Claflin University’s baseball program is excited for this upcoming 2020 season. The Panthers baseball team will be part of the Peach Belt Conference (for baseball only), one of the premier NCAA Division II baseball conferences.
The Panthers opened its fall season on September 16, 2019. The roster is full of athletes who can compete at a high level. This year’s pitching staff has a mix of young players and transfers. Claflin will look to junior lefty Makai Holloway to lead the pitching staff.
Returning to the lineup will be Black College Nines Small Schools Player of The Year Gerardric Dobbs. Dobbs’ glove and bat are a staple in the lineup.
RETURNERS
Tavion Towers
Justin Josey
Makai Holloway
Eric McElveen
Garardric Dobbs
Molik Brown
Rashad Frazier
Nicholas Johnson
Malik Sadler
Kyriq Woods
Malik James
Caleb Green
The Panthers have added several transfers to its lineup this year. Transfers who head coach James Randall will look to make an immediate impact are Steve Joyner, Jr. In the outfield, and infield, utility/pitcher Charles Jackson and middle infielder Joshua Terry.
TRANSFERS
Steve Joyner
Gabriel Rentas
Joshua Terry
Chris McKenzie
Dermus Strozier
Keati Buchanian
X’zavier Johnson
Jordan McCray
Talmon Hubbard
Claflin added several good freshman to the team who will see some playing time during the 2020 season. Freshman Kyle Hawkins and Charles Jackson along with Kyle Hawkins, Corey Brown, Deccarrius Chapman, Daniel Lucas and Jah’kealen Walker should factor in to Claflin’s success.
The Panthers also held its annual MLB Scout day on September 17, in which 10 different organizations were on hand to evaluate several of Claflin players. All the scouts have showed interest in the program and expressed that they will return in the spring during the season.