2024 College Top 25 Preview: No. 19 Coastal Carolina
Image credit: (Photo courtesy of Coastal Carolina Athletics)
Last season: 42-21 (23-7), lost in Conway Regional
Final ranking: No. 20
Coach (record at school): Gary Gilmore (1,040-551-3, 27 seasons)
The good news: Coastal last year posted a 40-win season, won the Sun Belt and hosted regionals all for the first time since 2018. The Chanticleers’ offense, which ranked fourth nationally in scoring (9.2 runs per game), was the driving force of that success and returns seven regulars. That includes the catching tandem of Derek Bender, a potential top-two rounds draft pick this year, and Caden Bodine, a 2023 Freshman All-American. Also returning are first baseman Zack Beach and outfielder Graham Brown, who are each in their fifth season of college baseball. Coastal’s two losses in the lineup are not small ones—second baseman Payton Eeles was the team’s leading hitter and center fielder Nick Lucky was one of their best weapons. But Coastal added infielder Sam Antonacci, who last year was named Division II junior college player of the year and will only further bolster the lineup.
The bad news: As good as Coastal’s offense was last season, its pitching staff struggled. Its 6.25 team ERA ranked 176th nationally and the combination of injuries to its top two starters and closer Teddy Sharkey getting drafted leave the Chanticleers rebuilding on the mound. They do have talent, like righthander Riley Eikhoff, who pitched well as a swing-man, and righthander Darin Horn, whose fastball-slider combination is premium. Coastal also brought in newcomers like Trevor Hinkle (Cal State Fullerton), Alexander Meckley (junior college) and Josh O’Neill (Stony Brook), who figure to contribute right away. But with so few established pitchers returning, it’s difficult to know what exactly the staff will look like. The offense can carry the load for Coastal early on, but eventually it will need some pitchers to step up.
Player to know: Derek Bender, C. Bender broke out last season, as he hit .341/.399/.635 with a team-high 19 home runs. He has a strong righthanded swing and can drive the ball to all fields. He’ll this spring again split time between catcher and DH with Bodine while anchoring the lineup.
Path to Omaha: Gilmore last year announced the 2024 season would be his last as the coach of his alma mater. To send their longtime leader out with a bang, the Chanticleers will have to take a step forward on the mound. They don’t need to be dramatically better because this lineup is plenty good enough to carry a significant load. But Coastal can’t again rank in the bottom half nationally in ERA if it is to end the season in Omaha. Finding a few pitchers it can rely on will be critical early in the season.
| Pos. | Name | Year | AVG | OBP | SLG | AB | HR | RBI | |
| C | Caden Bodine | So. | .367 | .456 | .609 | 215 | 11 | 47 | |
| 1B | Zack Beach | R-Sr. | .321 | .458 | .613 | 168 | 13 | 56 | |
| 2B | Blake Barthol | So. | .308 | .424 | .572 | 159 | 7 | 32 | |
| 3B | Sam Antonacci | Jr. | Transfer—Heartland (Ill.) JC | ||||||
| SS | Ty Dooley | Jr. | .281 | .350 | .416 | 178 | 6 | 37 | |
| OF | Chad Born | R-Jr. | .297 | .406 | .459 | 172 | 6 | 36 | |
| OF | Graham Brown | R-Sr. | .278 | .377 | .573 | 255 | 17 | 71 | |
| OF | Corey Zientek | Sr. | Transfer—Scranton (Pa.) | ||||||
| DH | Derek Bender | Jr. | .341 | .399 | .635 | 252 | 19 | 83 | |
| Pos. | Name | Class | W | L | ERA | IP | SO | SV | |
| SP | Riley Eikhoff | R-Jr. | 3 | 1 | 4.43 | 43 | 39 | 0 | |
| SP | Alexander Meckley | Jr. | Transfer—West Virginia Potomac State JC | ||||||
| SP | Trevor Hinkle | R-Sr. | Transfer—Cal State Fullerton | ||||||
| RP | Darin Horn | Jr. | 3 | 2 | 5.60 | 64 | 85 | 1 | |
| RP | Ryan Lynch | Jr. | Transfer—Bellevue (Wash.) JC | ||||||
| RP | Henry Weycker | R-Sr. | Transfer—Virginia Tech |
