Samford Baseball: Can They Repeat?
Well here we are again. The semester is over and Samford is just a few wins away from another NCAA Tournament berth. Last year, it took a heroic effort to win three games in one day. What does this year’s tournament hold for the Bulldogs? The forecast does call for some rain in Greenville this weekend so let’s hope the weather gods look kindly upon Samford in 2024.
What a year for third year head coach Tony David who looks to take Samford to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances which is something his predecessor, Casey Dunn, never did. Dunn also took two of David’s top three assistants from a season ago to UAB which highlights the work David and this year’s staff did in getting to this point.
Even though UNCG edged Samford for the regular season title in 2024, Samford is still the two seed. They hold the double bye which is why Samford will open the tournament on Friday as they await the Mercer/ETSU winner.
Samford’s seeding is different in 2024, however, there are some parallels to the 2023 team.
2024 Samford is led by a powerful lineup and an ace in the SoCon Pitcher of the Year Michael Ross. Ross tied the Samford school record for wins with 12 and finished with a 2.82 ERA. He will definitely get the ball in game one on Friday.
This was Samford’s second consecutive Pitcher of the Year after P Jacob Cravey took home the award last season. Samford’s lineup is powered by three guys who have an OPS over 1.000 in 2B John Anderson, SS Garrett Staton, and 3B Garrett Howe.
Samford is extremely talented as evident by leading the SoCon in all-conference first team representatives with four (Michael Ross, Carson Lore, John Anderson, Garrett Howe).
The 2023 lineup finished second in the SoCon in HRs and this year the Bulldogs finished tied for first with 89 HRs.
So how does Samford repeat and what might stop them from doing so? Let’s dive into it.
As mentioned prior, Michael Ross will get the start in game one. The first game for Samford is the most important for obvious reasons. But the main reason should Samford lose at 11:30am CT on ESPN+, they would have to turn right around and play again Friday night. This is why Ross will and should start the opener.
In five SoCon starts, Ross never pitched less than 5.2 IP. This does include a complete game in the win at The Citadel. Jacob Cravey threw 7.1 IP in the tournament opener in 2023 with 109 pitches. Should Ross have his usual success look for more of the same.
Then look for All-SoCon first teamer Carson Lore to finish out the rest of the game. Lore tied for second in the Southern Conference in saves with seven and used his wicked slider to strike out 40.
Provided Samford wins game one with the Ross/Lore combination, what comes next? That is the biggest question mark heading into this tournament. Who else steps up and contributes as a starter and out of the bullpen? In 20 or more innings pitched, Samford has no one else outside of the Ross/Lore combination with an ERA under 5.00.
Look for Noah Berry to start game two who has been starting on Saturdays in place of a previously injured Brooks Rice. Rice made his first start in over a month in the regular season finale and did not make it out of the second inning.
Should UNCG win their opener, Berry will get his second start against the Spartans in as many weeks. Berry went 5 innings only allowing 2 earned runs on 83 pitches.
Back to the bullpen, who steps up? Is it RHP Alex Flood with the next lowest ERA at 4.33 or LHP Evan Steckmesser who has shown flashes?
A sleeper could be LHP John Whitney who has only thrown 10 innings but impressed in his outing against Wofford. RHP Miller Riggins did well throwing 4.1 innings and only allowing 2 ER in relief against Wofford.
In 2023, it was RHP Jacob Newman and RHP Heath Clevinger who stepped up massively in the 3 games in one day championship Saturday. Who will be that in 2024? That is one big question if Samford wants to repeat.
One thing that has less questions surrounding it is the Samford offense. This Samford lineup is as deep as the 2023 team. Time and time again this season, this offense has stepped up in big moments. Guys like Anderson, Staton, and Howe anchor this lineup but the other pieces fit together extremely well.
Just look to the starting outfield of LF Josh Rodriguez, CF Aaron Walton, and RF Andrew Bennett. All have a batting average above .281 while also combining for 22 HRs. Bennett might be the most improved player on the team as he has brought his K-rate down and is hitting for average. He has an OPS of .980.
Everyone in this lineup can shine and lead this team. Who outside of the aforementioned group steps up? C/DH Lucas Steele has 10 HRs but only hit .225 on the year. While his average may not reflect it, Steele can get hot at the plate and his power makes this lineup even more dangerous.
Samford finished second in the SoCon in runs scored, total bases, and slugging percentage. This lineup is dangerous enough that anyone can carry them.
This offense travels and has the potential to lead Samford to another NCAA Tournament even with the questions in the bullpen and rotation. The road to a SoCon title starts at 11:30am CT on Friday. Samford is one of the best teams in this conference, will they show it once again? We cannot wait to find out.
