New coach, same goals for Wildcats’ baseball team

BY ANDREAS BUTLER
FLORIDA COURIER

Over the last 16 years, Bethune-Cookman has had one of the most successful baseball programs in the nation, especially among historically Black colleges and universities.

Longtime Coach Mervyl Melendez left last summer to take over the Alabama State program and the school has hired former University of Tennessee assistant Jason Beverlin.

Jason Beverlin, B-CU’s head baseball coach, shown in the center, is flanked by new assistant coaches Barry Shaft, left, and Kenny Smith. They were speaking to the media on Tuesday about the upcoming season. (ANDREAS BUTLER/FLORIDA COURIER)

The Wildcats have won six straight MEAC crowns and made six straight NCAA appearances. They have won 14 of the last 16 MEAC titles and made the NCAA Regional tournament in 12 of the last 13 seasons.

The team boasts the nation’s longest current conference winning streak at 46 games. While the team has a new coach, the goals remain the same. B-CU wants to win the MEAC, a NCAA Regional and, eventually, a College World Series.

A closer look

Last season, the team was 36-25 overall, 18-0 MEAC, named conference champions, and made it to NCAA Regional’s in 2011. Their strengths are pitching and experience while the weakness is depth.

The hitters

The Wildcats don’t have the power that they had in recent years with the loss of Peter O’ Brien, Ryan Durrence and D.J. Leonard. The three rank among the school’s top homerun hitters of all time. They still have some pop in their bats with Nick Johnson, David Lee, Brandon Turner and Alejandro Sanchez. B-CU will have to manufacture runs to win this season.

"We are going to play small ball more. The offense that we play will depend on the situation of the game," said Beverlin.

The pitchers

The Wildcats lost Patrick Goelz but still has plenty of talent led by ace and freshman All-American Scott Garner, who is from Port Orange and played ball at Spruce Creek High School. Gonzalez and Gabriel Hernandez return to the starting rotation as does Jordan Dailey in the bullpen. Jairo Acevedo will be counted on out the pen. Also, if Ali Simpson can return from injury and help, it betters the staff.

"This is the strength of our team. We are excited about our staff. Our pitching and our veteran leadership will have to carry us," stated Beverlin.

The outlook

The Wildcats still have the most talent in the MEAC. They don’t have a lot of depth with only 23 players on roster. They lost a lot of power with a total of 30 homeruns gone from last season. The Wildcats are still a veteran team with plenty of experience and a very good pitching staff. Everyone is anxious to see how B-CU will play. The Wildcats still have the talent to win the conference. As usual, it’s a question of can they finally win a regional. Barring injury, they should be fine.

Q&A with Beverlin

Q: What is the toughest part of your transition?

A: "It’s been going pretty good. The athletic department has helped us get acclimated. We also have small numbers. I’m used to larger teams. It brings more competition, which is good because everyone fights for their position. There is nothing that motivates a player more than competing for playing time."

Q: Why aren’t you playing in this year’s Major League Baseball Urban Baseball Classic?

A: "We wanted to play in it. When we finally got a hold of someone, they informed us that the tournament was moved to Houston. They are trying to get more SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) teams in it. They also want to expand out into other markets."

Q: With the success that the program has had, you guys are a marked team. How do you prepare for that?

A: "Anytime you are the top team in your conference, the rest of the teams come after you. We are still the champs. Championships come through Daytona."