Valdosta State Baseball is on the Rise

Valdosta State baseball is back and looking better than ever. With a new Head Coach and a fresh slate, the team is poised for a breakout season. Keep up with all the news and happenings with the team here.

Valdosta State Baseball A program on the rise

Valdosta State University’s baseball team is on the rise.

The Blazers have seen a steady increase in wins over the past few seasons, and they are poised to make a run at the Division II World Series in the near future.

Under the leadership of head coach Greg Guilliams, Valdosta State has developed into one of the top programs in Division II baseball

The Blazers have won two Division II National Championship titles and have made seven appearances in the Division II World Series

Guilliams has been named Division II Coach of the Year three times, and he has coached numerous All-Americans and professional players during his time at Valdosta State.

The Blazers have a strong core of players returning for the 2018 season, and they are expected to contend for a spot in the Division II World Series once again.

The history of Valdosta State Baseball

Valdosta State University has a long and successful history in Division II baseball. The program has been to the NCAA Division II College World Series nine times, winning the National Championship five times.

Valdosta State first made the trip to the D-II College World Series in 1992. The Blazers would go on to make four more appearances in the early 2000’s, including back-to-back trips in 2001 and 2002. Valdosta State won their first D-II National Championship in 2004, defeating Franklin Pierce in the title game. The Blazers would go on to win four more National Championships in 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2014.

Valdosta State’s success on the baseball diamond has helped put the program on the map nationally. In recent years Valdosta State has produced several Major League Baseball draft picks most notably Houston Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel who was drafted in 2009.

The future looks bright for Valdosta State Baseball as the program looks to add more national championships to its already impressive resume.

The current state of Valdosta State Baseball

Since Coach Greg Gwiazdowski’s arrival in 2013, Valdosta State baseball has seen a sharp rise in success. In his first year, the team went 28-27 and won the Mid-South conference tournament The following year, they went 41-17 and made it to the NCAA Division II College World Series They would make it back to the World Series in 2016, this time finishing as the national runner up.

Gwiazdowski has coached 12 all-conference players and 4 conference Players of the Year. He has also helped 27 of his Valdosta State players be drafted or sign professional contracts (17 since 2015).

The team plays their home games at Billy Grant Field at Mike Martin Stadium, which was renovated prior to the 2014 season. The project included a new press box, concession stands, locker rooms offices, and meeting rooms.

The future of Valdosta State Baseball

Over the past few years, Valdosta State baseball has been on the rise.

Under the direction of Head Coach Greg Frady, the team has seen an increase in wins and a rise in national rankings. In 2017, the team won 42 games, the most in program history. They also made it to the NCAA Division II World Series for the first time in school history.

This success has led to an increase in interest from prospective players. In 2018, 247 Sports ranked Valdosta State’s recruiting class as the 23rd best in Division II baseball. This is up from just being ranked as the number 37 team in 2017.

With a strong Recruiting Class and a core of returning players, Valdosta State Baseball looks to be a force to reckon with for years to come.

Why Valdosta State baseball is on the rise

In recent years Valdosta State Baseball has seen a significant uptick in both popularity and success. The team has made it to the Division II College World Series three times in the last five years, winning the National Championship in 2017.

There are a number of reasons for this newfound success, chief among them being the hiring of Head coach Greg Dolny in 2014. Coach Dolny has instilled a culture of winning within the team, and his players have responded in kind.

In addition to strong coaching, Valdosta State has also benefitted from increased support from the school and local community. Boosters have helped to fund new facilities and upgrades to existing ones, making it one of the best Division II baseball programs in the country.

With strong coaching, improved facilities, and growing support, Valdosta State baseball is on the rise and poised for continued success in the years to come.

How Valdosta State baseball has developed over the years

Since Valdosta State University brought baseball back as a NCAA Division II sport in 2006, the program has seen a steady rise in prominence. In the years since their return to D2 baseball, the Blazers have made the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships six times, including a run to the College World Series in 2009.

Under head coach Greg Gwizdala, Valdosta State has developed a reputation as one of the top programs in Division II baseball. The Blazers have had at least 30 wins in each of the last 10 seasons, and have won 40 or more games in seven of those seasons.

In addition to their success on the field, Valdosta State has also been successful in developing players for professional baseball In the last 10 years, 18 Valdosta State players have been selected in the MLB Draft and four have gone on to play in Major League Baseball

The Key Players in Valdosta State Baseball’s success

With a current record of 29-5, Valdosta State Baseball is having one of its best seasons in recent years The team’s success is due in large part to the contributions of several key players

The team’s leader in batting average is senior outfielder Jordan Brooks, who is hitting an impressive .392. Brooks has also been a key contributor on the basepaths, stealing 17 bases so far this season.

Another important player for Valdosta State has been junior pitcher Brandon Smith. Smith has compiled a 7-1 record so far this season, with a sparkling 2.29 ERA. He has also struck out an impressive 92 batters in just 85 innings of work.

Senior pitcher Kyle Keller has also been lights out for Valdosta State, posting a 6-0 record and a 1.96 ERA. Keller has given up just 27 runs in 122 innings pitched over his career at Valdosta State, an amazing statistic.

These three players have been instrumental in Valdosta State’s success this season, and they will be key to the team’s continued success in the future.

The challenges Valdosta State Baseball faces moving forward

The Valdosta State Baseball Team has seen a lot of success in recent years, but the challenges the team faces moving forward should not be underestimated.

One challenge the team faces is a lack of funding. While the team has been able to raise some money through donations and other means, it is not enough to sustain the program long-term. Another challenge is a lack of exposure. Valdosta State is not a power conference school, which means that the team does not get as much exposure as other teams in the country.

Despite these challenges, Valdosta State Baseball has a lot of potential. The team has a strong core of young players and if they can continue to develop and grow, they could become one of the best teams in the country. With continued support from fans and donors, Valdosta State baseball has a bright future ahead.

What makes Valdosta State Baseball unique

Valdosta State baseball is on the rise and is poised to make a run at the Division II National Championship The team has a unique combination of talent, experience, and coaching that makes them a force to be reckoned with.

Head coach Greg Bergeron has assembled a talented group of players that have the ability to compete with anyone in the country. The team is led by senior shortstop Austin Buckner, who is a two-time All-American and the reigning Division II National Player of the Year. Buckner is joined by fellow All-Americans, outfielder Jude Vidyarthi and pitcher Ryan Ruggles.

This group of talented players is augmented by a strong group of returners that includes pitchers Ethan Elliott and Colton port, infielder Dylan Dyson, and outfielder Kaleb Jarrell. This experience will be vital as the team looks to make a deep run in the postseason.

The team is also fortunate to have one of the best pitching coaches in the country in Doug Dascenzo. Dascenzo coached Valdosta State pitchers to a Division II National Championship in 2014 and has helped develop numerous professional pitchers. His experience and knowledge will be invaluable as the team looks to make a run at the title.

With a talented roster, experienced Coaching Staff and favorable schedule, Valdosta State is primed for a deep run in the postseason.

Conclusion

The Blazers have consistently ranked in the top ten of the NCAA Division II Baseball Rankings in recent years. In 2019, they claimed the number one spot for several weeks. They also won back-to-back Gulf South conference championships in 2017 and 2018. And in 2019, they made it to the NCAA Division II College World Series for the first time in program history.

Valdosta State baseball is on the rise. The team has seen a lot of success in recent years, and they show no signs of slowing down. If you’re a fan of college baseball Valdosta State is a team to keep an eye on.