Catawba Fall Report: Reloading the Mound After Back-to-Back 46-Win Seasons

2025 record: 46-14, 25-5 SAC

Staff: HC Jim Gantt, AC/RC Jeremy Simpson, PC Cole Hales, AC Joel Burgess, AC Curtis Owen, AC Brett Mulkey, AC Zac Almond

Jim Gantt enters his 30th season at the helm for Catawba, as his Indians have been a model of consistency in the Southeast Region. After a disappointing 27-24 season in 2023 - where Catawba failed to win 30 games for the first time since the 1999 season - Gantt’s clubs reeled off back-to-back 46-win seasons and a conference regular season and tournament championship, highlighted by a World Series appearance in 2024 and a trip to the Super Regional round in 2025, where the Indians took Game 1 of the series against Lenoir-Rhyne, but managed just four runs combined in Games 2 and 3 to watch the Bears punch its ticket to the World Series.

The Offense

Catawba brings back 61.5% of its offensive production, led by All-Conference centerfielder Sam Hunter. Hunter hit .317 with 19 extra-base hits a season ago, while becoming the program’s single-season stolen base king, swiping 34-of-37. The Indians will once again be strong up the middle, as Hunter is joined by seniors Nathan Chrismon (SS) and Ty Hubbard (2B). Chrismon was named both All-Conference and All-Defense by the SAC after hitting .318 with 18 extra-base hits and 41 RBI, while fielding .980 to also earn the region’s Gold Glove Award at shortstop. Hubbard hit just .246 in 195 at bats, but more than made up for it with his .987 fielding percentage earning SAC All-Defense and joining Chrismon on the region’s Gold Glove team. The middle infield duo was a big reason Catawba led the country with a .984 fielding percentage, making just 33 errors in 60 games. Matthew Connolly returns behind the dish for the Indians and is coming off a 2025 season that saw him hit .266 with 18 extra-base hits, while throwing out 17 would-be base stealers to go along with a .993 fielding percentage. 3B/OF Hunter Atkins also returns after posting a .297 average and 16 extra-base hits in 2025, as does DH Sean Shelly after hitting .327 in 104 ABs with five doubles and five homers. 

Lee transfer Malachi Cloud is an intriguing addition for the Indians. The redshirt junior was a 2023 All-South Region selection as a freshman after hitting .400 with nine doubles and ten homers, but missed the 2024 season and struggled a bit in 2025, finishing with a .254 average and four home runs. If Catawba can get him back to his 2023 form, Cloud should be an impact player for the club. Another transfer addition is 1B Brandon Crabtree, a JUCO All-Region 10 selection who comes over from Gaston College after hitting .397 with 18 doubles, seven jacks, and 25 walks to just 11 Ks. 

Gantt also named freshman outfielder Ian Rone a player to watch. Rone was Kentucky’s 19th-best outfielder according to Perfect Game and is a plus runner.

The Pitching Staff

Catawba was hit much harder on the other side of the ball, as they will return just 37% of its pitching production. Gone are a combined 37 starts, including All-Region selection Payne Stolsworth, who led the squad last season with 12 wins and a 3.68 ERA across 107.2 innings. Three-year rotation piece Austin Fine departs after racking up 26 career wins for the Indians. Also gone is bullpen ace Hayden Simmerson, who logged 17 saves and turned an All-American year into a transfer up to Clemson.

Not all is lost, however, as LHP Casey Gouge returns after making 16 starts and logging 82.2 innings and a 3.81 ERA last season. RHP Seth Sharpe also returns after making 29 appearances out of the pen and going 5-1 with a 3.54 ERA in 40.2 innings. Another key returner is RHP Braeden Major, who made seven starts across 21 appearances in 2025 and compiled a 3.79 ERA in 40.1 innings. RHP Joe Burleyson also is back after turning 17 relief appearances into a 3.77 ERA in 14.1 innings. The wild card may just be 6’5” RHP Sam Alessi, who threw just three innings last year, but a guy Gantt says is 93-95 to go along with a sweeper, change up, and cutter.

Aside from the returners, Coach Gantt also turned to the transfer portal to help alleviate the mound departures, bringing in LHP Kemper Nix and RHP Colt Wilkins from Limestone, both of whom listed as impact transfers. Nix posted a 5-5 record last year, logging a 3.15 ERA and 69 punchouts across 71.1 innings, while Wilkins was 6-4 with a 3.26 ERA in 80 innings. Another transfer to keep an eye on is RHP Zach Gaydos, who comes over from UNC Asheville. 

From the high school ranks, Gantt is excited about RHP Parker Lakey (Hickory Ridge HS), who was rated a Top 500 player in the 2025 class by Perfect Game, and LHP Owen Robinson, who was Perfect Game’s third-ranked southpaw in North Carolina after striking out 69 in 56.2 innings as a senior at Ragsdale HS. 

Another key addition Gantt is fired up about is Cole Hales coming aboard as pitching coach. A 2025 graduate of Catawba, Hales logged 84.1 innings in his time with the Indians, and was also named an All-American third baseman last season. "We are extremely excited that Cole will stay with our program as our new pitching coach," Gantt said. "Cole being a two-way player through his baseball career will enable him to coach our pitching staff from a hitter's and pitcher's perspective. Cole will also be able to build on Greg Brown's foundation, since he pitched for Greg at Catawba. Cole is a Catawba guy through and through. His competitiveness, intellect and winning desire is going to be a great addition to our program."

2026 Schedule & Outlook

Catawba will be tested right out of the gate, as they head to Florida for games against Palm Beach Atlantic, Nova Southeastern, Lynn, and Barry (Jan. 30-Feb.2). Other key non-conference games include home-and-homes against 2025 Conference Carolinas Tournament champs Belmont Abbey (Feb. 17 & Apr. 7), Mount Olive (Feb. 24 & Apr. 14), Francis Marion (Mar. 10 & Mar. 24), and UNC Pembroke (Mar. 17 & Apr. 21).

Coaches Corner with head coach Jim Gantt: Gantt mentioned this edition of the Indians will have a dynamic offense, with good team speed and defense, while also recognizing his squad has some big holes to fill on the mound. If you value this in-depth, non-paywalled coverage of D2 Baseball, please consider supporting our independent reporting efforts. Your contribution helps us continue providing free access to all our articles without relying on restrictive paywalls. To support our work, please visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/diviibaseball