilton. Electric arm with plus stuff.
2025 TEAM OUTLOOK
 
Offense: Offensively, we should be solid with Conner, Bamberg, Myatt, and Blalock being capable of doing a lot of damage in the middle of the order. We will need to continue to improve on the bases, which should come with more experience.
 
Defense: Defensively, we should be solid. We have 4 very capable catchers behind the plate, and in the infield Fenton, Torbett, and Bell should lock down the middle. Our OF has good depth with some older guys who know how to play. 
 
Pitching: Pitching-wise, we have a ton of depth and talent, but we will need several guys who are inexperience at the college level to step up and be counted on quickly. Robertson and Peterson each got big innings for us last year, and their leadership will be a key to our success this year.
 
Overall outlook: Overall, this is an extremely talented group that is just lacking a ton of college experience. They work hard enough that I expect they should continue to improve throughout the season, once they are able to gain that college experience. We could take some lumps early on, but hopefully that leads to them being ready when it really matters in May. With our conference schedule starting so early this year, it may not be the best year to be inexperienced right away. Hopefully the weather will break a little and allow us to get prepared for the season, or it could be a long first couple of months for the Senators.