Lee Fall Report: Brewing a Resurgence in the Gulf South

The 2025 season for Lee University was a tale of transition and the grueling reality of life in the Gulf South Conference. Coming off a historic 2024 campaign where the Flames posted a program-best Division II record of 39-18 and secured a Gulf South Conference regular-season title, the 2025 squad finished with a 24-26 overall mark and a 16-17 record in conference play. While the sub-.500 finish was a departure from their recent standard, the Lee University Flames still managed to secure a 7th-place finish and a Gulf South Conference Tournament appearance, proving that even in a "down" year, the program remains a postseason fixture.

Head Coach Mark Brew, now entering his 20th season at the helm with a staggering 734-333-2 career record, has been the architect of this program since its jump to Division II in 2014. As the Flames look toward 2026, the focus at Larry Carpenter Stadium at Olympic Field is on reclaiming the dominance that saw them win at least 33 games in every season they reached the NCAA Regionals.

The Offense

The offensive identity of Lee for the upcoming season will be built around a core of elite contact hitters and high-end speed. Leading the charge is middle infielder Luke Collier, who emerged as one of the most dangerous bats in the region last year. In 199 ABs hit .382 with 14 doubles/HR and 29 RBI, a performance that saw him rank 4th in the Gulf South Conference in batting average. Luke Collier also added eight triples to his resume, showcasing a gap-to-gap power that keeps outfielders on their toes.

Joining him in the heart of the order is center fielder JJ Williams, a Second Team All-GSC selection who provides a rare combination of power and wheels. In 211 ABs hit .327 with 16 doubles/9 HR and 45 RBI. JJ Williams was a constant threat on the paths, ranking 5th in the conference with 18 stolen bases. Behind the plate, the Flames return the steady hand of Isaiah French, another Second Team All-GSC honoree. In 177 ABs hit .294 with 9 doubles/1 HR and 35 RBI.

The lineup will be bolstered by a wave of newcomers, most notably Aiden McClary, a transfer from Cleveland State Community College who led the Tennessee Junior College league in stolen bases. Aiden McClary brings an aggressive profile to the grass, having slashed .291 with 3 HR and 35 RBI while swiping 38 bags last spring. He is joined by fellow Cleveland State Community College transfer Nate Dunfee, who posted 2 HR and 25 RBI last season, and Cody Turner, a versatile two-way talent from University of Kentucky who looks to make an immediate impact in the outfield.

The Pitching Staff

On the mound, Lee is tasked with replacing significant volume but return several arms with high-velocity ceilings. Evan Bloomer is a name that has generated significant buzz this fall, reportedly touching 94 mph. Last season, the right-hander made 20 appearances, posting a 0-1 record with a 3.74 ERA in 21.2 IP. His ability to miss bats will be crucial as he moves into a potentially larger role. Dylan Van Meeteren also returns to the staff after serving as a weekend starter for much of 2025. In his junior campaign, he logged a 4-4 record with a 7.82 ERA in 56.1 IP. While the ERA was higher than desired, his experience in high-leverage conference starts is invaluable, and his previous history of touching 95 mph suggests the "stuff" is there to front a rotation. Zachary Lawson adds depth to the relief corps, coming off a season where he posted a 0-0 record with a 5.25 ERA in 12.0 IP.

To bridge the gap left by departures, Coach Mark Brew hit the portal hard for experienced arms. Gage Shaver, a left-handed transfer from Southern Wesleyan, joins the mix after throwing 56 innings with 43 strikeouts last year. The Flames also added Bryce Hawkins from Mercer University, who brings Division I experience to the staff after posting a 1-0 record with a 5.71 ERA in 17.1 IP. Looking at the younger ranks, freshman Mason Bratcher and ETSU transfer Cason Engert are expected to compete for innings early.

Notable Departures

The roster transition does come with the sting of losing several program pillars. The most notable departure is Cooper Casteel, a Second Team All-GSC left-hander who was the definitive ace of the 2025 staff. Cooper Casteel finished his final season with a 6-5 record with a 3.24 ERA in 77.2 IP, providing Lee with a quality start nearly every time he touched the rubber. The bullpen also loses Ty Cobb, while the lineup will miss the veteran presence of Tucker Platt, who in 155 ABs hit .316 with 11 doubles/1 HR and 21 RBI, and Malachi Cloud, who transferred to Catawba College after recording a .254 average with 167 plate appearances. These departures represent a loss of roughly 71% of the team's innings pitched and nearly 60% of their offensive production, placing a heavy premium on the rapid development of the newcomers.

Schedule & Outlook

Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule, the Flames will open their campaign at home on January 30th with a three-game set against Emmanuel University (Ga.). This matchup serves as a chance for redemption, as the Lee dropped two of three to Emmanuel University (Ga.) to open the 2025 season. The early home stand continues with Lincoln Memorial University on February 3rd and a series against Tiffin University (Ohio) starting February 7th.

The conference slate begins with a massive home test against Delta State University on February 13th. Delta State University is coming off a season where they swept the Lee in Cleveland, and they currently hold a Gulf South Conference Tournament appearance on their resume. Another pivotal matchup occurs on February 20th when the Flames travel to face Alabama Huntsville. Last year, Lee dominated the Alabama Huntsville series, outscoring them 33-8 over three games. As the calendar turns to April, Lee will host Valdosta State University starting April 10th. Valdosta State University remains one of the heavyweights in the region, and this late-season series will likely have significant implications for the Gulf South Conference standings.

For Mark Brew and the Flames, the path back to the top of the South Region is steep, but with a revamped pitching staff and the return of All-Conference bats like Luke Collier and JJ Williams, the pieces are in place for another postseason run. 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