Tusculum University Baseball: A Legacy of Pioneers
Tusculum University's baseball program has a rich history, marked by conference championships, individual accolades, and a strong presence in professional baseball. From its early triumphs to recent successes, the program has consistently produced talented players and dedicated coaches.
Early Successes: The 1964 Championship Team
One of the defining moments in Tusculum baseball history is the 1964 team's Volunteer State Athletic Conference championship. This marked the first time a Tusculum baseball team had reached the top of the conference. The Pioneers clinched the title in an extra-innings thriller against Carson-Newman College. To commemorate this achievement, the 1964 team was honored at a Pioneer baseball game, celebrating the 50th anniversary of their victory. The team roster included Bob Lapsley ’66, Ray Collins ’65, Jim Rich ’67, Ed Rogers ’64, Tom Satten ’67, Steve Monsky, Dave Jurkiewicz ’66, Ron Pugh 65, Joe Sipos ’68 and Coach Dale Alexander.
Individual Achievements and National Recognition
Tusculum's baseball program has consistently produced outstanding individual players who have earned national recognition. In 2016, pitcher Devan Watts was selected in the 17th round of the MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. He quickly ascended through the Braves' minor league system, showcasing his talent and potential. Another notable player, Brandon Dickson, has had a successful professional career, including stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Orix Buffaloes in Japan's Nippon Professional League. Maikol Gonzalez has also made a name for himself in professional baseball, playing for various teams in the American Association. Cody Coffman, who played at Tusculum from 2011-2012, earned All-America honors and led the Pioneers with a .417 batting average during Tusculum’s 2012 SAC title run.
In 2016, Tusculum hurler, Torres, had the finest season ever recorded, capturing every NCAA Division II Pitcher of the Year accolade. He swept the three national pitcher of the year awards by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CAA - selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America). He was also tabbed the 2016 recipient of the Brett Tomko Award, which recognizes the DII National Pitcher of the Year as selected by D2 Baseball News. Torres was also named the 2015-16 Tusculum College Male Athlete of the Year and the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) Male Athlete of the Year. He posted a perfect 11-0 record in his 14 starts where he pitched seven complete games, including a Tusculum-single-season record four shutouts.
These players' success stories demonstrate the program's ability to develop talent and prepare athletes for the next level.
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The Doug Jones Era: A Period of Sustained Success
Doug Jones is a significant figure in Tusculum baseball history, having served as the head coach for 21 seasons during the Division II era. Under his leadership, the Pioneers achieved remarkable success, including four straight 40-win seasons from 2005-2008. This period saw the team win three SAC championships, two SAC Tournament crowns, and make three trips to the NCAA postseason. The 2005 team was particularly dominant, sweeping both the SAC regular season and tournament titles with a 44-17 record. Jones's coaching prowess was recognized through numerous accolades, and his impact on the program is undeniable.
The C.J. Steele Era: Building on a Strong Foundation
C.J. Steele took over as the head baseball coach at Tusculum, becoming just the second Tusculum head baseball coach of the Division II era following the retirement of Doug Jones. In his first season (2019), Steele guided Tusculum to a 30-21 overall record and a tie for third place in the South Atlantic Conference standings with a 17-7 record. In his third season as TU skipper, the Pioneers accounted for a 30-11 worksheet and claimed runner-up honors with a 25-7 SAC record. The 25 league wins were a Tusculum and SAC single-season record. TU won seven of its eight weekend SAC series (the one series they did not win, they did split the 4-game weekend series). The Pioneers boasted three All-Americans including second baseman Daulton Martin, outfielder Brandon Trammell and relief pitcher Mitch McCain. The 2021 squad also included three student-athletes recognized for excellence in the classroom. On Feb. 21, 2023, he recorded his 100th career win in a 13-5 victory over 30th-ranked Young Harris. Steele becomes the third Tusculum baseball skipper to elipse 100 wins.
Steele has coached 20 All-Americans, 42 All-Region honorees and 76 All-Conference selections including two SAC Players of the Year (Maikol Gonzalez - 2007; Jared Richmond - 2010) and six SAC Pitchers of the Year (Brent Gabel - 2005; Kevin Hammons - 2007; C.J. Steele’s coaching experience also extends to summer baseball. He served as associate head coach for the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the prestigious Northwoods League in 2007 and 2008. Steele’s 2008 squad set numerous league and franchise records including tying the franchise mark for wins with 41. His 2008 Woodchucks also made their first playoff appearance since 2003. During the summers of 2005 and 2006 Steele served as manager of the Medicine Hat Mavericks. In 2004 Steele was the Assistant Field manager of the London Majors of the Intercounty Baseball League. While with London, Steele helped lead the Majors to the league championship for the first time in 25 years. His previous playing experience includes time with the London Majors of the Semi-Pro Intercounty Baseball League from 1997-2003. For his 2001 performance, Steele was named a First Team All-Star. That season he batted .387 with 12 doubles, four home runs and 25 RBI. Steele has served on the baseball camp staffs at Duke, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Eastern Michigan.
Tusculum University: A Foundation for Success
Tusculum University, founded in 1794, provides a unique service for entering transfer students called an Individualized Graduation Plan (IGP). It will list all the courses that are needed in order to graduate from Tusculum, while giving you an idea of the courses you will be taking each semester. Tusculum University is a private Presbyterian university with its main campus in Tusculum, Tennessee. Samuel Doak and Hezekiah Balch sought the same goals through their separate colleges. In 1806, emancipated slave John Gloucester became the first African-American student to study at Greeneville College. S.W. Doak was named after Princeton University's then-president Dr. John Witherspoon, a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and Tusculum Academy was named after Witherspoon's estate at the College of New Jersey (Princeton). The original Tusculum was a city near Rome, Italy, and home to Roman scholar and philosopher Cicero.
Pioneers Beyond the Baseball Field
Tusculum alumni have found success in a variety of fields. Lauren Abramson Baes ’02 is the head athletic trainer at Father Ryan High School, overseeing a large number of athletes and sports teams. Becca Boyd ’08 is the vice president and director of human resources for SmartBank. Marissa Williams ’15 is an assistant coach in the men’s and women’s soccer program at Carson-Newman University.
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Notable Alumni
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