2022 VCU Rams baseball team

Last updated

2022 VCU Rams baseball
VCU Rams logo.svg
Conference Atlantic 10 Conference
Record42–20 (19–5 A-10)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Rich Witten (5th season)
  • Seth Cutler-Voltz (3rd season)
  • Andrew Llewellyn (2nd season)
MVP Tyler Locklear
Captains
Home stadium The Diamond
Seasons
  2021
2023  
2022 Atlantic 10 Conference baseball standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L T PCTW L T PCT
Davidson  2040 .83343130 .768
VCU  y1950 .79242200 .677
Saint Louis  1490 .60929240 .547
Rhode Island  14100 .58320350 .364
George Mason  13110 .54223330 .411
Saint Joseph's  12110 .52229250 .537
Richmond  11130 .45830260 .536
Dayton  10140 .41723270 .460
George Washington  10140 .41722300 .423
Fordham  9150 .37516360 .308
UMass  8160 .33322261 .459
St. Bonaventure  3210 .1256390 .133
Conference champion
Tournament [1] champion
y Invited to the NCAA tournament
Rankings from D1Baseball

The 2022 VCU Rams baseball team represented Virginia Commonwealth University during the 2022 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Rams played their home games at The Diamond as a member of the Atlantic 10 Conference. They were led by head coach Shawn Stiffler, in his 10th season at VCU.

Contents

VCU earned their first 40-win season since 2015, and repeated as Atlantic 10 Tournament champions. The reached the Regional Final of the NCAA Chapel Hill Regional before losing to North Carolina in game 7.

Previous season

The 2021 VCU Rams baseball team notched a 38–16 (13–3) regular season record. Due to ongoing issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rams began their season on February 20, about a week later than usual, due to the pandemic. VCU won the 2021 Atlantic 10 Conference baseball tournament over Dayton, and qualified for the NCAA Division I baseball tournament for the first time since 2015. They were seeded number two in the Starkville Regional, their highest seeding since 2003. There, they defeated Campbell in the opening round, before losing to Mississippi State, the eventual National Champions, and Campbell for a second loss, causing their elimination.

Freshman Tyler Locklear won the Atlantic 10 Player and Rookie of the Year. Locklear earned a number of allocades including national recognition from ABCA, Baseball America, NCBWA, and Collegiate Baseball.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

AwardPlayerPositionYear
Golden Spikes Award [2] Tyler Locklear INFRS Sophomore

Coaches poll

The Atlantic 10 baseball coaches' poll was released on February 15, 2022. VCU was picked to finish first in the Atlantic 10. [3]

Coaches' Poll
Predicted finishTeamPoints
1VCU143 (11)
2Dayton122 (1)
3Rhode Island101
4Saint Louis94
5Davidson91
6Fordham83
7George Washington80
8Richmond76
9Saint Joseph's73
10George Mason33
11UMass26
12St. Bonaventure14

Preseason Atlantic 10 awards and honors

Tyler Locklear was named the Atlantic 10 Preseason Player of the Year, while Locklear, Mason Delane, and Michael Haydak were named to the All-Atlantic 10 Preseason team. [4]

A-10 Preseason Player of the Year
PlayerNo.PositionClass
Tyler Locklear283BRS Sophomore
Preseason All-Atlantic 10 Team
PlayerNo.PositionClass
Mason Delane33RHPRS Sophomore
Michael Haydak2UTLRS Junior
Tyler Locklear283BRS Sophomore

Preseason All-Americans

First Team All-Americans
PlayerNo.PositionClassSelector(s)
Tyler Locklear283BRS Sophomore Collegiate Baseball [5]
D1Baseball [6]
Perfect Game [7]
Second Team All-Americans
PlayerNo.PositionClassSelector(s)
Tyler Locklear283BRS Sophomore NCBWA [8]

