2009 Coastal Plain League All-Star Coaches Announced

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Coastal Plain League announced today the 2009 All-Star Game head coaches and assistant coaches. For the third straight year, the CPL All-Star Game will feature all 14 CPL head coaches.

For the first time, Forest City’s Matt Hayes, the assistant head coach of last year’s American Team, will take the helm of the American CPL All-Star team. Hayes’ associate head coach will be Darrell Handelsman of Fayetteville. Serving as the assistant coaches for the American squad will be Hank Morgan (Peninsula), Tim Murray (Asheboro), Ray Greene (Thomasville), Lee Gronkiewicz (Columbia) and Steve Leake (Petersburg).

The National CPL All-Stars will be led by Outer Banks’ Jeff Wicker. Wicker will have Wilson’s Jeff Steele as his associate head coach, while their assistant coaches will be Wes Davis (Florence), Jake Tenhouse (Wilmington), Eli Benefield (Gastonia), Marty Smith (Edenton) and Barry Powell (Martinsville).

Hayes led the Owls to the West Division first half championship as well as claiming the title of best first half finish in the league’s 13 year history after posting a 24-3 record. Handelsman guided the SwampDogs to a 16-10 start for the 2009 season earning them the South Division first half championship.

Meanwhile, Wicker led his team, the Daredevils, to a 19-9 record and the North Division first half crown. Steele’s Tobs went 17-11 in the first half, a record that was second in the South, and the next highest winning percentage of the remaining teams.
The 2009 Coastal Plain League All-Star Festivities will feature several attractions during the two days. During Fan Fest on Monday, July 20, fans can look forward to the All-Star Home Run Derby, while on Tuesday, July 21, the main attraction will be the 2009 CPL All-Star Game. Both will be held at the home of the Wilmington Sharks, Buck Hardee Field in Wilmington, N.C. For ticket information, please call the Sharks at (910) 343-5621 or visit them on the web at www.wilmingtonsharks.com.

The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s hottest summer collegiate baseball league, now in its 13th season. Featuring 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, the CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with wooden bats during the summer months. Players are housed with local host families for the summer and past experiences have been very positive for both players and hosts. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

FMU names Person new women’s soccer coach

FLORENCE, S.C. – Athletic Department officials at Francis Marion University have announced the appointment of Joel Person as the new head coach for the women’s soccer program. Person served as the men’s assistant coach at FMU during the 2008 fall season.

Person succeeds Marty Beall, who left the program to take the head coaching job with High Point University.

FMU director of athletics Murray Hartzler said Person was selected from a pool of over 100 applicants that came from across the country. “We are very pleased that Joel has accepted our offer to head the women’s program. It was a pleasant surprise to find the top candidate already on our campus.”

“Joel has displayed his coaching expertise while working with the men’s team, and has developed a rapport with the members of the women’s squad while training them this spring. I look forward to him building and improving upon the firm foundation already laid for our program.”

Person becomes the third head coach in the program’s 14-year history, following Beall and Hartzler. The Patriot women own an all-time record of 165-79-11 mark, including 12 seasons of double-figure wins and an imposing 93-18-6 home record.

The Patriots lose only two seniors off last fall’s 6-12-1 squad, the team’s second year as a full-fledged NCAA Division I member. Last year’s schedule included five opponents that made the NCAA Tournament the year before.

“I am extremely excited about the challenge that is now in front of me,” Person said. “The FMU program has developed a good tradition both on and off the field, and I am happy to now be a part of that. To have already met and trained with the players is a huge advantage for the fall season – a head start if you may. Now I must start with the recruiting process and move forward on that front.”

With Person serving as assistant coach last fall, the FMU men recorded a 14-5-3 record, won both the Peach Belt Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and earned an invitation to the NCAA Tournament, where the Patriots advanced to the second round.

Prior to joining the FMU staff in 2008, Person served one season as an assistant women’s coach at the University of Mobile. He also worked for two years as a state coach with the Alabama Youth Soccer Association Olympic Development Program.

He owns the United States Soccer Federation National B License and the USSF National Youth License.

Person was director of coaching with the Mobile Soccer Club in 2006-07, was the head boys’ varsity coach at the UMS-Wright Preparatory School in Mobile for three seasons with a 41-16-4 record and three playoff appearances, and assisted with the University of Mobile men’s program from 2002 to 2006. That final stint included the Rams’ 2002 NAIA national championship season.

A native of Fairbanks, Alaska, he earned the B.A. degree in history and religion (magna cum laude) from Mobile in 2002. He played four seasons for the Rams, while the program made three NAIA Final Four appearances during his career.

