PRESEASON TEAM/NEWCOMER LIST

CLEVELAND, Tenn.- The Baseball coaches of the Gulf South Conference picked Lee University to finish third in the annual pre-season poll that was released by the GSC headquarters on Thursday. Defending champion, University of West Florida, received 12 of the 13 first-place votes, Valdosta State University was second, followed by the Flames.

"We feel we have a strong team returning and it is nice to be recognized in the top half of the conference pre-season poll. It will be a battle each week throughout the conference schedule. Playing with toughness and consistency will be keys for our season outlook," commented Lee coach Mark Brew after observing the poll.

Coach Brew added, "I always think West Florida and Delta State University are two teams you must beat in order to make a run in this conference. (Overall, the coaches picked Delta State to place 6th). They have carried the torch consistently for the GSC. With that being said, every weekend has value, and the league has such balance that it is a tough task every time you suit up."

The University of Montevallo, University of Alabama-Huntsville, Delta State, University of West Georgia, Shorter University, Mississippi College, University of West Alabama, Auburn-University Montgomery, Union University, and Christian Brothers University round out the voting in the coaches' poll.

The Flames are scheduled to open the season on Feb. 2nd and 3^rd when an old SSAC and NAIA rival Southern Wesleyan University visits Larry Carpenter Stadium for the three-game series.

Malachi Cloud enjoyed an outstanding freshman season in 2023 and was joined by red-shirt junior catcher/first baseman Riley Black in being named to the GSC All-Preseason Team. However, Cloud and red-shirt junior Seth Parker will miss the entire spring season due to injuries. "We all know what Malachi brings to the table after his super season as a freshman," noted the Lee coach. "Seth would have been in line to log a lot of innings, but we will red shirt both and work with them to get healthy for the 2025 season."

The Flames are blessed with a solid list of returnees back from a squad that finished 28-28 overall and made a strong run in the GSC tournament before falling to Valdosta State and West Florida.

Dylan Standifer will be starting his fourth season and has been steady as a rock. Last season he finished with a .330 batting average, 53 RBI and 53 runs scored from his leadoff spot in the batting order. Brandon Daniels is well established in right field and brings power to the left-side of the plate. The lefty hit .344 with a team-leading 15 home runs and 44 RBI. Junior first baseman Cam Suto is the complete package. He combines speed with power and is locked in around the first-base bag. He paced the team in hitting in 2023 with a .354 mark. Cam was the top RBI man with 58 and was the best with 74 hits and 16 doubles. Add Black to the mix and you can see why other conference coaches see the Flames in the top three. He joins three teammates who hit well over .300 (.322). Black also smashed double-digit homers (11). Red-shirt junior Josiah Miller battled injuries during his first season as a Lee player. He hit .263, scored 47 runs and knocked in 33. Coach Brew will welcome back junior right-hander Jack Nedrow to anchor his pitching staff. The workhorse pitched in 14 games last season and registered 72 innings in posting a 7-2 record.

The list of key recruits and transfers is headed by outfielder Brantley Cutler, a graduate student from University of Maryland Eastern-Shore; right-handed pitcher Ty Cobb, a transfer from Walters State Community College; right-hander Nelson Smith a transfer from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock; and right-handed pitcher Zachary Lawson, a freshman from Stewarts Creek High School, Smyrna, Tenn.

After looking over his club in fall training and early spring, Coach Brew says his offense returns a lot of punch from 2023, and defensively the infield has made big strides and has been excellent. "The infield will be looked upon to lead the defense and our depth on the mound has improved drastically," he proclaimed. "Our pitching roles haven't yet totally been defined, and we need guys to step forward and excel in opportunities when they get them." 

Coach Brew Breaks Down 2024 Squad 

"Our returners in the offense will be leaned on a lot for this season. The outfield is the most veteran group of the team. Standifer has been a huge part of our program for the past four years and is locked-in to wrapping up his career in style. Daniels is another fifth-year guy who has shown big power over the past two seasons and will be a key in the middle of the line-up. Red-shirt sophomore JJ Williams has shown what he can do when healthy and has looked great this fall and early spring. Cutler is a key transfer and brings a big, experienced left-handed bat to the line-up. Freshman Mark Underwood is a gritty player and has a bright future for us. 

