Season Preview: 2022 Baseball

MILLIGAN, Tenn. (January 26, 2022) – The Milligan University baseball team enters the 2022 season under third-year head coach Skyler Barnett looking to continue its ascent in the competitive Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). The Buffs begin the 2022 campaign with a four-game series at USC Beaufort on Jan. 28-29.

Visual Preview | Preseason Interview: Skyler Barnett

2021 Season Review: The Milligan baseball team posted its winningest season since 2010 as the Buffs recorded a 27-23 overall record last spring. In Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings, Milligan finished fourth out of 12 teams, its highest conference finish since 2012.

Milligan earned four wins over ranked opponents in 2021, including a 2-1 extra-inning victory over No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan. The Buffs also knocked off No. 15 Bryan and won two-of-three at No. 17 Reinhardt near the end of the 2021 season.

As a team, Milligan ranked third in the AAC in earned run average (5.26) and slugging percentage. The Buffs were fourth in the AAC in batting (.298), doubles (92), extra base hits (143) and batting average against (.267) and ranked fifth in on-base percentage.

Brandon Marello was named All-AAC Second Team as both a pitcher and second baseman and Anthony Guzman earned an All-AAC Second Team nod as an outfielder.

In the AAC Tournament, Milligan was eliminated after losses to CIU and Truett McConnell.

"Last season came with many ups, downs, and learning opportunities as it was myself and staffs first full season at the helm with previous 2020 season being cut short," said Barnett. "Finishing the way we did was something were not proud of, however we feel like there is a positive outlook on where the program is heading. We feel like from year to year were bringing a more competitive brand of baseball and looking forward to seeing what this spring brings."

Team Captains: Brandon Marello, Anthony Guzman and Justin Greene

Key Returners: Several key contributors over the past two seasons in which Milligan has posted a 41-31 record are back for 2022.

Marello returns as one of the top two-way players in the AAC. An All-AAC performer in the infield and on the mound, he ranked third in the AAC and 10th nationally with a 2.04 ERA. In 66.1 innings last spring, he allowed just 15 earned runs and racked up 62 strikeouts. At the plate, Marello hit .324 with three home runs and 21 runs batted in. He tied for the team lead with 39 runs and 10 stolen bases, and used 20 walks to post a .429 on-base percentage. In the Buffs' win over No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan, Marello allowed one run over seven innings, rapped three hits and scored the game-winning run in extra innings.

"Brandon is everything you want in a player and captain," said Barnett. "He brings so much value to our team with what he can do in the field, on the mound, and at the plate. Brandon is a true competitor and were excited for another great spring from him."

Guzman comes back to the Buffs' lineup and outfield after an all-conference season in which he led Milligan in batting (.351) and home runs (7). The "COVID junior" scored 39 runs and drove in 39 more. The Las Vegas native was named the team's offensive MVP and finished last season fifth in the AAC in hits (67) and eighth in batting average. He enjoyed hitting streaks of 16 and 14 games last spring.

"Anthony is one of our hardest workers and has earned the title of captain from his teammates," said Barnett. "All his work he puts into it is a direct reflection of why he is one of our most dynamic offensive players. He earns all the success that has came and will continue to come his way."

Chancery Hall enjoyed a breakout season in 2021. A three-year contributor in the outfield and out of the bullpen, Hall led Milligan with 42 RBI, five triples and 22 extra base hits last spring. He logged a .268 batting average and swatted six home runs. Milligan went 10-0 in games in which Hall hit a triple or homered in 2021. In nine appearances out of the bullpen, Hall posted seven scoreless outings, posted 12 strikeouts and collected two wins and two saves.

"Chance is one of our top athletes with what he is able to do at the plate and on the mound," said Barnett. "He is a power arm and a power bat that has matured with experience in his time here. We're looking forward to another impactful season from Chance Hall this spring."

Sophomore Braden Spano appeared in 49 of 50 games and racked up 171 at bats in the middle of Milligan's lineup in his debut season for the Buffs. Spano hit .287 with four home runs and 34 RBI. He walked 24 times, had 12 doubles and scored 25 runs.