He also played several seasons in the USL Premier Development League.

Off the field, the Francis Marion women’s program has earned a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award for the five of the past six seasons 2008-09, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, and 2003-04 school years.

Coker College Hires Cheerleading and Dance Coach

by Christian Stryker, SID Coker College
2/18/2009

Hartsville, S.C. - Coker College is pleased to announce that Brianna Bunce Douglas has been hired as the Head Coach of the newly formed varsity cheerleading squad and dance team. Douglas, a 2002 graduate of Coker, begins her duties immediately as she looks to build the new teams for the fall of 2009.

"The the addition of the cheerleading and dance team program at Coker will provide young people the opportunity to continue dance and cheer on a competitive level after high school," said Douglas. "This is a unique program within the Athletic Department that will attract many students who already participate in these activities competitively before coming to college."

Douglas began her dance career at Coker College in 1994 under the direction of former professor Nancy Bolden. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Coker, Douglas holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina, and a Master's of Business Administration from the University of North Florida.

"We are very fortunate to have Coach Douglas join the Coker Athletics staff," said Coker Director of Athletics Tim Griggs. "She will bring a great deal of knowledge and experience to the Dance and Cheer Teams. These new programs will boost the spirit of the athletics teams and College for many years to come. We look forward to the 2009-2010 academic year with much excitement."

When asked why she wanted to return to Coker College Douglas said, "I enjoy working in an atmosphere that merges academic excellence and social development within an environment conducive to personal growth. Based on my familiarity with Coker, I believe this position will only strengthen relationships within the college and community."

An active member of the Hartsville community, Douglas is a board member of Hartsville Downtown Development Association and the Coker College Alumni Association. In addition to her coaching duties, Douglas will also be a member of the dance faculty at Coker.

Lane Resigns as Coker Men's Soccer Coach

by Christian Stryker, SID Coker College

Hartsville, S.C. - Robert Lane, Head men's soccer coach at Coker College, has resigned to pursue a job in Charlotte, N.C. in the private sector. Lane has been the leader of the Cobra men for the last three seasons, joining the Coker coaching staff in the summer of 2006.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity that Tim Griggs and Coker College have given me over the past three years to serve as Head Men's Soccer Coach," said Lane. "We have made great strides with this program to become a competitive team within the conference. I have no doubt that the players in place will continue the growth of the Coker College Men's Soccer program."

During his tenure at Coker, Coach Lane led the Cobras to a record of 16-38-2, while leading Coker to a 7-12-2 record in the fall of 2008, a best finish by a Cobra men's team in the last decade. Coach Lane and his Cobras had some very memorable games during his time, including a 2-1 win over Division I High Point University, the men's first conference tournament appearance in more than five years in 2008 and a 1-0 loss to the U17 United States National Team in a friendly match.

"Coach Lane has been a great asset to the Coker Athletics Department," said Coker Director of Athletics, Tim Griggs. "He recruited a number of talented student-athletes to improve the overall standing of the team within our conference. In addition, Coach Lane served on the Campus Coalition Committee, attended the Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Retreat and participated in the Athletic Prevention Programming and Leadership Education (APPLE) conference."

"Neeley and I have been surrounded by wonderful people in the Hartsville area," said Lane. "We look forward to getting married in March and starting new careers in the Charlotte area."

Coker will begin an immediate nationwide search for a new coach, with the hope of having a new coach in place within the next month.

Coker Takes Top Spot in Coaches Softball Preseason Poll

Courtesy of Conference Carolinas Office

High Point, N.C. – Conference Carolinas head softball coaches voted Coker College as their preseason poll favorite for the 2009 season. The Coker College softball team won their second straight regular season Conference Carolinas Championship in 2008, going 17-1 in conference competition with a 35-12 overall record. Returning to lead the Lady Cobras in her senior season is 2008 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, Shelly Catlett. Last season, Shelly posted a record of 27-7, with a 1.80 ERA in 233 innings of work. Catlett dominated hitters throughout the season, racking up 229 strikeouts, placing her at the top of the conference and the nation.

Also returning from last year's squad is First Team All-Conference designated player, Miranda Klees and 2008 Coker Freshman of the Year, Haleigh Rogers. Along with a cast of newcomers, Coker and 2008 Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year, David Hanna, will be on the hunt to make it three conference titles in a row, while also looking to return to the NCAA Regionals.

