Organizational Details

 

  • Last VBL Title: 2011
  • General Manager: Neil Andreoli
  • Head Coach: Logan Williamson: Williamson was hired before the 2020 season was cancelled. He spent 2021 as the volunteer assistant at Pensacola State College. (He also gave me the info for this preview)
  • Andreoli and Williamson recruited this team.
  • Key Alumni: Jason Kipnis (2006-07), Michael Gigliotti (2015), J.D. Mundy (2018)

 

2019 Season Recap

 

The 2019 Lumberjacks finished at 21-21, third in the South Division, ten games behind Waynesboro. Covington lost to 2nd place Charlottesville in the first round of the playoffs, two games to one. Team MVP was Christian Torres (UMBC), Cy Young was Calyb King (West Virginia Tech), and the “Glue Guy” was Matthew Cocciadiferro (NYIT).

 

Returners

 

There are no returners at this time.

 

Key Hitters

 

  • Jabronski Williams (Alabama State)- hitting .329/.460/.483 with 13 extra base hits and 10 stolen bases for the Hornets
  • Trenton Jamison (Alabama State)- hitting .390/.460/.634 with 12 doubles and eight home runs this spring
  • Nathan Becker (Rice)- The freshman was rated at the #3 first baseman in Texas coming out of high school
  • William Burbank (Rice)- Also a freshman, he was ranked as a top 100 player in Texas in 2020
  • Paxton Tomaini (Chipola)- A .300 hitter in a tough conference, switch hitter, a “gamer” with a full season of experience, and a solid defender at shortstop

 

Key Pitchers

 

  • Javen Coleman (LSU)- low 90’s fastball with good life, has struck out 22 batters in 15 1/3 innings this spring
  • Garrett Edwards (LSU)- has good stuff and pounds the zone, started two games and appeared in 17 out of the bullpen. Has four saves and 25 strikeouts in 27 innings.
  • Hunter Mink (Florida)- Has not allowed an earned run in three appearances for the Gators
  • Hunter Viets (Auburn-Montgomery)- Was the ace for his college team this spring, going 3-7, 3.12 in 12 starts, with 75 K’s in 78 innings pitched
  • Avery Heiple (Potomac State)- a high strikeout lefty who could either start or relieve; has struck out a ridiculous 80 batters in 38 2/3 college innings

 

Other Notes

 

  • Both Williamson and his assistant, Cory Middleton, played pro ball, and look forward to blending the college and pro worlds for the Lumberjack roster
  • Triston Hensley (Emory & Henry) continues the tradition of having at least one local kid on the team- he attended Alleghany High School and lists Covington as his hometown
  • The pitching staff is really tall; there is a young man who is six-foot-seven, another at six-foot-five, and four players at six-foot-four. Anyone for some pickup basketball?
  • John Schroeder is the first rising freshman in Covington’s history. A high-makeup catcher who was named third team All-State in Florida this spring, Schroeder is planning to attend Florida Atlantic this fall.
  • Garrett Edwards received several Division-I scholarship offers to play basketball.

For much, much, MUCH more about the Valley League, check out All Things Valley League.