Bethune-Cookman (2018 Record: 24-34, 14-10)
After a spectacular 2017 season, BC took a minor step back in 2018. They did reach the MEAC Tournament where they advanced all the way to the championship game before getting eliminated by the one seed.
Returning Players
Nate Sterijevski will return at shortstop after leading the team with a .325 average last year to go along with 37 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 28 RBI. First baseman Danny Rodriguez also returns after hitting .272 in 2018 with 8 home runs and 35 RBI. Chase DeBonis started 29 games last year and should be the team’s starting catcher in 2019. Zach Spivey was an excellent defender in the outfield last year, while hitting .282 with 38 runs scored, 3 home runs, and 27 RBI. Josten Heron spent almost all of 2018 out with an injury, but could be a big addition in the outfield.
All-MEAC Pitcher Anthony Maldonado returns after posting a 2.81 ERA last year in 64 innings pitched with 74 strikeouts. Tyler Krull is expected to start on Sundays after posting a 6.65 ERA in 2018 over 43.1 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts. Jordan Pinto and Brandon Wilkes are expected to close games this season.
Newcomers
Over Torres is a JUCO transfer who is expected to start in right field. Seth Lovell is a freshman pitcher who is expected to be a weekday starter.
Outlook for 2019
“The team hopes to improve at the second base position, and last year’s player Joseph Fernando looks to have improved ten-fold throughout the off-season. Brady Norris, having started five games last year on the mound (mostly towards the end of the year), will be the Saturday starter, and he has improved velocity and command throughout the off-season. If the starting pitcher in Saturday and Sunday games, as well as the second base position picks up as expected, the team could be very good.” – Quote provided by Bethune-Cookman Communications Staff.
Coppin State (2018 Record: 21-23-1, 18-4)
Coppin State won only three out-of-conference games last year, but they dominated MEAC competition as they finished first in the Northern division. They went 1-2 in the MEAC Tournament as the one seed.
Returning Players
First baseman Nazier McIlwain hit .327 last year with 27 run scored, 13 doubles, 2 home runs, and 43 RBI. Shortstop Derek Lohr led the team with a .362 average a season ago with 28 runs scored. Second baseman Erik Crossman hit .276 last season and scored 28 runs in just 134 at-bats. Outfielder Marcus Castillo hit .303 last year with 25 runs scored, 2 home runs, and 31 RBI.
Jahmon Taylor will likely lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.66 ERA in 2018 over 71 innings pitched with 81 strikeouts. Aaron Rea will join him on the weekends after posting a 4.38 ERA last year in 72 innings with 52 strikeouts. Branden Redfern had a 3.74 ERA a season ago in 45.2 innings pitched with 27 strikeouts. Corey Treyes will be the teams closer after saving eight games last year with an ERA of 4.05 in 33.1 innings with 32 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Newcomers who could make an impact include: 1B/DH-Justin Banks (JUCO Transfer from Napa Valley College), OF-Matt Day, P-Jonathan Rice, INF-Nick Martinez, OF-Lewis Nunez, P-Matt Urban, and P-Ryan McWilliams.
Outlook for 2019
The team would like to improve their fielding in 2019. And the coaching staff would like to see how this team handles success going into this season.
Delaware State (2018 Record: 7-16, 9-35)
Delaware State finished last in the Northern division this past season with a conference record of 7-16.
Returning Players
Outfielder Darnell Maisonet should return to the lineup after leading the team with a .303 average in 2018 with 23 runs scored, 5 home runs, and 21 RBI. Third baseman Miguel Rivera hit .267 a season ago with 27 runs scored.
Maisonet was also one of their best pitchers last year with an ERA of 2.98 in 42.1 innings with 45 strikeouts. He returns with the most innings pitched rom last season.
Outlook for 2019
Unless they get an influx of incoming talent, this could be another difficult season for Delaware State unless Maisonet can hit 1-9 and pitch every game.
Florida A&M (2018 Record: 25-30, 15-9)
It was a very solid season for Florida A&M in the MEAC as they finished second in the Southern division with 15 conference wins. The beat UMES in the first round of the MEAC but dropped the next two.
Returning Players
Outfielder Jordan Curtis should be a key piece in the lineup this season after hitting .317 last year with 35 runs scored, 27 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. Kaycee Reese hit .279 a year ago with 29 runs scored, 4 home runs, and 20 RBI. He’ll need to step up in the lineup this year.
