Savannah State Fall Report: Burgos and the Boys are Back

Savannah State has lived a narrative of "so close, yet so far" for three consecutive seasons. The Tigers have played in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) baseball championship game for the past three years, and each time they have walked away as the runner-up. Coming off a 32-14 campaign in 2025—their fourth straight season with at least 30 victories—the expectations remain sky-high at Tiger Field.

Head Coach Tino Burgos, now entering his second season at the helm, looks to finally break through that ceiling. While the program lost several key contributors from last year's squad, Burgos utilized the transfer portal to inject experienced talent into a roster already brimming with veterans and promising freshmen. With a projected offensive production return of 46.1% and a staggering 74.8% of innings pitched returning, the Tigers appear primed to turn their runner-up streak into a championship celebration.

The Offense

The Tigers' lineup is anchored Infielder Johan Sandoval, who is coming off a season where he hit .340 with 7 home runs and 37 RBI in 147 at-bats. The offense also welcomes back Julian Grier, who hit .323 with 12 doubles and 27 RBI, and Chandler Hicks, a speed threat who stole 21 bases while hitting .292. Kijani Clarington, an All-Tournament selection, returns after hitting .297 with 17 RBI in limited action.

Perhaps the most intriguing storyline for the offense is the return of two potent bats who missed the entire 2025 season: D'Sean Prinkleton and Hakem Smith. In 2024, Prinkleton was a force, hitting .392 with 14 doubles, 5 home runs, and 33 stolen bases, earning All-SIAC honors. Smith adds even more speed and contact, having batted .333 with 7 triples and 38 RBI in his last active campaign.

To supplement this returning core, Burgos brought in transfers Gabe Breckenridge (Coppin State), Kidane Stephens (Florida Memorial), and Noah Rodriguez (Fullerton) to make immediate impacts. Freshman AJ Finkley, who hit .594 as a high school senior, is also expected to compete for at-bats early.

The Pitching Staff

While the offense is loaded, the pitching staff might be the team's strongest asset, returning nearly 75% of its innings from 2025. The undisputed ace is Brayden Thomas, the reigning SIAC Starting Pitcher of the Year. Thomas was a workhorse, compiling a 6-2 record with a sparkling 2.98 ERA over 90.2 innings. He struck out 76 batters and tossed four complete games, anchoring the rotation every weekend.

Supporting Thomas is a deep group of experienced arms. Adonis Perez returns after posting a 3.38 ERA and a 4-1 record in 34.2 innings of relief work. Left-hander Austin McCormack also provides stability; despite a 3.89 ERA in the stat sheet, he managed a 5-2 record and struck out 34 batters in 41.2 innings. Gregorio Gonzalez brings high-strikeout potential to the mound, having fanned 59 batters in 56 innings, though he will look to lower his 6.75 ERA.

Newcomers are expected to bolster the staff as well. Freshman Yan Cartaya arrives with a reputation for dominance, having posted a 1.58 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 17.2 innings during his senior year of high school. Another two-way talent, Bynton Edge—who also plays wide receiver for the football team—brings a 1.88 high school ERA and 56 strikeouts in 52 innings to the mound.

Schedule & Outlook

The Savannah State 2026 campaign begins on January 31 with a road trip to Oakland Park, Florida, to face the University of Fort Lauderdale. The Tigers return to "The Marsh" for their home opener on February 6 against the University of Illinois Springfield, where Coach Burgos will face off against against his former player, Chris Rodriguez, who enters his first season leading the Prairie Stars.

The non-conference slate is highlighted by a matchup with the University of Tampa on February 24, a perennial Division II heavyweight. Conference play heats up quickly with a series against Clark Atlanta starting February 14. The schedule builds toward the postseason, with the SIAC Baseball Championship set for late April. After three consecutive runner-up finishes, the goal for Burgos and his veteran squad is clear: finish the job.

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