Coming off a recording-setting season since moving to NCAA DII (36-11, 26-6 GSC), Coach Mark Brew and his Lee Flames will begin the 2022 season on February 4th at the University of North Georgia without a pair of All-Americans, pitcher Logan Workman (7^th-round draft pick of Tampa Bay Rays) and slugging first baseman Ryan Beamish. Third baseman Alan Smith and closer Andy Rivera joined Workman and Beamish on the All-GSC team. 

Top returners leading the way 
Brew and his staff will be calling on flame-throwing Alan Carter, shortstop Thomas Zarraro, third baseman Justen Freeman, outfielder/third baseman, Dylan Standifer, and outfielders Brandon Daniels Nate Bynum and Joshua Perez to help lead the way in 2022.

Looking at transfers, new recruits 
Transfers - Right-handed pitcher Sam Fulton (Chattanooga St/Univ. of Tennessee), right-handed pitcher Miguel Alba (Florida International, right-handed pitcher Cameron Land (Southern Union State), left-handed Sean Casteel (Gardner-Webb Univ.), catcher Isaac Quinones (Univ. of Miami), right-handed pitcher Hunter Lane (Chattahocohee Valley CC), middle infielder Jake Edwards (Andrew College) head the list. 

High School Recruits - Right-handed pitcher Jack Nedrow (Siegel), outfield/first baseman Cam Suto (Sprayberry), outfielder JJ Williams (Christ Presbyterian Academy) should be ready to step in. 

A walk around diamond 
Pitchers – "We have had to rebuild the majority of the pitching staff that was lost to graduation in 2021," pointed out Coach Brew. "Hard throwing Alan Carter is back and was really good down the stretch for us in 2021. After that, we will be searching early in the season for players to fill the rotation and key bullpen spots." He noted that freshman Jack Nedrow was one of the team's most consistent arms in the fall and is in line for an opportunity to throw lots of innings this spring. He added that transfers Miguel Alba, Sam Fulton, Cameron Land, and Sean Casteel have also looked impressive and should fill large roles. Sophomore Brycen Jewell and transfer Hunter Lane have looked good at times, and it appears they could be used in a short relief/closer-type role. Red-shirt sophomore Greyson Linderman has displayed a great arm and could factor into a big spot also. Left-handed pitcher Seth Coffelt is back after a red-shirt year and Brew says he could be a key piece of the puzzle. He mentioned that sophomore Cole Matthaidess is a great competitor who continues to develop on the mound and will fill some key innings; that red-shirt sophomore Jax Howard has improved tremendously and should be a big factor with some big innings; also red-shirt junior left hander Kade Kozak has solid stuff and has a chance to be a big boost to the bullpen and freshmen Tim Gooden and Landon Maynor provide additional depth to the bullpen while Ian Mayes will red-shirt in 2022 due to an injury. 

Catchers – Brew said sophomore Riley Black was one of his best players this past fall, but the team was dealt a big blow when Black went down with an arm injury which will require him to red-shirt in 2022.  "We are fortunate to have an accomplished and experienced catcher in Isaac Quinones. Isaac is a transfer from the University of Miami and was a freshman All-American," commented Coach Brew. "Adam Goolsby is back and has really improved in his time at Lee. He swings it well and has improved behind the plate. Transfer Riley Majano (Towson University) was added at break to provide another great option at a position we are banged up at. Second-year player Job Golden is battling back from a surgery and will provide additional help when healthy and freshman Brock Sisson is developing rapidly and provides another option behind the plate." 

Infielders – The Flames have Justen Freeman back after a great year of offensive production at the designated-hitter spot and will hold down the third-base spot.  Dylan Standifer has versatility and provides another great option and freshman Logan Holmes provides a quality left-handed bat at the position as he continues to develop. Thomas Zazzaro has been a fixture at the shortstop position. "He is primed to have a big offensive season and continues to provide his lock-down defense," according to Coach Brew. Transfer Jake Edwards provides an option at short or second. "Returner Luke Hughes has shown signs of being a great player and is looking for a big season at second base," added Brew. "Freshman Ashton Simmons has good hands and has improved offensively. Freshman Gavin Baxter is developing and can play both middle-infield positions. Jared Demkowicz is back after minimal time in 2021 but has as a chance to be key guy at first base. Matthew Batts has a sweet left-handed swing and some big power and will be a factor somewhere in the lineup. Brenham Daniell has improved a lot and could be a factor and freshman Cam Suto will also be a key at the first base position." 

Outfielders – Brew says the outfield provides the deepest positions on the team and possibly the most experience positions. "Dylan Standifer is poised for a great year offensively and holds down the left-field spot. Nate Bynum has outstanding speed and is a great defender in center. Brandon Daniels had a breakthrough year in 2021 and will hit in the middle of the lineup. Joshua Perez had some big moments down the stretch in 2021 and looked good in fall workouts. He will be a key to the lineup. Grant Lackey provides another left-handed bat and can be a great center fielder. Talented freshmen Cam Suto and JJ Williams have bright futures that could emerge quickly in 2022," explained Brew. 

Toughest schedule – "It is the toughest schedule I have ever been a part of at Lee. We will be challenged all the way through it," admitted Coach Brew. "Tampa has been arguably the best Division II team in the country, and we have them coming to campus in April. We open with a perennial top 25 program in North Georgia and open our home schedule with Lindenwood University, who was one game away from the DII World Series in 2021. We have our traditional mid-week battles with quality SAC programs in Tusculum, Carson-Newman, and Lincoln Memorial. Add in World Series participant Trevecca, plus Emmanuel College, and Peach Belt power Young Harris and you can see why I view this schedule in such high esteem."  

Teams to beat in GSC – The coach added that the GSC is always a rugged road to travel. "It is hard to project who will be the top teams, but you can count on West Florida and Delta State to be factors on an annual basis, but so many teams can win this conference in any given year," he quickly pointed out.  

Coaching staff – Not only are there several new members to the Lee squad, but the coaching staff also has new faces as well. "Andrew Elliott has joined us as pitching coach, transitioning from Lincoln Trail Community College. He is doing a great job with a young pitching staff. Jorge Saez is not new to Lee, but new to his role as hitting coach," said Brew. The former Flame was drafted by the Blue Jays, and after spending eight seasons in professional baseball between the Blue Jays and Yankees, he returned to Lee to finish his degree in 2021. "It was an easy promotion to fill the vacant spot as Coach Saez is well respected and does a tremendous job with our hitters and catchers. Brooks DuBose joins us from Covenant College as our graduate assistant. Brooks works with infielders and assists with hitters. Student assistant Dallas Schultheis is back and provides assistance in a variety of roles inside of practice." 

Primary team goals – "Our primary goal is to improve weekly and compete at the top of the conference. We have lots of new faces and it's going to be a great challenge, but I really like this team's chemistry and how much they have grown since the fall. Health is a big key for us with guys returning along with staying healthy throughout the season," concluded Coach Brew.