The DII Report: Peach Belt Conference fall reports
While some star power is gone, there is plenty returning for another heated race in the tricky PBC.
We continue our look at DII baseball fall reports, turning our attention to the Peach Belt Conference.
FALL REPORTS: Conference Carolinas
Last year, it was once again Cougar Country, as Columbus State finished atop the standings. The Cougars made it all the way to Super Regionals, where their season came to an end to the reigning national champions. It was Young Harris that won the PBC tournament — its second win since 2019 — and earned a spot in the tournament as well.
With teams like North Georgia seemingly a lock for 30-win seasons and up-and-comers like Georgia Southwestern, the Peach Belt should be a fun race once again.
Peach Belt Conference 2022 final standings
If you’re a long-time follower, you know these are quick hits, highlighting some players to get on your radar as the season approaches. If you are new, welcome to the DII Report: DII baseball fall reports.
The DII fall report: Peach Belt
Columbus State
Head coach: Greg Appleton
Returning player to watch: Steven Minter, 1B. The big righty listed at 6-foot-2 and 195, will be the heart of the lineup with Robert Brooks and David Meadows gone. He can certainly do it after hitting .363 with 14 home runs and 70 RBI a year ago.
Pitcher to watch: Peyton Burton, RHP. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds, Burton sits 91-92 mph, with a good cutter and slider. Coach Appleton expects him to be the closer again in '23 after going 4-2 with 5 saves in '22.
Newcomer to watch: Ian King, C. King transfers from South Georgia Junior College with the dubious honor of “replacing” program legend Brooks.
Under-the-radar player to watch: Leo Giannoni, RHP. The sophomore sidearmer is expected to take a step forward this year.
What Coach Appleton said: “We lost two great players in catcher Robert Brooks and 3B David Meadows but return a good nucleus from '22 team. Starting pitching will be the key to our success.”
Georgia Southwestern
Head coach: Josh McDonald
Returning player to watch: Miles Hartsfield, Infielder.
Pitcher to watch: Nick McCollum, RHP. The first-team All-Conference pitcher has a four-pitch mix (FB, SL, CH, C) which he throws for strikes and his fastball is up to 94.
Newcomer to watch: Kalvin Alexander, C/OF. The transfer from Florida Southwestern State has plus power (reports are 115 exit velocity) off of Rapsodo while being a plus defender behind the dish
Under-the-radar players to watch: Chris Patterson. An outfield transfer from Bethune Cookman that hit .344 with 13 doubles and 24 stolen bases last year. Jake Blinstrub is another outfield transfer from College of Mount Saint Vincent. He hit .494 and was a DIII All-American that was the back-to-back Skyline Conference player of the year.
What Coach McDonald said: "We are excited for this upcoming spring. We are coming off our highest PBC finish in school history in 2022 and we are returning a couple of All-Conference players in Hartsfield and McCollum. We have brought in 15 new additions and look to make a run at our program's first PBC Championship and gain national attention as well!"
Young Harris
Head coach: Stephen Waggener
Returning player to watch: Ethan Underwood, 2B. Underwood is described as a “versatile offensive player” because he produces everywhere game. He led YHC with a .355 batting average, 13 doubles, and 15 stolen bases in 2021.
Pitcher to watch: Nate Lamb, LHP. A 6-foot-5 lefty? Sign me up. Lamb sat 90-93 mph and topped out at 95 mph this fall. His secondaries include an 83-85-mph slider, and a 83-mph change. Lamb will be part of the MLB Draft League this summer.
Newcomers to watch: David Smith is a catcher who transfers in from Georgia Highlands CC after hitting .340 with 19 home runs last season. Jarrett Ford is an outfield transfer from St. Johns River/Florida International. Ford was the No. 165 MLB prospect coming out of high school. Zach Murray, another big MLB prospect out of high school, also transfers from Georgia Highlands. The 6-foot righty sat 90-92 mph and topped out at 94 this fall with what Coach calls a “plus feel for breaking ball and changeup as well.”
North Georgia
Head coach: Tom Cantrell
Returning player to watch: Nik Levensteins, DH/INF. The 2021 All-American broke his foot last season and his season ended in April. The power bat will be a welcomed return.
Pitcher to watch: Pierce Williams, LHP - Williams was great last season and was sitting 89-91 in his last outing in the Coastal Plain League this summer. I watched him pitch a complete game against Catawba last year and he has good stuff and is very efficient.
Newcomers to watch: Andrews Opata is a very athletic freshman outfielder with pop and speed. Edwin Bowman IV is listed at 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds and is described as physical and strong. Wes Lott is a South Georgia State College transfer. The RHP sits in the upper 80's with three pitches he commands for strikes. Nate Alexander is a DI Gardner Webb transfer. The RHP has a four-pitch mix with he lands for strikes and sits upper 80s.
Under-the-radar player to watch: Jace Bowen, a freshman infielder.
What Coach Cantrell said: "We are athletic all over the field this year. This is going to be a year where we can plug and play without skipping a beat. We have depth that if one man goes down, the next can step right in. I am excited about the group of young men we have on this 2023 team.”
Flagler
Head coach: David Barnett
Returning player to watch: Jaiden Warde. The junior infielder led the Saints with a .331 average last season.
Pitcher to watch: Gage Voorhees, RHP. The senior can throw at different arm angles with multiple breaking pitches including what’s described as a plus changeup that sits 85-88 but can run it up to 90 when needed. As coach says, he “just knows how to pitch.”
Newcomer to watch: Taylor Clapp. The transfer from Chipola CC can play all infield positions providing depth.
Under-the-radar player to watch: Tim Kudlinski who transferred from Lake Sumter CC.
What Coach Barnett said: “The lineup is good from top to bottom with lot of speed and some power. Can really play defense in the infield and solid in the outfield. Pitching staff has a mix of older and younger arms that will fit nicely in their roles come spring.”