The Pfeiffer University softball team earned the number two spot in the Conference Carolinas preseason coaches' poll this year. The Falcons return eight letter winners, including six starters, from last season's Conference Carolinas Tournament Championship team. Highlighting the returnees are Martina Bullard an All-Region 2nd team outfielder, and shortstop Sarah Moore, a conference All-Tournament team member. Pfeiffer completed the 2008 season with a record of 30-23 overall, while going 12-8 in conference play.

Newcomers looking to make their mark with the Falcons this season are pitcher Christie Thomas, as well as third baseman Heather Nobles and second baseman Kylee Nichols. The Falcons added eight newcomers to the roster, consisting of three junior college transfers and five freshmen.

After winning a share of the regular season conference championship in 2007 and reaching the championship game of last year's Conference Carolinas Tournament, Mount Olive College hopes to continue its success in 2009. The Trojans have posted a school record 68 wins over the last two seasons.

Mount Olive returns Academic All-America second team and All-Region first team designated hitter/pitcher Jenny Jackson. The 2007 Conference Carolinas Player of the Year has been among the nation's hitting and pitching leaders during her first two years at Mount Olive.

Also returning are senior pitcher Anna Turvin and senior outfielder Kat Cahoon, both of whom earned All-Tournament honors at last year's conference tournament. The Trojans add three more pitchers and bring back all of their position players except catcher and second base

Rounding out the softball preseason poll 4-12 was: Erskine, Limestone, Anderson, Queens, Barton, St. Andrews, Belmont Abbey and Lees-McRae.

Conference Carolinas Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First place votes in parenthesis)

1. Coker College (5) 93

2. Pfeiffer University (3) 85

3. Mount Olive College (1) 79

4. Erskine College (2) 76

5. Limestone College 65

6. Anderson University 64

7. Queens University of Charlotte 36

8. Barton College 32

9. St. Andrews Presbyterian College 26

10. Belmont Abbey College 25

11. Lees-McRae College 24

Mount Olive Tops Preseason Conference Carolinas Baseball Poll

High Point, N.C.- Mount Olive College enters this season as the defending NCAA Division II Baseball National Champions and the No. 1 team in the 2009 ABCA Preseason Division II National Poll. The Trojans posted a 58-6 overall and 21-1 league record in 2008. Mount Olive also won its third consecutive Conference Carolinas championship. Including pitchers and position players, Mount Olive graduated eight senior starters from last year's team, five of whom were selected in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. The Trojans do return a number of seniors who helped key last year's national championship run.

Senior All-American right fielder Alex Vertcnik ranked among the national leaders last year with a .416 batting average and 77 runs batted in. while carrying a 26-game hitting streak into the 2009 season. The MVP of last year's conference tournament, Vertcnik became the first-ever Trojan student-athlete in any sport to earn All-Tournament honors in the conference tournament, NCAA regional tournament and NCAA national finals in the same year. Senior third baseman Rich Racobaldo was named MVP of the NCAA II South Atlantic Regional, going 4-for-5 in the championship game and batting .533 in the regional. Racobaldo was also named to the All-Tournament Team at the national finals.

Senior right-hander Kyle Jones posted a 2-0 record in two starts in NCAA post-season play last year, including a complete game four-hitter in the regional semifinals in his first collegiate start. A relief pitcher during the regular season last year, Jones enters the season as the Trojans' top starter. Senior relief pitcher Patrick Ball posted a 1-0 record with one save in two appearances at the national finals, retiring every batter he faced.

Carl Lancaster enters his 23rd year as head coach at Mount Olive. Lancaster was in attendance at the ABCA National Convention earlier this month to receive his 2008 Division II Baseball National Coach of the Year Award.

Erskine College was voted second in the preseason poll. The Flying Fleet look to continue the momentum of a record breaking 2008 season that saw Erskine finish with a school record 44 wins (17-5 & 44-13 overall) and the schools first ever NCAA tournament appearance. Erskine lost just two seniors from 2008 and returns nine starters on offense and ten pitchers.

The offense will be led by junior second baseman Chas Anthony, who was named All American after hitting .380 with 17 doubles, 18 home runs with 75 RBI and being selected All Conference and All Region. Joining Anthony will be junior outfielder Bryan Fogle, who hit .376 with 11 homeruns, 69 RBI, and was named All Conference and All Region. Junior outfielder Greg Huff hit .357 with 14 doubles and 11 homeruns to earn All Conference honors as well.