Personnel

Roster

2022 VCU Rams baseball team
PlayersCoaches
#Pos.NameB/THeightWeightYearHome town
1 INF Marcus O'MalleyL/R5 ft 9 in(1.75 m)161 lb (73 kg)Fr Naples, FL
2 INF Michael HaydakR/R5 ft 11 in(1.8 m)190 lb (86 kg)RS Jr Tampa, FL
3 INF Connor HujsakR/R6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)195 lb (88 kg)So Goffstown, NH
4 INF Ryan RecioR/R6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)184 lb (83 kg)Fr Boca Raton, FL
6 INF Griffin BooneR/R6 ft 0 in(1.83 m)180 lb (82 kg)So Montclair, VA
8 INF Aaron BarberS/R5 ft 7 in(1.7 m)190 lb (86 kg)RS So Seattle, WA
9 OF Scottie O'BryanR/R6 ft 0 in(1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg)RS So Jamesville, NY
10 RHP Edwin SerranoR/R5 ft 11 in(1.8 m)165 lb (75 kg)RS Sr Haines City, FL
12 OF Jesse RobinsonR/R6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg)Fr Henrico, VA
13 OF A. J. MathisL/L5 ft 8 in(1.73 m)165 lb (75 kg)RS Jr Tampa, FL
14 C Brendan RoneyR/R5 ft 10 in(1.78 m)185 lb (84 kg)RS Fr Cudjoe Key, FL
15 C Jacob SeldenL/R6 ft 0 in(1.83 m)175 lb (79 kg)Gr Charleston, SC
16 LHP Joey PerkinsL/L6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)215 lb (98 kg)RS Jr Lebanon, OH
17 C Casey GibbsS/R6 ft 0 in(1.83 m)170 lb (77 kg)Fr Olney, MD
18 RHP Brendan WilkinsonR/R6 ft 1 in(1.85 m)180 lb (82 kg)Fr Milton, ON
19 OF John LucasR/R6 ft 1 in(1.85 m)130 lb (59 kg)Fr Midlothian, VA
20 LHP Jaden GriffinL/L6 ft 0 in(1.83 m)205 lb (93 kg)RS Jr Lower Sackville, NS
21 OF Logan AmissL/R5 ft 11 in(1.8 m)205 lb (93 kg)RS Jr Powhatan, VA
22 RHP Zach BoswellR/R5 ft 10 in(1.78 m)185 lb (84 kg)RS Jr Snohomish, WA
23 RHP Ethan MishraR/R6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)200 lb (91 kg)Fr Washington, DC
24 LHP Maddison FurmanL/L5 ft 9 in(1.75 m)185 lb (84 kg)RS Jr Richmond, VA
25 LHP Jack MasloffL/L6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg)RS So Charlottesville, VA
26 OF Cooper BenzinR/R6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)195 lb (88 kg)RS So Ashland, VA
27 RHP Nick FrazierR/R5 ft 9 in(1.75 m)170 lb (77 kg)Fr Vienna, VA
28 INF Tyler Locklear R/R6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)210 lb (95 kg)RS So Abingdon, MD
30 RHP Virot SiharathR/R5 ft 10 in(1.78 m)200 lb (91 kg)Fr Keswick, ON
32 OF Devan BarnettL/L6 ft 5 in(1.96 m)212 lb (96 kg)So Pittsburgh, PA
33 RHP Mason DelaneR/R6 ft 4 in(1.93 m)205 lb (93 kg)RS So Colonial Beach, VA
34 INF Ben NippoltL/R5 ft 10 in(1.78 m)165 lb (75 kg)RS So Saint Paul, MN
37 C Nic EriccsonR/R6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)200 lb (91 kg)RS So Woodbridge, VA
38 RHP Nolan WilsonR/R6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)215 lb (98 kg)Gr Atlanta, GA
39 RHP Evan ChenierR/R6 ft 5 in(1.96 m)215 lb (98 kg)RS Jr Georgetown, ON
40 INF Will CarloneR/R6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)205 lb (93 kg)RS So West Seneca, NY
41 INF Chase HungateL/R6 ft 0 in(1.83 m)175 lb (79 kg)Fr Abingdon, VA
43 LHP Cade DresslerL/L6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)225 lb (102 kg)Fr Mifflinburg, PA
44 C Tyler CoyR/R6 ft 3 in(1.91 m)230 lb (104 kg)So Williamsville, NY
45 LHP Tyler DavisL/L6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)210 lb (95 kg)So Newport News, VA
46 LHP Campbell EllisL/L6 ft 4 in(1.93 m)200 lb (91 kg)So Georgetown, ON
50 RHP Justin HumenayR/R6 ft 0 in(1.83 m)195 lb (88 kg)So Montreal, QC
55 RHP Braedin HuntR/R6 ft 2 in(1.88 m)210 lb (95 kg)RS Fr Old Bridge, NJ
Head coach

