The momentum continues to build behind the UNCW Baseball program, with the expectation that we can reach a Regional every season and compete for a Super Regional spot. With 7 Regional appearances and 4 Regional Finals opportunities since 2003, UNCW Baseball has soared under Coach Scalf. If the Seahawks begin the '16 campaign at home, Scalf, with 799 career wins, will look to capture # 800 at Brooks Field to start the season.

With the draft complete, here is how the team is looking:

Departures

OF Eric Jenkins (incoming signee) -- 2nd round draft pick, Rangers
RP Jordan Ramsey (graduated) -- 7th round draft pick, Reds
OF Zach Shields -- 10th round draft pick, Reds
SP Evan Phillips -- 17th round draft pick, Braves
SP Nick Monroe -- 21st round draft pick, Padres
RHP Joseph Peeler (incoming signee) -- 25th round draft pick, Royals
RP Will Shepley -- 31st round draft pick, Orioles
1B Corey Dick (graduated)
OF/DH Luke Dunlap (graduated)

Newcomers

IF/OF Blake Deatherage (Burlington, N.C./Western Alamance)
OF/RHP Clark Cota (Hampstead, N.C./Topsail)
1B Walker Imwalle (Wallace, N.C./Wallace-Rose Hill)
C Tyler Lancaster (Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork (Spartanburg Methodist)
RHP Alex Royalty (Raleigh, N.C./Millbrook)

Returning Outfielders

LF Steven Linkous (Sr.)
CF Casey Golden (Jr.)
Joe Bertone (Sr.)
Justin Carroll (Jr.)

Returning Infielders

3B Terence Connelly (Sr.)
SS Kennard McDowell (r-Jr.)
2B Robbie Thorburn (Jr.)
1B Andy Austin (Sr.)
2B Zach Canada (So.)
2B Brian Mims (So.)
Daniel Stack (Jr.)
Jacob Sasser (r-So.)

Returning Catchers

Gavin Stupiensky (r-Jr.)
Chris Gaffney (r-So.)
Nick Feight (So.)

Returning Starting Pitchers

RHP Ryan Foster (Sr.)
RHP Justin Crump (So.)
RHP Josh Roberson (So.)
RHP Austin Easter (So.)

Returning Relief Pitchers

RHP Jared Gesell (Sr.)
LHP Whitman Barnes (r-So.)
RHP Austin Magestro(So.)
LHP Clay Lockamon (r-So.)
RHP Cory Gantz (Jr.)
LHP Taylor Hyssong (Sr.)
RHP Matt Maready (Jr.)
RHP Daniel Hamilton (r-Fr.)


While our departures next season will be missed greatly, there's a ton of returning talent for the Seahawks next season, and there's no reason we won't be favored alongside Charleston to take the CAA once again in '16.

With the two of the three outfield spots intact (unless of course by some miracle Eric Jenkins doesn't get drafted early and comes to school), the Hawks keep some nice speed at the top of the lineup with Linkous and Golden. The RF spot will come down to Joe Bertone, the strongest player on the team and start of the Regionals' wrestling act that made it on ESPN, Justin Carroll or a newcomer.

In the infield, specifically at first base, Andy Austin could find competition with freshman Walker Imwalle (Wallace, NC/Wallace-Rose Hill). Imwalle is another "baseball player in a football body" who we may well be comparing to Corey Dick before long. Standing at 6-4 (about 3 or 4 inches taller than Corey), 255 lbs. Imwalle is an imposing figure batting from the left side. He was an All-Four County Conference selection last season, when he hit .338 and blasted three homeruns. Austin (another left-handed hitter) will need to snag full-time starting duties and not let go in order to secure playing time, as there will be no platoon in this situation. Connelly and McDowell hold down the left side of the infield, while 2B returns Thorburn, Canada and Mims.

Behind the plate, the Seahawks brought in another Spartanburg Methodist player, continuing the trend started when the Seahawks "stole" Zach Shields and Kennard McDowell from Charleston's recruiting "territory". Tyler Lancaster (Irmo, SC), another lefty hitter like Gavin Stupiensky, could find himself immediately inserted in the lineup, perhaps with Stupienski moved to DH or even 1B duties. UNCW has always been solid behind the plate, so it can be expected that this continuity will continue with Lancaster on the roster and Gaffney and Feight waiting in the wings.

When it comes to starting pitching, the departures of Evan Phillips and Nick Monroe as Juniors prevents the Seahawks from returning three Seniors to the weekend rotation. That leaves the Saturday and Sunday options up to the progression of the many young arms on the staff. Crump, Roberson and Easter all showed some flashes last season but will need to develop over the offseason to earn regular spots in the weekly rotation. Other arms will hopefully emerge as time goes on.

In the bullpen, the losses of flame-throwers Ramsey and lefty Shepley mean that Barnes and Gesell will be the go-to options for Coach Scalf and pitching coach Matt Williams. With so many righties in the starting rotation, situational lefties will be crucial to our success next season. Along with Barnes, Clay Lockamon could prove valuable in the middle innings in this role. Austin Magestro will look to regain a middle innings role next season as well.

Overall, the Seahawks are looking very strong next season, and it will be intriguing to see what the incoming recruiting class brings to the table. There are precious few spots to be won next season, but with a graduating class of 7 following the 2016 campaign (including Linkous, Connelly, Austin, Monroe and Foster), new faces will need to emerge prior to 2017 and show they are ready to fill those gaps.