May 6, 2022 – Chesapeake, VA
Coach Slaughter, a native & resident of Chesapeake, VA, is entering his 31st season coaching in the Greenbrier Knights organization, serving the past 11 seasons as head coach.
Coach Slaughter is the former head baseball coach at IC Norcom HS in Portsmouth, VA. Coach Slaughter played collegiate baseball at Virginia Wesleyan College.
May 3, 2022 – Virginia Beach, VA
Coach Bivens brings a decade of coaching experience at the amateur level and has a positive track record for developing talent and helping them transition to the next level. In the last 10 years he has helped over 15 high school baseball athletes earn scholarships at the collegiate level including schools such as: Old Dominion, Murray State University, West Virginia, George Mason, UNC Pembroke, Savannah State University, Richmond, & more.
His primary focus is on getting athletes bigger, faster, stronger, smarter, & more skilled. Taking a comprehensive approach to the game to build a complete player with a championship mindset. As a player, John Bivens Jr. is a former 12th round draft pick in 2010 to the Milwaukee Brewers out of Virginia State University. He was also a scholarship, two sport athlete at the University of Virginia from 2006-2009 playing football & baseball under the leadership of Coach O’Connor & Coach Mcmullan.
After his pro baseball career ended due to chronic knee & shoulder injuries, Bivens transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship. Where he is now the Owner & CEO of Vertex Performance LLC & Co-Founder of a non-profit, VXP Legacy, Inc. that is centered around sports, fitness, academics, youth mentorship, and professional development.
Personal:
Married to Dr. Deisha Bivens, DPT. Current Varsity High School Baseball & Football Coach at Heritage High School. Graduated high school from Prince George High School. Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist.
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Pitching Coach:
Coach Kyle Bogese brings a vast amount of coaching & playing experience stemming from a strong collegiate career that ultimately led to a shot in pro ball. Virginia Native that attended Thomas Dale High School as standout pitcher throwing up to 88mph his junior year. Kyle’s collegiate career led him to Trinity University in San Antonio, where he was able to increase his velocity to 97mph and earned a free agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
After transitioning from professional baseball he emerged himself into amatuer baseball development to give back to the youth & fulfill his passions to teach the game of baseball. Kyle is currently the co-owner and founder of The Backyard Baseball Lab that focuses on building the complete baseball player with a pro style curriculum to help them accomplish their goals. Specializes in building progressive arm strength & velocity development.
Career Highlights:
Personal:
Married to Virginia Joy Bogese with three daughters and a son. Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. Rapsodo 2.0 Certified. Owner of Trackman. Graduated from Thomas Dale High School.
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Arm Care Coordinator:
Coach RC Orlan comes to us with a plethora of baseball knowledge from first hand experience in professional baseball & amateur coaching. He was drafted out of Deep Run high school in 2009 in the 44th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers, but opted to attend the University of North Carolina.
Putting together an impressive collegiate campaign for the Tar Heels and making two appearances in the 2011 College World Series against Vanderbilt. His crafty and powerful left handed abilities put him in position to be drafted in the 30th round by the Washington Nationals. RC was then traded to the Cleveland Indians in 2017 via Rule 5 Draft. 7 Year Professional career making it all the way to Triple A & had a Big league Invite to Spring Training in 2019.
RC is now the Co-owner & founder of the Backyard Baseball Lab that focuses on amateur & professional baseball development. He specializes in building custom arm care routines with pro style throwing programs in conjunction with a tailored strength & power development program, an adequate nutrition plan.
Career Highlights:
Personal:
Married with no kids. Rapsodo 2.0 Certified. Web & App developer. Owner of Trackman. Remote Base Program Developer. Graduated from Deep Run High school
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The Tarboro River Bandits are excited to introduce your 2022 Head Coach, Grant Crosby. Coach Crosby is looking forward to bringing a championship to Tarboro in 2022. Let’s give Coach Crosby a big Tarboro welcome!!
Grant was born and raised in Knoxville, TN and is currently an Assistant Baseball Coach at Barton College. He spent the summer of 2020 as part of the staff with the Wilson Tobs, where he helped manage day to day team operations and was the team’s bench coach. Grant has also given private lessons to athletes over the past 5 years.
As a player, Grant spent one year (2016-17) at Cleveland State Community College where he posted a 5-3 W/L record in 43 2/3 innings with a 2.27 ERA and 47K.
He then attended Morehead State University for two years (2017-2019) where he had thirteen appearances as a member of the 2018 OVC Championship team that went to the Clemson regional (2017-2018 season). In the 2018-2019 season, he managed two appearances before his season was ended by a partial UCL tear injury.
He finished his final two years (2019-21) of college at Tusculum University where he started four games before season ending shoulder surgery (2019-20). In the 2020-21 season, he appeared four times after returning from surgery in early April, in a limited capacity.