Shawn Stiffler

Assistant coach(es)

Rich Witten
Seth Cutler-Voltz
Andrew Llewellyn


Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Current redshirt

Roster
Last update: January 27, 2022

Coaching staff

2022 VCU Rams baseball coaching staff
NamePositionSeasons at
VCU
Alma Mater
Shawn Stiffler Head Coach10 George Mason University (2001)
Rich WittenAssistant Coach5 Coastal Carolina University (2012)
Seth Cutler-VoltzAssistant Coach3 Virginia Commonwealth University (2012)
Andrew LlewellynAssistant Coach2 Wingate University (2020)

Offseason

Departures

VCU Departures
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Steven Carpenter1INF5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)185 Sr. Quinton, Virginia,Graduated
Hogan Brown8UTL6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)200 Jr. Virginia Beach, Virginia,Did not return
Nick Evangelista9RHP5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)205 Jr. Sewell, New Jersey,Transferred to Fairleigh Dickinson
Brandon Henson12OF5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)185 Sr. Reynoldsburg, Ohio,Graduated
Greg Ryan13INF6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)200 So. Richmond, Virginia,Transferred to Longwood
Josh Simon17C6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)195 Sr. Laurel, Maryland Graduated
Andrew Puglielli22INF5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 Sr. Naples, Florida,Graduated
Michael Dailey30RHP5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)170 Sr. Troy, Virginia,Graduated
Bradford Webb34RHP6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)200 Gr. Charlotte Court House, Virginia,Drafted by Texas Rangers
Danny Watson38RHP6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)235 So. Nassau, New York,Drafted by New York Yankees

Transfers

Incoming Transfers
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownPrevious School
Michael Haydak2 INF 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)190 RS-Jr. Tampa, Florida, Pasco-Hernando State
Aaron Barber8 INF 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)190 RS-So. Seattle, Washington Everett CC
Scottie O'Bryan9 OF 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)195 RS-So. Jamesville, New York, Niagara County CC
Edwin Serrano10 RHP 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)165 RS-Sr. Haines City, Florida, South Florida State
AJ Mathis13 OF 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)165 RS-Jr. Tampa, Florida, Eastern Florida State
Brendan Roney14 C 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)185 RS-Fr. Cudjoe Key, Florida, Boston College
Jacob Selden15 C 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)175 Gr. Charleston, South Carolina, Randolph–Macon
Joey Perkins16 LHP 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)215 RS-Jr. Lebanon, Ohio, Lincoln Trail College
Zach Boswell22 RHP 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)185 RS-Jr. Snohomish, Washington Everett CC
Ben Nippolt34 INF 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)165 RS-So. St. Paul, Minnesota, Des Moines Area CC
Nolan Wilson38 RHP 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)215 Gr. Atlanta, Georgia, Virginia Tech

Signing Day Recruits

The following players signed National Letter of Intents to play for VCU in 2022.

PlayerHometownHigh School
Pitchers
Cade Dressler Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania Mifflingburg Area
Nick Frazier Vienna, Virginia, Bishop O'Connell
Chase Hungate Abingdon, Virginia, Abingdon (VA)
Ethan Mishra Washington, D.C. St. John's College
Virot Siharath Keswick, Ontario Crothers
Brendan Wilkinson Milton, Ontario Kielburger
Hitters
Casey Gibbs Olney, Maryland St. John's College
John Lucas Midlothian, Virginia, Trinity Episcopal (VA)
Marcus O'Malley Naples, Florida, Collier
Ryan Recio Boca Raton, Florida, Boca Raton Community
Jesse Robinson Henrico, Virginia, Deep Run

2021 MLB Draft

RoundPickPlayerPositionMLB Team
#7#194Bradford WebbRHP Texas Rangers [9]
#15#453Danny WatsonRHP New York Yankees [10]

Game log

2022 VCU Rams baseball game log (42–20)
Regular season (36–18)
Post-season (6–2)
Legend:       = Win       = Loss       = Canceled
Bold =VCU team member
Rankings are based on the team's current ranking in the D1Baseball poll.