They lose their top three starters from last year. Jamie Grant may have to step up after posting a 3.28 ERA in 2018 over 49.1 innings with 32 strikeouts. Dylan Carlson was great out of the bullpen last year as well.
Outlook for 2019
This team loses a lot of experience from last year that will be difficult to replace. It’s hard not to see them taking a big step back in 2019.
Norfolk State (2018 Record: 19-30, 13-10)
Norfolk State started the 2018 season 0-11, but they picked things up in conference play finishing second in the Northern division. They went 1-2 in the MEAC Tournament.
Returning Players
Outfielder Justin Hayes led the team in hitting last year with a .347 average to go along with 35 runs scored and 28 stolen bases. Second baseman Alsander Womack hit .314 a season ago with 30 runs scored, 5 home runs, and 31 RBI. Stephen Baughan hit .259 last year with 9 home runs and 30 RBI and will see time at first base and in the DH spot.
Chase Anderson should lead the weekend rotation after posting a 3.12 ERA last year in 98 innings pitched with 78 strikeouts. Jon Mahoney was a solid weekend starter as well in 2018 with a 3.71 ERA in 87.1 innings pitched with 64 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Caleb Ward is a transfer who is a two-way player that could help all over the field. Korey Singh is a JUCO transfer who will compete for the job at first base. Mason Velasquez is another transfer who will be looking for playing time in the outfield. Another JUCO transfer, Brandon Crosby, will compete for playing time on the infield. Freshman Ty Hanchey has a chance to get some work behind the plate.
JUCO transfer Ridge Walker and freshman Justin Walton will hope to add depth to the pitching staff as newcomers.
Outlook for 2019
The coaching staff is hoping to develop more bullpen depth in 2019 – that’s something that really hurt them last season.
North Carolina A&T (32-25, 16-8)
It was an exceptional season for North Carolina A&T as they won over 30 games, won their division, and won the MEAC Tournament.
Returning Players
Outfielder Dawnoven Smith returns after hitting .335 last year with 48 runs scored, 8 home runs, and 45 RBI. AJ Hunt should return to the infield after hitting .316 in 2018 with 45 runs scored, 6 home runs, and 35 RBI. First baseman Zach McLean hit .294 a season ago with 6 home runs and 38 RBI. He as also named the MEAC Tournament MVP. Shortstop Brandon Melendez will be back after missing 2018 due to injury. He hit .363 with 15 stolen bases back in 2017.
Tm Luth and Michael Johnson will return to the weekend rotation. Luth had a 3.98 ERA in 92.2 innings pitched last year with 56 strikeouts, while Johnson posted a 3.82 ERA in 75.1 innings with 43 strikeouts. Leon Hunter is their top bullpen arm coming back after posting a 4.50 ERA last year in 26 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts and a couple of saves. He had a great summer and will get a shot at being the team’s closer.
Newcomers
Dustin Baber is a JUCO transfer who is excellent defender at either middle infield positions. Donte Wade is a freshman outfielder who had an impressive fall.
Evan Gates is a JUCO transfer that look good this fall and will compete for innings on the weekend. Freshman Gianni Smith was up to 91 MPH in the fall and could see significant innings this season.
Outlook for 2019
“We set the same goals every year, and that is to win our division, win our tournament. This team has set a high standard this offseason and I look for them to improve in two key areas. Defensively, with new additions and an improved focus look for our club to make a marked improvement. Also, we want to see our program take a next step in consistency, as we learn what it takes to be our best week in week out for 12 weeks. We put a renewed focus this fall in improving out K/BB ratio. We threw a ton of strikeouts in 2018, and I like the improvement I’ve seen on the mound learning how to finish hitters.” – Head Coach Ben Hall
North Carolina Central (2018 Record: 28-24, 11-13)
NC Central finished fourth in the Southern division last year and missed out on the MEAC Tournament.
Returning Players
Second baseman Corey Joyce returns after being named the MEAC Player of the Year in 2018 when he hit .358 with 43 runs scored, 15 doubles, 6 home runs, 37 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. Outfielder Carter Williams should hit atop the lineup again after batting .307 last year with 41 runs scored, 13 doubles, 5 triples, 6 home runs, 36 RBI, and 12 stolen bases.
