Organizational Details

  • Last VBL Title: 2012
  • Head Coach: This is Bob Wease’s 20th season at the helm of the Turks; he took over the head coaching duties in 2002!
  • Recruiter: Wease
  • Key Alumni in Pro Ball: Kyle McCann (2017) is at Oakland’s Double-A affiliate; Emilio Pagan (2010) is the sometimes-closer for Minnesota.

2021 Recap

The Turks finished third in the South Division with a record of 19-21 in the regular season. Staunton bounced the club with a sweep in the first round of the playoffs. Michael Rosario (Miami) led the team at the plate, while Andres Rodriguez (Florida Tech) led the rotation.

Returners

  • Nicolas Calero, Davidson (New Market 2021)
  • Jackson Dennies, Notre Dame (2021)
  • Logan McClure, West Virginia Tech (2021)
  • Garrett Warden, West Virginia Tech (2021)
  • Jaylon Lee, EMU (JMU commit) (Woodstock 2021)
  • Will Carter, Mars Hill (2021)

Hitters to Watch

(Stats are through Tues, May 17)

  • Jaylon Lee: Lee finished fifth in the league with 37 RBIs last summer, and was the MVP of the North in the All-Star game for his performance at the plate along with stealing a home run in center field. He hit .382/.430/.711 in 152 at-bats this spring, with 14 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, and seven stolen bases. He was named first-team All-ODAC.
  • Jake Reinisch, Wake Forest: .347/.493/.565 in 170 at-bats, 14 doubles, seven home runs
  • Mitchell Farris, Wingate: .359/.445/.695 in 131 at-bats, with 11 doubles, three triples, and nine home runs
  • Dallas Callahan, UNC Greensboro: .301/.405/.406 in 143 at-bats, with ten doubles
  • Christian Ficca, Georgetown: .306/.432/.459 in 111 at-bats, with five doubles and four home runs

Pitchers to Watch

  • Eli Davis, Oklahoma City: 10-1, 1.45 in 74 innings, with 95 K’s… his ERA is third in all of NAIA
  • Logan McClure: A top starter in 2021
  • Jackson Dennies: 1-1, 5.65, 16 K’s in 14 innings
  • Sean Culkin, JMU: 2-2, 4.70 in 30 ⅔ innings
  • Evan Smith, JMU: 0-0, 1.50 in six innings
  • Casey Smith, JMU: Three innings this spring

Other Notes

  • Evan and Casey Smith are twins
  • Mitchell Farris won a D-II NCAA title with Wingate in 2021