Wingate, N.C.----The 2025 Wingate University baseball season gets underway this weekend, with the Bulldogs heading to Florida for three games, starting Friday, Jan. 31 at Barry. Wingate went 34-25 last season, with an 18-12 mark in league play. The 'Dogs captured the SAC Tournament title, earning a bid to the NCAA Regionals where they eliminated second-ranked North Greenville.

The Bulldogs have had plenty of success over the past few years, starting in 2021 when Wingate captured the SAC Tournament title, NCAA Southeast Region championship, then won the first national title in the history of Wingate or SAC baseball. The 'Dogs followed that up by going 48-10 in 2022, with a 21-2 record in league play to capture the regular season title and earn regional hosting duties for the first time in program history. Last season saw the Bulldogs capture their eight SAC Tournament title in program history and fourth since 2011.

"It has been a good preseason," head coach Jeff Gregory says. "The team has collectively worked well in preparation for the season and that has carried over from this past fall. We have a lot of returners and a lot of new faces, with some guys stepping up into bigger roles, the group has done a good job gelling together. Our goals are the same as always, and our squad has been diligent at building a cohesive group and building into what they need to do to be successful."  

PITCHERS

The weekend rotation will be anchored by a pair of preseason All-SAC honorees in Kelan Hoover and Carson Morton, along with Collin McDougall. Hoover was a second team All-SAC selection last year, piling up a team-high 79 innings of work in his 15 starts, going 7-2 with a 4.56 ERA and 56 strikeouts. Morton was 5-3 on the year with a 4.10 ERA in 59 innings or work, striking out 53. McDougall made 12 starts, striking out 31 in 38 innings of work. Transfer Thomas Goldberg will also be a key part of the rotation this season.

"Having three reliable starters back in Kelan, Carson and Collin is great for us," Gregory says. "We've got continuity there that we feel great about each one of their progressions from last year to this year. All three had good falls and have continued that into the spring as we approach the season. Those three along with Thomas give us a solid foundation we can rely on."

The bullpen will be anchored by returners Cal Riehl, Chad Harvey and Charlie Carpetner, along with Marshall Raper and Brian Boone. Harvey made 20 appearances last year, picking up a win and two saves with a 4.26 ERA, striking out 29 in 31 innings of work. Riehl made nine appearances including three starts, going 2-0 with 22 strikeouts in 18 innings of work. Carpenter piled up 16 strikeouts in 12 innings of work during his 13 appearances last season.

"With Cal, Chad and Charlie coming back, they did the bulk of the work last year and we know we can rely on them again this year," Gregory says. "There are also others that have made big strides, we are going to rely on them as well."

INFIELD

The infield will be anchored by 2024 All-American Cam Harris. The first team All-SAC and All-Region second baseman also won the SAC Elite 23 Award. Harris hit .395 last year with 15 doubles, two triples and five homers, driving in 35 runs while scoring 68 times. He compiled a .544 slugging percentage and .465 on-base percentage, adding eight stolen bases. Jake Courville appeared in 31 games in his freshman season, making 28 starts while hitting .304 with a homer, four doubles, 11 RBI and 17 runs scored. The 'Dogs will also have a mixture of freshmen and transfers looking to make an impact in the infield.

"Cam and Jake were guys that we counted on last year and we will look to do the same this year," Gregory says." Gregory says. "We've got several new guys that can make an impact in the infield or the outfield, including Eli Weisner, Jordan Dixon, Jalen Evans and Landon Meyer, along with returners Owen Crevelt and Gavin Groppuso. We like the athleticisms and the options we have on the infield, we like that we can rely on any of them."

OUTFIELD

All-SAC selection Breon Ishmael is a key returner in the outfield for the Bulldogs. He hit .346 in his first season with the Bulldogs in 2024 with 17 doubles, nine homers and 38 RBI, scoring 40 times while stealing 14 bases. Alex Naylor started 37 games last season, collecting 31 hits with six doubles, a triple and a homer.

"Breon and Alex guys that played a significant amount of time for us last year, and we look for more of that this year.," Gregory says. "Like the outfield, we have a good amount of solid options with returners and new guys that can fill roles throughout the outfield. Sean Sullivan is a transfer that we're expecting to make an immediate impact, while Jalen Evans could also see time in the outfield for us."

CATCHERS

The Bulldogs have a trio of options behind the dish this year, led by transfers Wyatt Hoffman and Joe Scheffler, along with redshirt sophomore Bradley Hart.

"It's been a good battle between those guys throughout the fall and into the preseason," Gregory says. "Three solid options that all bring different things to the table defensively and offensively."

SCHEDULE 

After opening the season in Florida, the Bulldogs open the home slate Saturday, Feb. 8 with a doubleheader against Millersville. The 'Dogs open league play at home the following weekend, with UVA Wise coming to town Wednesday, Feb. 14 for a three-game series.