[11]

Tournaments

Atlantic 10 tournament

Atlantic 10 tournament teams
(1) Davidson Wildcats(2) VCU Rams(3) Saint Louis Billikens(4) Rhode Island Rams(5) George Mason Patriots(6) Saint Joseph's Hawks(7) Richmond Spiders
Upper round 1Upper round 2Upper finalFinal
1 Davidson 6
5 George Mason 2
4 Rhode Island 3
5 George Mason 7
1 Davidson 6
2 VCU 14
3 Saint Louis 1
6 Saint Joseph's 2
2 VCU 8
6 Saint Joseph's 4
2 VCU 4
7 Richmond 3
2 VCU 10
7 Richmond 7
Lower round 1Lower round 2Lower round 3Lower final
5 George Mason 3
4 Rhode Island 17 Richmond 71 Davidson 9
7 Richmond 47 Richmond 167 Richmond 12
3 Saint Louis 4
3 Saint Louis 10
6 Saint Joseph's 6
First Round (Game 3)
(7) Richmond Spidersvs.(2) VCU Rams
May 24, 2022 7:02 pm (EDT) at T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field in Davidson, North Carolina
Team123456789 R H E
(7) Richmond000000003362
(2) VCU00002020X492
WP: Chase Hungate (5–4)   LP: Brock Weirather (6–5)
Home runs:
UR: None
VCU: None
Attendance: 291

|

Second Round (Game 5)
(2) VCU Ramsvs.(6) Saint Joseph's Hawks
May 25, 2022 3:30 pm (EDT) at T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field in Davidson, North Carolina
Team123456789 R H E
(2) VCU1005000208112
(6) Saint Joseph's000001120480
WP: Maddison Furman (6–0)   LP: Ian McCole (3–6)
Home runs:
VCU: Tyler Locklear, Connor Hujsak, Ben Nippolt
STJ: Nate Thomas
Attendance: 394

|}

Semifinal (Game 10)
(1) Davidson Wildcatsvs.(2) VCU Rams
May 27, 2022 3:57 pm (EDT) at T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field in Davidson, North Carolina
Team123456789 R H E
(1) Davidson0000003216123
(2) VCU00313124X14140
WP: Evan Chenier (2–0)   LP: Blake Hely (9–2)
Home runs:
DAV: Michael Carico, Jacob Hinderleider
VCU: Tyler Locklear, Jacob Selden, Will Carlone
Attendance: 825

|

Final (Game 12)
(2) VCU Ramsvs.(7) Richmond Spiders
May 28, 2022 3:30 pm (EDT) at T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field in Davidson, North Carolina
Team123456789 R H E
(2) VCU20400300110131
(7) Richmond0312001007131
WP: Chase Hungate (6–4)   LP: Antonio Balducci (1–1)   Sv: Jack Masloff (5)
Home runs:
VCU: Tyler Locklear
UR: None
Attendance: 455

|}

NCAA Chapel Hill Regional

Chapel Hill Regional Teams
(1) North Carolina Tar Heels(2) Georgia Bulldogs(3) VCU Rams(4) Hofstra Pride
First roundSemi-finalsFinals
1North Carolina15
4Hofstra4
1North Carolina3
3VCU4
3VCU8
2Georgia1
3VCU83
1North Carolina197
Lower round 1Lower final
1North Carolina6
4Hofstra12Georgia5
2Georgia24
First Round (Game 2)
(3) VCU Ramsvs.(2) Georgia Bulldogs
May 24, 2022 7:02 pm (EDT) at T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field in Davidson, North Carolina
Team123456789 R H E
(3) VCU000000003362
(2) Georgia00002020X492
WP: Chase Hungate (5–4)   LP: Brock Weirather (6–5)
Home runs:
VCU: None
UGA: None
Attendance: 291

|

Semifinals (Game 4)
(1) North Carolina Tar Heelsvs.(2) VCU Rams
May 25, 2022 3:30 pm (EDT) at T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field in Davidson, North Carolina
Team123456789 R H E
(1) North Carolina1005000208112
(3) VCU000001120480
WP: Maddison Furman (6–0)   LP: Ian McCole (3–6)
Home runs:
UNC: Tyler Locklear, Connor Hujsak, Ben Nippolt
VCU: Nate Thomas
Attendance: 394

|}

Final – Game 1 (Game 6)
(3) VCU Ramsvs.(1) North Carolina Tar Heels
May 27, 2022 3:57 pm (EDT) at T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field in Davidson, North Carolina
Team123456789 R H E
(1) Davidson0000003216123
(2) VCU00313124X14140
WP: Evan Chenier (2–0)   LP: Blake Hely (9–2)
Home runs:
DAV: Michael Carico, Jacob Hinderleider
VCU: Tyler Locklear, Jacob Selden, Will Carlone
Attendance: 825