Chris Kernen will lead the weekend rotation after posting a 2.85 ERA in 2018 over 60 innings pitched with 51 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Ryan Miller- Freshman RHP. Upper 80’s FB with very good command of three pitches
Myles Coston- Junior college infielder. Versatility to play all three infield positions. He will hit in the middle of the order
Vinny Bailey- Strong Left hand hitting first baseman. Again, will hit in the middle of the order with home run potential. Junior College All-Region player from Louisburg
Josh Brammell- Strong left hand hitting OF. Advanced approach at the plate. Middle 90’s exit velo. Will also hit in the middle of the order
Branden Bell- Junior College RHP- Will have the opportunity to start on the weekends. Three pitches for strikes with plus command of all three
Jonathan Peacock- Freshman RHP. Another upper 80’s RHP with good command of three pitches
- Notes provided by Head Coach Jim Koerner
Outlook for 2019
“Consistency is going to be the biggest key from last season. We need to be playing better baseball in April and May than we are in February and March.” – Head Coach Jim Koerner
Savannah State (2018 Record: 7-34, 4-20)
Savannah State failed to make the MEAC Tournament last year after finishing last in the Southern division.
Returning Players
Second baseman Jalen Atterbury will try to bounce back at the top of the lineup after a down junior season. He had a great fall and will be counted on a lot during the 2019 season. Last year he hit .237 with a couple of home runs and 15 stolen bases.
Luis Torres-Lopez will be competing for the number one spot in the weekend rotation after a solid freshman season and a great fall. Last year he posted a 4.81 ERA in 33.2 innings pitched with 28 strikeouts.
Newcomers
Joey Roberson – 1B – Transfer from Cleveland CC – Hit over .300 during his So. Campaign and will bat in the middle of our lineup
Luis Lamarche – 3B – Transfer from Roane CC – Hit over .300 during his So year in JUCO and will bat in the middle of our lineup. Had a terrific fall on offense and defense.
Trevor Meaney – SS – Freshman from Palm Coast, FL – has really stepped into the role as a young impact bat in our lineup. Has played tremendous defense this fall.
- Notes from Head Coach Carlton Hardy
Outlook for 2019
Head Coach Carlton Hardy said he is looking for leadership this year as his team tries to find way to finish games. He also wants his team to have an aggressive mindset on offense, defense, and on the bases.
UMES (2018 Record: 12-41, 8-16)
Despite winning only eight conference games, UMES qualified for the MEAC Tournament after finishing third in their division. However, they went 0-2 in the MEAC Tournament.
Returning Players
Shortstop Dillon Oxyer hit .233 last year with 25 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. He’ll be a leading voice on the infield. Outfielder Avery Tunnell also returns with a lot of experience. Dominic DeBlasie hit .312 last season and should return behind the plate.
Dwayne Marshall, Marty Tolson, and Caleb Watson will lead a young pitching staff in 2019. Tolson made 10 starts last season, and all three threw over 30 innings in 2018.
Newcomers
Marcus Brown (Fr), Michael Warley (Fr), Cameron Bratton (Fr), Miles Levere (Fr), Devynn Hancock (Jr)—Chesapeake CC, and DJ Doherty (Jr)—Delaware Tech CC.
Outlook for 2019
They only have 11 returning players from the 2018 team, so it’s safe to say this year’s team will be a little inexperienced. How quickly their newcomers get up to speed will determine if they reach the MEAC Tournament again.
2019 All-MEAC Preseason Team
C: Dominic DeBlasie (UMES)
1B: Zach McLean (NC A&T)
2B: Corey Joyce (NC Central)
SS: Nate Sterijevski (Bethune-Cookman)
3B: AJ Hunt (NC A&T)
OF: Dawnoven Smith (NC A&T)
OF: Carter Williams (NC Central)
OF: Justin Hayes (Norfolk State)
DH: Nazier McIlwain (Coppin State)
SP: Anthony Maldonado (Bethune-Cookman)
SP: Chase Anderson (Norfolk State)
SP: Jahmon Taylor (Coppin State)
SP: Tim Luth (NC A&T)
SP: Jon Mahoney (Norfolk State)
RP: Dylan Carlson (Florida A&M)
RP: Corey Treyes (Coppin State)
Honorable Mention:
1B – Danny Rodriguez (Bethune-Cookman)
2B – Alsander Womack (Norfolk State)
SS – Derek Lohr (Coppin State)
OF – Jordan Curtis (Florida A&M)
UTL – Darnell Maisonet (Delaware State)
SP – Michael Johnson (NC A&T)
SP – Chris Kernen (NC Central)
Predicted Order to Finish:
1. NC A&T
2. Coppin State
3. Bethune-Cookman
4. Norfolk State
5. NC Central
6. Florida A&M
7. Delaware State
8. UMES
9. Savannah State
