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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!!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Jackson State CC |
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025 |
Motlow State CC |
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Volunteer State CC |
PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2025
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.
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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.
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