Winthrop Baseball: A Program on the Rise

Winthrop Baseball is a program on the rise. With a strong recruiting class coming in and a core group of talented returners, the Eagles are poised to make a run at the conference title Follow along as we chronicle their journey.

Introduction

Under Head Coach Mark Laird, the Winthrop University Eagles have seen a marked improvement in their baseball program In his four years at the helm, Laird has led the Eagles to a NCAA Division I regional appearance and consecutive Big South regular season championships. The team has also set numerous program records, including wins in a season (42 in 2018), home runs in a season (104 in 2018), and consecutive wins (17 in 2018). With Laird at the helm, the future looks bright for Winthrop baseball

The Team

This year’s team is filled with talent and experience, making them a tough out for any opponent. The lineup features a mix of upperclassmen and young talent that provides a nice blend of power and speed. The starting rotation has a good mix of left- and right-handed pitchers, and the bullpen is deep with a number of different looks. Defensively, the team is solid up the middle and has good range in the outfield. Overall, this is a well-rounded team that has the potential to do big things this season.

The Fans

As the spring season rapidly approaches, the small town of Winthrop, Massachusetts is abuzz with preparations for their Favorite Pastime – baseball. The community gathers every year to support their High School team, the Winthrop Tigers. The team has a rich history dating back to 1893, and over the years, they’ve gained a passionate following.

The fans are what make the program special. They’re dedicated, supportive, and always eager to see the team succeed. They pack the stands for every Home game and travel to away games to cheer on the Tigers.

The fans are a big part of why the Winthrop Baseball Program is on the rise. With their support, the team has been able to build a strong foundation for future success.

The Stadium

The home of Winthrop Baseball is The Winthrop Ballpark, located in Rock Hill, South Carolina The stadium boasts a seating capacity of 3,200 people and features a concessions area, press box, and luxury suites. The ballpark was constructed in 2002 and has undergone numerous renovations since then, most notably the addition of the suites in 2010.

The team has seen a lot of success in recent years thanks in large part to the support of the community. Winthrop fans are some of the most passionate and dedicated in all of college baseball and they often pack the stands to capacity for home games

If you’re looking for a Great Place to watch some college baseball Winthrop Ballpark is the place to be.

The Schedule

The Winthrop baseball team has finalized its schedule for the upcoming season The Eagles will open the season on February 15th with a three-game series against North Carolina A&T. They will then hit the road for a six-game road trip beginning with a three-game series at Clemson (February 22-24) and followed by a three-game set at Coastal Carolina (February 28-March 2). After returning home for a five-game homestand, which includes matchups with James Madison (March 7-9), Appalachian State (March 14) and Charlotte (March 16-17), Winthrop will embark on its longest road trip of the season, an 11-day, 10-game swing through Florida. The Eagles will take on Jacksonville (March 21), Florida Gulf Coast (March 22), Stetson (March 23), Miami (OH) (March 27), Pittsburgh (March 29), Embry-Riddle (April 1), Florida International (April 3) and South Florida (April 5-7).

The Rivalries

Winthrop University’s Baseball Team has a long and storied history of success. The Eagles have won 3 Big South Conference Championships and have made 7 NCAA tournament appearances. But, perhaps the most impressive thing about Winthrop baseball is the team’s ability to maintain a high level of success despite playing in one of the most competitive conferences in the country.

The Big South Conference is home to some of the best baseball programs in the country. Programs like Liberty, Coastal Carolina and High Point have all been nationally ranked in recent years In order to compete with these schools, Winthrop has had to make some adjustments.

One of the biggest differences between Winthrop and its conference rivals is the team’s recruiting strategy. While most Big South teams focus on signing local players, Winthrop has made a concerted effort to recruit internationally. This strategy has paid off in a big way, as the Eagles have been able to sign some top-tier talent from countries like Australia, Canada, and Puerto Rico

Another difference that sets Winthrop apart from its conference foes is the team’s approach to player development The Eagles have a state-of-the-art training facility that gives their players access to top-notch resources and coaches. This commitment to player development has helped Winthrop produce some very successful Major League Baseball alumni, including All-Stars like Adam Lind and Justin Smoak.

Despite these differences, one thing remains the same for Winthrop baseball: The team’s dedication to winning. The Eagles have their sights set on winning another Big South Conference Championship and making another deep run in the NCAA Tournament With a strong mix of veteran leadership and young talent, there is no doubt that Winthrop is a program on the rise.

The Tradition

The Winthrop baseball program has a rich tradition dating back to the early 1900s. The Eagles have won numerous conference championships and made several trips to the NCAA tournament including a berth in the College World Series in 2006. In recent years the program has battled through some tough times, but is now on the rise under head coach Kevin O’Sullivan.

The Coaches

In just four years, the Winthrop baseball team has transformed from a struggling Division II program to a championship-contending team in the Big South Conference Much of this success is due to the Coaching Staff who have instilled a new level of discipline and professionalism in the team.

Head coach Kevin Callahan has been with the team since its inception in 2014. He was previously the Head Coach at Division III Keene State College where he led the Owls to six conference titles and seven NCAA tournament appearances. Callahan was also named conference Coach of the Year three times.

Assistant coach Nick Schnabel joined the staff in 2016 after spending two seasons as an assistant at his alma mater, Division I University of Richmond. Schnabel was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school but injuries derailed his playing career. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the game to the Winthrop coaching staff

Pitching coach Chris Lemonis was hired in 2017 after spending two seasons as an assistant at Indiana State University Lemonis is a well- respected pitching coach, and his arrival has helped raise the level of play of Winthrop’s pitching staff.

The Winthrop coaches have instilled a new culture of winning in the program, and their success on the diamond is reflective of that.

The Future

Winthrop Baseball is on the rise.

After years of struggling, the program has made vast improvements in recent years and is poised to be a force in the Big South Conference.

Under the leadership of Head coach Tom Riginos, the Eagles have won back-to-back conference championships and made three straight NCAA tournament appearances.

The future is bright for Winthrop baseball. With a strong core of young talent, the Eagles are poised to compete for conference and national titles for years to come.

Conclusion

The Winthrop Baseball Program has come a long way in a short amount of time. In just four years, the Eagles have gone from being a doormat in the Big South to one of the top teams in the conference. With a solid core of young talent, Winthrop looks poised to contend for a conference championship for many years to come. Thanks for following along all season!