LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN -- Baseball is back.

The Covenant baseball team opens the season on Friday at home against Emory to begin the 2022 season. Last season, Covenant produced a 19-14 overall record and finished fourth in the conference. Under 16th-year head coach Doug Simons, the Scots now look to continue their success in 2022.

THE TEAM

Though Covenant graduated eight players last year, the squad still has a strong veteran presence of 10 seniors for the upcoming season. Andrew Brock, Ken Burke, Trevor Grapenthin, Joseph Ridenour, Conor Austin, Josh Harvey, Jackson Whitted, Tyler Cox, McKaleb Harlemon, and Tristen Green compose the 2022 senior class.

Ridenour is the sole returning All-USA South selection for the Scots, having been named to the All-West Division second team last year. During 2021, he led the team in batting average (.339) and tallied a .458 on base percentage.

Harvey and Harlemon also contributed to the team's success in 2021. Starting in 26 games at catcher, Harvey scored 24 runs and tallied 22 walks. Harlemon added three homers, 13 RBIs, and 10 runs scored. 

The returning seniors are joined by 13 juniors, including Nick Pettit, Harrison Adelgren, and Kenny Mills.

Pettit was second on the team in 2021 in innings pitched (45) and fourth in ERA (4.00). Adelgren tallied a .333 batting average (second on team) and .400 on base percentage, while Mills pitched 24.2 innings, going 2-0 with three saves, 13 strikeouts, and a 3.28 ERA.

They are joined by fellow juniors Sean Hogg, Collins Poole, Jackson Smith, Aaron Northcutt, Manny Mendoza, Jared Urick, Rush Preston, Jackson Rau, Jonathan Jones, and Cody Gibson.

The sophomore class for the Scots is led by pitchers Zach Tolleson, Austin Clark, and Bryce Bollinger. All three are coming off of successful freshman seasons, having each been awarded USA South Rookie Pitcher of the Week once during the year.

Bollinger came on strong to end 2021 and finished with a 0.75 ERA, while Tolleson was third on the team in innings pitched (38.0) and tied for second in strikeouts (30). Justin Alford, Chase McBryar, Judah O'Neal, Zeke Gilbert, Wes Dusek, Eli Orr, and Reese Bradley round out the sophomore class.

Covenant will bring in several newcomers, totaling 18 freshmen. Joseph Tolbert, Houghston Schaefer, Paul Noel, Logan Hare, Caleb Fauth, Josh McCaskill, Gates Shoemaker, Scotty Smith, Jack Carlisle, Garrett Hauenstein, Chris Savage, George Manera, Blake Beedle, Will Betsill, Chase Chadwick, Taylor Branch, Zach Ferlita, and Jackson Redmon all look to make their mark on the Covenant baseball program in 2022.

THE LEAGUE

The USA South looks to be a strong conference once again in 2022. Covenant was picked sixth in the USA South West Division in the league's annual coaches' poll. The Scots tallied 15 points.

The defending division and tournament champions, LaGrange, was picked atop the division followed by Piedmont.

THE SCHEDULE

After opening up the season at home in a single game against Emory (Feb. 11), the Scots will play three games on the road before returning on Feb. 19 for five consecutive home contests.

Over March 4-5, Covenant will play three games against Ferrum in the Tennessee Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tenn.

Conference play will then kick off on March 18, as the Scots will travel to Huntingdon for a three-game series. Other important conference matchups on the road are Piedmont (April 8-9) and Berea (April 29-30).

Covenant will host several USA South opponents, including preseason favorites LaGrange (March 25-26), Brevard (April 1-2), and Maryville (April 15-16).

The USA South Divisional tournament is scheduled for May 5-7, with the top four teams on each side advancing. The USA South Championship series will follow May 12-14.

CONNECT WITH THE SCOTS

Be sure to follow the Scots all season long on athletics.covenant.edu and on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for up-to-date scores, news and other information.