"On the infield we have the bookends, Miller at third and Suto at first returning. Josiah had a great season going until a hand injury limited his production down the stretch. Suto showed what he is capable of and will be a key guy in the middle of the line-up again. Slick fielding shortstop Ashton Simmons is a lockdown defender and has improved offensively. Fifth-year player Luke Hughes is a solid defender at second base and is primed for a great offensive season. Red-shirt freshman Luke Collier was trending in a great direction until an injury ended his 2023 freshman campaign and after a medical redshirt, he is looking great in pre-season. Freshman Cooper Isaacs will add depth in the middle infield and has come a long way as a player since the beginning of the fall. Red-shirt Gavin Baxter gained some experience last year and is continuing to improve and is an option at third base. Senior Matthew Batts looks to figure into the designated hitter spot and provide depth at first base. He has a big time-bat, and he is heathier in 2024. Freshman Dakota Peace is a local product and is a solid defender at first base. He has a solid bat as well and will provide additional depth. 

"Behind the plate will be red-shirt junior Black who has some big-time juice at the plate and a big-time arm behind the plate. He will lead a core of four catchers. Red-shirt senior Adam Goolsby has been one of the most improved in the program and has earned some opportunities behind the plate. Red-shirt sophomore Brock Sisson has continued to develop and has power and athleticism blended along with an excellent arm. Freshman Isaiah French is one of the most physically gifted players in the program and is working hard to improve his skills. Offensively, he has strength beyond his years. 

"On the mound, we return workhorse junior right-hander Nedrow. He will anchor our staff for the third straight year. The Flames will be searching for other options to round out the rotation. Left-handers (red-shirt junior) Keegan Gagliardo and (sophomore) Colt McKibben have looked good in scrimmages and are in the mix. Transfer (red-shirt junior) Nelson Smith and his power sinker and 6-foot-8 frame has really come on as of late. Red-shirt junior Frankie Volkers is healthy this year and could be a big key to the depth of the rotation.  Freshman Zachary Lawson is one of the most physical players in the program and projects to be a durable piece for the staff.  Ty Cobb is a guy that has impressed and can pitch in multiple type roles in the spring. Red-shirt senior Jax Howard continues to improve and has arguably the best metrics and fastball on the team.  

Depth of Rotation: "Some of our guys will find themselves in the fight for rotation spots and some will assist in the bullpen. Guys that will start in the bullpen will be led by fireman Hunter Lane, a red-shirt junior right-hander. Hunter has been used as a closer in the past and is a great competitor. Senior right-hander Cole Matthaidess has been one of the best bullpen guys in the early season. He is pounding the zone and has developed a heavy sinker/slider combo that is excellent. Hard-throwing junior right-hander David White is a back-end-type guy and continues to improve. Red-shirt junior right-hander Lucas Quezada has gained a lot of traction this year after transferring last year and will help in middle relief. Left-handed junior red-shirt transfer Matthew Delph has battled some injuries and is trending towards good health. When healthy, he will be a key asset to the staff. Junior right-hander Tim Gooden is a fierce competitor and high energy guy when he arrives on the mound and will pitch in some key situations out of the bullpen. Red-shirt freshman Cal Goss is a right-hander who has made tremendous strides and is knocking on the door for big innings. Freshmen right-hander Eric Boggess and lefty Sam Crowell have super futures and will continue to develop throughout the spring." 

Goals for club: "It is hard to put numerical goals on the team. We want to be a team that continually improves throughout the 2024 season and exhibits toughness in all situations," concluded Brew after previewing his squad. 

2024 GSC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. West Florida (12)........................144 pts
2. Valdosta State.............................125 pts
3. Lee..............................................109 pts
4. Montevallo...................................101 pts
5. Alabama Huntsville (1)..................99 pts
6. Delta State.....................................96 pts
7. West Georgia.................................93 pts
8. Shorter............................................73 pts
9. Mississippi College.........................48 pts
10. West Alabama..............................47 pts
11. Auburn Montgomery......................38 pts
12. Union.............................................28 pts
13. Christian Brothers...........................13 pts
First-place votes in parentheses