The Fleet pitching staff will look to build on a solid 2008 season that saw three pitchers earn first team All Conference, a first in school history. Senior Michael Moore, who was 10-3 with a 3.39 ERA, will anchor the staff. Moore, who was named to the All Conference and All Region teams, needs just one more victory to break the school record for career wins. Joining Moore will be junior William Buzhardt who was 8-3 with a 3.71 ERA and named All Conference. The bullpen will be held down by sophomore Atlee Pearson, who was named All Conference and All Region, while also being named Conference Carolinas Freshman of the Year.

The Belmont Abbey College Crusaders place third in the coaches' preseason poll. The 2009 season brings a great deal of optimism to the program. The Crusaders hope to take the momentum of last years success and experience into the upcoming year and build on it. The Abbey finished third in league regular season play (16-8 & 41-22 overall) before forcing a winner takes all game in the conference championship and taking the runner-up championship honors. From there the Crusaders qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships before bowing out and concluding an outstanding 2008 campaign in the regional semifinal round.

The Crusaders welcome back 13 letter winners from the 2008 campaign. Three All-Conference selections return: Michael Raymond, Andrew Morton, and Carlos Vasquez. Belmont Abbey also returns 2007 All-Conference selection Tyler McKenzie.

Rounding out the baseball preseason poll 4-9 is: Barton and Pfeiffer (tied), Anderson, Limestone, Coker, and St. Andrews respectively.

Conference Carolinas Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First place votes in parenthesis)
1. Mount Olive College (8) 64
2. Erskine College 55
3. Belmont Abbey College (1) 49
T-4. Barton 36
T-4. Pfeiffer University 36
6. Anderson University 32
7. Limestone College 27
8. Coker College 16
9. St. Andrews Presbyterian 9

FMU tabbed for fifth in preseason PBC baseball poll

AUGUSTA, GA – Francis Marion University has been tabbed to finish fifth according to the 2009 Peach Belt Conference preseason baseball poll voted on by the league’s head coaches and released on Tuesday (Jan. 20). Columbus State University was selected as the preseason favorite.

CSU, the defending conference champion, received seven of a possible nine first-place votes for 77 total points, six points ahead of second-place North Georgia College & State University. USC Aiken (63) was third, followed by Georgia College & State University (56), Francis Marion (55), Armstrong Atlantic State University (42), UNC Pembroke (34), Augusta State University (23), Lander University (18), and Georgia Southwestern State University (11).

FMU is ranked 33rd in the preseason Collegiate Baseball Magazine NCAA II Top 40 poll. Ninth-year head coach Art Inabinet welcomes back 15 lettermen, including four posi tion starters and three starting pitchers, from last year’s squad that finished 34-20. FMU tied for third during the 2008 PBC regular season, advanced to the PBC Tournament title game, and narrowly missed earning a bid to the NCAA II national tournament for the second year in a row.

Senior All-Region catcher Jared Barkdoll (.362, 7 HRs, 50 RBIs) leads the returning starters. First baseman Preston Shuey (.344, 7 HRs, 55 RBIs), last year’s PBC Freshman of the Year, also returns as does senior third baseman Keon Graves (.262, 8 HRs, 41 RBIs) and junior outfielder Trent Knight (.261, 17 RBIs). Senior righty David Walters (9-4 record, 4.66 ERA), who was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 47th round but chose to return to school, leads the returning starters on the mound.

FMU opens its season at home on Feb. 1 with a doubleheader against 21st-ranked Valdosta State. The Patriots are 130-40-1 in their last 171 home games at “The Cliff.”

The PBC Tournament is set for May 9-10 in Aiken, S.C. The tournament format has changed for 2009, with the top eight teams gathering for a two-day, single-elimination tournament.

Coaches were not permitted to rank their own teams.

2009 Peach Belt Conference Baseball Preseason Poll
No. Team (1st) Total
1. Columbus State (7) 77
2. North Georgia (2) 71
3. USC Aiken (1) 63
4. GCSU 56
5. Francis Marion 55
6. Armstrong Atlantic St. 42
7. UNC Pembroke 34
8. Augusta State 23
9. Lander 18
10. Georgia Southwestern 11

From Michael G. Hawkins

Davis Named 2008 CPL Coach of the Year

The Coastal Plain League announced today that Florence RedWolves head coach Wes Davis has been named the CPL Coach of the Year following the completion of the 2008 season.

Under the leadership of Davis, the RedWolves finished second in wins on the entire season with 37 and made it to the championship game of the 2008 CPL Petitt Cup Tournament. In the Petitt Cup, Florence made it to the last game through the winner’s bracket, but the third-seeded RedWolves fell to the top-seeded Thomasville HiToms, 7-4.