Grant graduated from Tusculum University with a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management with a minor in Business in 2020 and in 2021, he graduated with a master’s degree in Sport Administration.
April 18, 2022
Edenton, NC- There’s a new leader for the Steamers.
Justin Hill, the current head coach at Currituck County High School, has been hired as the Steamers’ head coach for the 2022 season.
Hill brings over 20 years of managerial experience at the high school level, including the last 14 years as the manager of Currituck County High School’s varsity team. Working with collegiate players is a new chapter of coaching that he’s looking forward to.
“I’m excited to work with talented guys that are serious about the game,” Hill said. “That’s what I’m passionate about and I’m looking forward to this opportunity.”
Hill has lifelong experience with the area, growing up playing and eventually coaching in and around Edenton. He grew up in Elizabeth City and attended Currituck schools. The Steamers new manager even has ties to Historic Hicks Field from his playing days.
“When I was in high school I played at Historic Hicks Field, and I was on Edenton’s Post 40 Legion team in high school,” Hill said. “I’ve been in a lot of ball games at that park and have a lot of fond memories of summer ball in Edenton in that atmosphere.”
Hill’s history in Edenton, as well as his ability to help young players grow, made him an easy choice for Steamers’ general manager Tyler Russell.
“The Steamers are very excited about the hiring of Justin Hill. He brings a strong passion for the game of baseball and a willingness to help our players grow. During his many years at Currituck, he has molded numerous guys into great players, and has seen many of his men go on to the next level,” Russell said. “We are excited to see where he will lead our storied franchise on the field. We project nothing but great success for him and our players as we move through the upcoming season.”
Hill’s familiarity of the area brings an understanding of what fans of Edenton want to see from their team. He’s conscious of the team’s importance to the area and the support the team has behind them.
“Edenton still has that small town feel to it. When there’s a game going on, everyone knows about it…. That’s something that’s special to me, that small town feel and local people getting behind their guys,” Hill said. “My goal is to make the community of Edenton proud of the product that’s on the field. The wins and losses will take care of themselves.”
Hill’s been around the game long enough to know what qualities a team needs to win. His teams and his coaching style follow a similar theme.
Playing the game the right way.
“Respecting the game and playing it hard, that’s the only way I know how to practice and play,” Hill said. “That’s what I preach all the time, being accountable.”
Hill follows up Marshall McDonald, who spent the last two seasons guiding the teal and black. McDonald compiled a 37-16 record in league play as manager of the Steamers.
McDonald led the team in 2020 to its highest winning percentage in a single season in team history (21-5; .807 win percentage). He also coached elite talent like Houston Wright (2020 PCL MVP), Jake Rice (9th round pick in 2021 by Arizona Diamondbacks) and Joe Kemlage (2021 free agent signing by San Francisco Giants).
“The Steamers organization greatly appreciates all of the hard work over the last two years by Marshall McDonald. His stellar enthusiasm for the game was incomparable,” said Russell. “He made a huge impact on and off the field for our players and our fans. We wish him nothing but the best with his new position as the Head Coach at Catawba Valley Community College.”
McDonald posted a message to social media in which he thanked the Steamers and fans for rejuvenating his love for summer baseball. He ended his message with one last thank you to Edenton.
“To the fans and town of Edenton you will have a special place in mine and my wife’s heart forever,” McDonald wrote. “I can never express how much these last two summers have changed my life. But, for now I must move on and answer to life’s ever-changing call. Much love! Roll Clams! FOTC!”
Hill’s first game as manager will be on June 3rd when the Steamers take on the Clayton Clovers.
The Tidewater Summer League has released the 2022 schedule. A downloadable copy is available on the schedule page, and individual team schedules have been posted on the team pages.
The countdown until the TSL’s 2022 Opening Day has already begun, and preparations are underway to ensure another great summer of collegiate baseball for our Tidewater area players and fans.
College coaches widely agree that summer baseball has become the third leg of the collegiate season, and it’s value can not be overstated. James Madison University Head Coach Marlin Ikenberry sums it up best when speaking about his players participation in summer league baseball the previous summer,
“I am proud of our guys with the work they put in over the summer,” said head coach Marlin Ikenberry. “It’s part of the process. We break our seasons up into three’s: fall, spring, and the summers. The summer is a crucial part in the process in becoming a complete baseball player.”
The Tidewater Summer League is looking forward to another great season of collegiate, wood bat, summer league baseball and providing our players with the opportunity to gain valuable playing experience after their collegiate season has ended.
The 2022 season will run from June 2, 2022 through August 6, 2022, and will include our regular season games, exhibition games, our annual All Star game and our annual post season Postove Cup Championship Tournament.
