Baseball Looks To 'Bump Things Up' For 2022 Season
SMC Baseball is excited to begin the ’22 season on January 29 and looks to bump things up a notch after last season’s 35-18 record and Runner-up Region 10 performance. Due to the effects of Covid on the college baseball landscape, the ’21 class was loaded with 3rd-year players who have since moved on. Players off of that squad signed with D1 institutions Winthrop (4), Western Carolina (2), UNC-Greensboro (2), Presbyterian, and Mercer. Others opted for the D2 level and inked with Young Harris (3), Francis Marion, Southern Wesleyan, and Erskine. New faces will obviously have to make the jump happen since only a few position players with significant experience return. Tater Goodson is the most experienced returner and will head up a young catching staff. Hunter Pruitt returns for his 3rd year at 1B and Jordan Young will help patrol the outfield again.
Newcomers joining the catching corps are Transfer Kyle Crawford (Triton, IL) and Freshmen Gray Hollingsworth (Belton-Honea Path), and Rhogue Wallace (Beaufort). Returner Henry Rhodes will also compete for opportunities.
The infield will also have a new wave with Transfer Ryan Williamson (St. Bonaventure) being joined by Freshmen Brandon Moser (Independence, NC), Pep Jordan (Georgetown), Jacob Murray (Chapman), and Davis Campbell (N Augusta). SWU transfer Tyler Rogers will compete for time at 1B.
In the outfield, returner Brayden Ridge looks for playing time alongside USC Transfer Dariyan Pendergrass, Freshmen A’Shani McFarland (Hartsville), Grayson Jones (Polk County, NC), Alex Phillips (Blacksburg) and another transfer Garrett Bridges (CVCC).
The pitching staff returns a few guys who compiled a 13-6 record between them last year. Nate Calloway (2-0), Myles Daniels (5-2), BJ Bailey (1-0), JJ Shelton (3-2), and Graham Edwards (2-2) all pitched in big games last year and are expected to anchor the staff. Notables joining the staff are Transfers Braisson Bourne (Clemson), Baker Cox (CSU), and Stephen West (WCU). Freshmen Garrett Hodges (Greenwood), Kennan Worley (Pendleton), and Maret Drye (Eastside) look to get into the mix as well.
The Pioneer, per usual, will play a tough schedule in ’22 and guys will have to grow on the job and do so quickly in order to make the expected jump. The lineup has the potential to be disruptive with its speed but Pitching may have to hold court early to allow the newcomers time to find their strengths and roles.
The Pioneers home opener will be February 5 beginning at 1:00 pm
