Benedict College head baseball coach Selwyn Young begins his tenth season with the Benedict Tigers. Young had quite an experience this summer managing the Plattsburgh Redbirds in the Empire Professional Baseball League. The team made the playoffs and won the team batting average title. According to coach Young, “being with these pro kids, watching them play in their volleyball sneakers (from the destitute background they come), allowed me an eye opening experience to the college player’s lack of focus and discipline.” This will help the Tigers preparation in fall ball for the 2019 season.”
Last season, Benedict College stole its 2000th base in Young’s nine year tenure and led the NCAA in stolen bases per game for the seventh time in nine years. The Tigers also led Black College Baseball in stolen bases for the 9th year in a row. Offensively, they have 18 returning players from last season along with four redshirts. Last year was a growing year for a mostly underclassman team.
Benedict’s returning players will have to fill the shoes of the graduated “big three” David White, Jr., Armando Valentin and Andrew Mcoy who contributed to the Tigers leading in team batting average, earned run average, home runs, stolen bases and scoring last season.
These are the core hitters for the 2019 team. Young looks for them to have a great year offensively as well as defensively and also to be very aggressive on the basepaths.
Top returners:
Joey Macaluso – Infielder/RHP hit 9 home runs, hit over 300. and has improved on his plate discipline.
Christopher Harper – Infielder also hit over .300 and stole 27 bases and looks very impressive this fall.
Myles Snype – Outfielder/LHP also hit over .300 last year and has improved on his plate discipline.
Darian Willams – Redshirt Catcher/RHP hit over.300 in 2017 and returns.
Michael Garner – Outfielder Michael Garner also hit over.300 last year and has improved.
Christopher Floyd – Redshirt Catcher hit over .300 in 2017 and has improved behind the plate.
Transfers:
TreVohn Jeffery – St Augustine’s first base.
Sterling Smith – Indiana Wesleyan outfielder.
Murrell Martin – Bluefield College RHP
The Tigers have 19 pitchers on their new and improved pitching staff. This is the most pitching depth that they have ever had at Benedict with a strong crop of freshmen in the rotation
New recruits:
Jorge Baez – Outfielder
Raul Vargas – RHP
Jared Carter – RHP
Anthony Preston – RHP
Jordan Kennedy – Outfielder
Juan Arajuo – Catcher
Benedict recently completed some key days for Tiger baseball. Annual MLB Scout Day Friday October 12th and annual alumni game Sunday October 21st.