We have combined the schedules of our local Tidewater Summer League teams with teams from the Premier Collegiate League, giving us six clubs competing for the 2022 Championship, the Virginia Beach Sea Dogs, Norfolk Redbirds, Suffolk Voyagers. Greenbrier Knights, Edenton Steamers and Tarboro River Bandits.
In addition to our championship season, and in partnership with the Piedmont Collegiate Baseball League (Richmond, VA), Tidewater Summer League teams will be playing eight (8) inter-league games with PCBL teams, the Sluggers, Barnstormers, Tigers and Patriots.
As part of this partnership, the 2nd Annual All Star Game between the Tidewater Summer League and the Piedmont Collegiate Baseball League will be held July 23rd. Location is to be announced. We will also be scheduling a game between the Tidewater Summer League Champion and the Piedmont Collegiate Baseball League Champion at the end of our respective seasons.
Our Premier Collegiate League teams will also be playing exhibition games with teams from the Carolina Virginia Collegiate League, Clayton Clovers, Wake Forest Fungo and Carolina Pirates and also independent teams from the western part of North Carolina, the Catawba Valley Stars and the Boone Bigfoots.
Players interested in joining one of our teams for the 2022 season should visit our Player Info page for details about the upcoming season, the league, player eligibility, teams, cost and the registration process.
On behalf of the Tidewater Summer League, we would like to say thank you to all of the players, coaches, interns and volunteers who helped make our 2021 season another summer to remember. Thank you to our fans who came out to support the players this summer, we know you were treated to some exciting collegiate summer league baseball.
We would like to recognize and say thank you to Gary Wright, Kevin Long and Bill Wall for their tireless efforts in getting and keeping Lakewood Park in great playing shape throughout the season. We would also like to thank Ron DelDuca for his assistance with our field maintenance work, and all of the others who contributed.
We would like to thank Coach Roberto Vaz and Coach Tyler McFadden, along with Coach Wright, Coach Wall and Coach Long for doing a great job coaching up the players this summer, keeping them organized through several unexpected schedule adjustments and creating the type of positive environment that allowed your players to develop and gain valuable playing experience this summer.
We would like to thank Eastern Officials Association, Mr. Chad Foltz and all of the great umpires at EOA. Their professionalism and dedication to baseball continue to help make our collegiate summer league a great place for players to develop and gain valuable playing experience.
We would like to thank our broadcast intern and sports information director Clint Huffman, who had to battle adversity with internet connectivity issues throughout the season, yet continued to do a great job for us in all areas. We would also like to thank our operations intern, Hunter Gregory, who did a great job for the league serving as our game day operations director.
We would like to thank the City of Norfolk Parks and Leisure Department, Mr. Ray Allen, Norfolk Christian School, Mr. Tim Bender, Atlantic Shores Christian, Coach Phil Kojack, First Colonial HS, Coach Scott Stubbe, War Memorial Stadium, the Peninsula Pilots, Henry Morgan, the staff at Grand Slam 2 and Coach Bobby Heoft, for graciously allowing us to use their facilities again this summer, thank you.
We would like to say thank you to the Piedmont Collegiate Baseball League and Isaac Lippert for being a part of our annual All Star Celebration and really making that night special for all the players and fans.
We would like to say thank you to all of the college coaches who allowed their players to join us this summer and be a part of the 2021 Tidewater Summer League. We trust that your players will return to campus this fall ready to compete and contribute to the program.
Finally, we would like to say thank you to Shannon Dooley, our league’s Director of Operations, who keeps the league running on schedule and together, and whose help each summer in invaluable. Thank you for all you do for the league, coaches, umpires, players, interns and fans.
Congratulations to Ryan Peterson, Tidewater Drillers Blue, on being named the 2021 TSL Postove Cup Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player. Ryan is a 2021 graduate of First Colonial HS in Virginia Beach, VA and will be begin his collegiate baseball career at Virginia Military Institute as an incoming freshman this fall.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRILLERS WHITE | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| DRILLERS BLUE | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | X | 10 | 11 | 2 |
Saturday, July 31, 2021 – Virginia Beach, VA
In the championship game of the 2021 TSL Postove Cup Championship Tournament, Tidewater Drillers Blue earns the title behind strong offensive performance.
Tidewater Drillers Blue had everything working on Saturday, winning big over Tidewater Drillers White 10-1
Tidewater Drillers Blue put up three runs in the fourth inning. Ryan Peterson and Avery Byrum powered the big inning with RBIs.
Gardner Meeks toed the rubber for Tidewater Drillers Blue. The pitcher went five innings, allowing one run on two hits, striking out eight and walking one.
Nick Mattfield was on the pitcher’s mound for Tidewater Drillers White. The righty went three innings, allowing three runs on three hits, striking out four and walking zero. Kade Abrisz, Tim Blackman, Gavin Spencer, and Ryan Long each entered the game as relief, throwing two innings, one and one-third innings, one inning, and two-thirds of an inning respectively.
