Nov. 8, 2012

 

CBI Blog: Brown heading to Vandy as pitching coach

By Sean Ryan

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

@collbaseball Sean@collegebaseballinsider.com

 

Several sources confirmed to CBI Thursday that St. John’s pitching coach Scott Brown is taking over as pitching coach at Vanderbilt. He will replace Derek Johnson, who left college baseball to become the minor league pitching coordinator for the Chicago Cubs. Brown has spent nine seasons with the Red Storm, including helping St. John’s reach the NCAA tournament for the past three seasons.

 

CBI Blog: Charleston/CAA? (10/19/12)

By Sean Ryan

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founder

@collbaseball Sean@collegebaseballinsider.com

 

Reports out of South Carolina indicate College of Charleston is expected to announce a move from the Southern Conference to the Colonial Athletic Association. Earlier in the week, Davidson announced it will remain in the SoCon.

 

What does it mean for the Cougars in baseball?

 

For starters, Charleston would be dropping a level or two. Last year, the SoCon ranked seventh in RPI, compared to the CAA at No. 18, according to BoydsWorld.com. Initially, the Cougars should thrive after a move to the CAA. Former coach John Pawlowski (now at Auburn) built the Charleston program into one of the best mid-major programs in the country, and Cougars alum Monte Lee has averaged 39 wins and made two NCAA trips in his four years.

 

In short, Charleston has a chance to be like Coastal Carolina: the class of a one-bid league.

 

The trick, however, will be down the road a few years. The Cougars would be leaving a multiple-bid league to the NCAA tourney for what has been a one-bid league. And unlike Coastal Carolina, the CAA’s footprint extends into the Northeast, which could be a tougher sell for some recruits. Rather than playing predominantly in the Southeast, Charleston would be looking at traveling north for each of its conference road trips (Georgia State has announced it is leaving the CAA).

 

If the move to the CAA takes place, expect Charleston to continue to play an aggressive nonconference schedule, which not only would give the Cougars the chance to excel in the conference, but also put itself in position for at-large bids.