Senior outfielder Justin Greene also made a splash in his first season for the Buffs in 2021 after transferring in from Louisiana Lafayette. Greene hit .339, homered four times and knocked in 38 runs. A threat on the basepaths, he tied for the team lead with 10 stolen bases and scored 36 runs. In AAC play, his batting average rose to .353 which ranked seventh in the conference in league play. He closed last season on a 17-game hitting streak.

Senior Brock Browning returns after finishing top-three on the roster in innings pitched and strikeouts in each of the last two seasons. In the abbreviated 2020 season, Browning owned a 4-1 record with a team-high 34.0 innings pitched with 23 strikeouts. Last spring, he was third on the roster with 48.2 innings pitched and second on the team with 49 strikeouts.

Senior infielders Robert Salcedo and Casey Haire combined with Marello to man the Buffs' middle infield spots in 2021. Salcedo hit .311 in 103 at-bats and Haire hit .274 with two home runs and 30 RBI. Haire walked 24 times, scored 24 runs and recorded eight doubles.

Senior Augustus Fraley appeared in 84 games and recorded a .321 batting average and .442 on-base percentage as a designated hitter, first baseman and pinch hitter last spring. He homeered three times, drove in 16 runs and walked 19 times. Senior Eric Rigsby closed the 2022 season as a regular at third base.

Senior right-hander Jack Bembry returns after making five starts and recording a 3.80 ERA in 23.2 innings in 2021. The Buffs' bullpen welcomes back sophomore left-hander Garrett Bowman (21.0 IP, 13 ER, 25 K), junior lefty Graham Hooker (16.2 IP, 11 ER, 13 K), senior Colin Wagner (15.1 IP, 6 ER, 15 K), sophomore Andrei Beal (11.0 IP, 16 ER, 12 K) and sophomore southpaw TJ Kuhn (10.1 IP, 11 ER, 16 K).

Newcomers: Milligan baseball welcomes over 20 newcomers, freshman and transfers, to the mix for 2021.

"Recruiting is the lifeblood of our success," said Barnett. "Coach Ryan Mossman has done an incredible job as our recruiting coordinator in compiling some impact players that have carved out roles for themselves to be immediate impacts."

Two key transfers return to the area and are set to redshirt for the 2022 season. Sophomore outfielder and left-handed pitcher Cade Elliott starred at Daniel Boone and joins the Buffs from the University of Tennessee. Junior catcher Logan Hullette had a standout career at Dobyns-Bennett high school and went on to play at Walters State and Radford University before enrolling at Milligan last fall.

Left-handed pitcher Jacob Poe spent the last two seasons at Baton Rouge Community College where he was second on the roster with 59.1 innings pitched and 52 strikeouts in a competitive conference.

Right-handed pitcher and infielder Gaven Jones from Daniel Boone high school is one of several freshmen who could make an impact in 2022.

Looking at the Schedule: Milligan opens its season with four games at USC Beaufort on Jan. 28-29. The Buffs host the three-day Clash of Conferences Tournament at the TVA Credit Union Ballpark Feb. 4-6.

The AAC will play a 30-game league schedule with three game series against 10 other AAC schools. The Buffs will not play St. Andrews or Bluefield in league play in 2022, however Milligan will square off with Bluefield in a pair of mid-week nonconference games. The three games conference series will feature two nine-inning contests and one seven inning game.

AAC play begins Feb. 18 when the Buffs welcome CIU for a three-game series.

The Buffs are set to take on Bryan Feb. 25-26, travel to Tennessee Wesleyan March 4-5 and close the regular season at home against Reinhardt April 28-29. The Bulldogs, Lions and Eagles all earned spots in the 2021 NAIA Baseball National Championship Opening Rounds last spring.

The AAC Tournament is scheduled for May 3-7 at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport. The top 10 teams in the AAC standings will qualify for a double elimination conference tournament.

Last Word: "Playing in one of the top conferences in the NAIA is a blessing and a challenge," said Barnett. "We're looking forward to improving on our progress from last season in hopes of finishing stronger. Our team goal is to compete for an AAC championship this spring. We have a great group of young men and incredible assistant coaches and staff. I would encourage all alumni and Buff Baseball fans to come out and watch this team compete this spring."