Tidewater Drillers Blue tallied 11 hits in the game. Trent Jones and Bryce Jones all had multiple hits for Tidewater Drillers Blue. Jones and Jones each collected two hits to lead Tidewater Drillers Blue.
Spencer went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Tidewater Drillers White in hits.
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| Lineup | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Liakos | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dawson Guzik | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Noah Roots | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Aidan Pinto | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Kade Abrisz | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan Long | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Alex Fenney | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jackson Hughes | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Gavin Spencer | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan Ballard | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Josh Stevens | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Terrence McGowan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Gabriel Lopez | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim Blackman | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nick Mattfield | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Totals | 33 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 12 |
Batting TB: Alex Fenney, Jackson Hughes, Gavin Spencer 2
ROE: Gabriel Lopez, Gavin Spencer
FC: Ryan Ballard
HBP: Kade Abrisz
SB: Ryan Ballard, Josh Stevens
Totals Team QAB: 13 (35.14%)
Kade Abrisz, Ryan Ballard, Alex Fenney, Dawson Guzik 2, Jackson Hughes, Justin Liakos, Ryan Long, Aidan Pinto, Noah Roots, Gavin Spencer 2, Josh Stevens
Team LOB: 9 Fielding E: Jackson Hughes, Aidan Pinto
| Lineup | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Edwards | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Conner Butler | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Ryan Peterson | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Jonny Wall | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Avery Byrum | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Patrick Lundblum | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Garret Lyons | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Bryce Jones | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Trent Jones | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Ronaldo DelDuca | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Josh Prinzel | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Nicholas Jazkowski | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jacob Colbus | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Ian Barrett | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Justin Brown | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| John Horton | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Gardner Meeks | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Totals | 35 | 10 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 6 |
Batting 2B: Conner Butler, Trent Jones, Bryce Jones, Garret Lyons
TB: Conner Butler 2, Avery Byrum, Jacob Colbus, Ronaldo DelDuca, Kyle Edwards, Trent Jones 3, Bryce Jones 3, Garret Lyons 2, Josh Prinzel
RBI: Avery Byrum, Jacob Colbus 2, Ronaldo DelDuca 2, Bryce Jones, Ryan Peterson, Josh Prinzel
ROE: Nicholas Jazkowski
FC: Kyle Edwards
HBP: Conner Butler, Patrick Lundblum
SB: Conner Butler, Avery Byrum, Bryce Jones, Jonny Wall
PIK: Patrick Lundblum
Totals Team QAB: 19 (47.50%)
Conner Butler, Avery Byrum, Jacob Colbus 2, Ronaldo DelDuca, Kyle Edwards 3, Trent Jones 3, Bryce Jones 2, Patrick Lundblum 2, Garret Lyons, Josh Prinzel 2, Jonny Wall
Team LOB: 5 Fielding E: Patrick Lundblum, Ryan Peterson
| Pitching | IP | #P | S% | H | R | ER | SO | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Mattfield | 3.0 | 39 | .744 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Tim Blackman | 1.1 | 45 | .622 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Ryan Long | 0.2 | 14 | .714 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kade Abrisz | 2.0 | 24 | .583 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Gavin Spencer | 1.0 | 31 | .645 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Totals | 8.0 | 153 | .660 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
Pitching HBP: Kade Abrisz, Nick Mattfield
BK: Ryan Long
Pitches-Strikes: Kade Abrisz 24-14, Tim Blackman 45-28, Ryan Long 14-10, Nick Mattfield 39-29, Gavin Spencer 31-20
Groundouts-Flyouts: Kade Abrisz 1-4, Tim Blackman 0-3, Ryan Long 2-0, Nick Mattfield 1-3, Gavin Spencer 1-1
First pitch strikes-Batters faced: Kade Abrisz 4-7, Tim Blackman 3-10, Ryan Long 3-4, Nick Mattfield 8-12, Gavin Spencer 2-7
| Pitching | IP | #P | S% | H | R | ER | SO | BB | HR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gardner Meeks | 5.0 | 73 | .671 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Ian Barrett | 1.0 | 16 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Justin Brown | 2.0 | 22 | .636 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| John Horton | 1.0 | 18 | .667 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Totals | 9.0 | 129 | .643 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 0 |
Pitching HBP: Gardner Meeks
Pitches-Strikes: Ian Barrett 16-8, Justin Brown 22-14, John Horton 18-12, Gardner Meeks 73-49
Groundouts-Flyouts: Ian Barrett 1-0, Justin Brown 2-3, John Horton 1-0, Gardner Meeks 3-4
First pitch strikes-Batters faced: Ian Barrett 2-5, Justin Brown 3-7, John Horton 2-4, Gardner Meeks 10-21