|

Final – Game 2 (Game 7)
(2) VCU Ramsvs.(7) Richmond Spiders
May 28, 2022 3:30 pm (EDT) at T. Henry Wilson, Jr. Field in Davidson, North Carolina
Team123456789 R H E
(2) VCU20400300110131
(7) Richmond0312001007131
WP: Chase Hungate (6–4)   LP: Antonio Balducci (1–1)   Sv: Jack Masloff (5)
Home runs:
VCU: Tyler Locklear
UR: None
Attendance: 455

|}

Statistics

Statistics current through May 20, 2022. [12]

Team batting

TeamABAvg.H2B3BHRRBISLGBBSO
VCU1814.3045521331478417.522305463
Opponents1710.21737179539186.337194509

Team pitching

TeamIPHRERBBSOSVERA
VCU'463.2371215186194509153.61
Opponents441.055245041130546368.39

Individual batting

Note: leaders must meet the minimum requirement of 2 PA/G and 75% of games played

PlayerGPABAvg.H2B3BHRRBIBBSOSB

Individual pitching

Note: leaders must meet the minimum requirement of 1 IP/G

PlayerGPGSWLIPHRERBBSOSVERA
Legend
  GP Games played  GS Games started AB At-bats
  H Hits Avg. Batting average 2B Doubles
 3B Triples HR Home runs RBI Runs batted in
  IP Innings pitched  WWins L Losses
 ERA Earned run average SO Strikeouts BB Base on balls
 SV Saves SB Stolen bases High Team high

Awards and honors

Weekly honors
HonorsPlayerPositionDate awardedRef.
Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the WeekCampbell EllisLHPMay 9, 2022 [13]
Atlantic 10 Player of the Week Tyler Locklear 3BMay 16, 2022 [14]
Monthly honors
HonorsPlayerPositionDate awardedRef.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415161718Final
Coaches' [15] RVRV*RVRVRVRVRV
Baseball America [16] RVRVRVRV
Collegiate Baseball^ [17] RVRVRVRVRVRVRV
NCBWA [18] RVRVRVRVRV
D1Baseball [19] RVRVRVRV

^ Collegiate Baseball ranked 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranked 30 teams weekly during the season.
NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

References

  1. "2022 Baseball Standings". atlantic10.com. Atlantic 10 Conference.
  2. "USA Baseball Announces 2022 Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List". USA Baseball. February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  3. "Defending Champion VCU Selected to Repeat for A-10 Baseball Title". atlantic10.com. February 15, 2022. Retrieved February 18, 2022.
  4. Denny, A.J. (February 4, 2022). "Conference Preview: Atlantic 10". Perfect Game USA. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  5. "Collegiate Baseball 2022 All-Americans". Collegiate Baseball. Archived from the original on February 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  6. "2022 D1Baseball First-Team Preseason All-Americans". d1baseball.com. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  7. Cozart, Craig (January 5, 2022). "Preseason Collegiate All-Americans". Perfect Game USA. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  8. "NCBWA Announces 2022 Preseason Division I All-America Team". National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association . sportswriters.net. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  9. "Bradford Webb Drafted in Seventh Round by Texas Rangers". vcuathletics.com. July 12, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  10. "Danny Watson Drafted by New York Yankees in 15th Round". vcuathletics.com. July 13, 2021. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  11. "2022 Baseball Schedule". vcuathletics.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  12. "VCU - Season Statistics | Overall Statistics". stats.vcuathletics.com. Retrieved May 21, 2022.
  13. "Kopack, Genther Double Up for Rhody as #A10BASE Player, Rookie of the Week, VCU's Ellis Secures Pitcher Laurels". Atlantic 10 Conference. May 9, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  14. "Redding, Locklear Split #A10BASE Player of the Week Honors, Mason's Peterson Collects Pitcher Laurels, DePino Captures Third Rookie Distinction". Atlantic 10 Conference. May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  15. "NCAA Baseball - Coaches Poll". USA Today . Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  16. "College Top 25". Baseball America. January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  17. "2022 Collegiate Baseball Polls". baseballnews.com.
  18. "NCBWA Top 30 Polls". sportswriters.net. Archived from the original on July 24, 2009. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  19. "D1 Baseball: Rankings". d1baseball.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.