Fredericksburg, VA – Over a year ago, while schools were competing in the post season, Head Coach Brett Lindsay was actively recruiting for his first-year program that would have to compete in a conference that is traditionally one of the best when it comes to baseball. Fast forward to today, Lindsay's Regent University Baseball team, who proved the preseason voters wrong by finishing in 4th place, began the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Tournament in the semifinals facing the #1 seed and #24 ranked University of Mary Washington. While this was new territory for the Royals, they came in knowing what was at stake.
Junior Will Maloney (Midlothian, VA), a Coast-To-Coast All-Conference selection, delivered a solid outing, going 6.2 innings while striking out five and walking just one. He kept Regent in the game early, allowing only one unearned run in the first inning and working out of several jams, limiting damage. Freshman Nathan Vaughan (Mechanicsville, VA), singled up the middle in the first inning to get things started for the Royals as they showed aggressive base running, swiping three bags on the day, including back-to-back steals by Vaughan and Freshaman Jordan Hunt (Virginia Beach, VA). Regent put multiple runners on base throughout the contest, drawing four walks and four hit-by-pitches.
Defensively, the Royals turned in a strong performance as Hunt and the infield showed range, while the outfielders, including Freshman Caleb Wood (Glen Allen, VA) and Sophomore Andrew Knox (Chesapeake, VA), made several routine plays to keep the game within reach. However, despite keeping the game close, Regent would fall to the #24 Eagles by a final score of 5-0.
The Royals have now concluded their inaugural season and have a number of accomplishments for the record books. Regent won 18 games, finished 3-2 in the C2C which was good enough for 4th place, had four C2C All-Conference selections and had four players finish in the Top 5 of various conference statistical categories. With most of the team returning and a strong incoming recruiting class, the Royals and Lindsay look to build upon this season's success and set the standard for years to come.
