The Indians will have to retool the roster after losing some 5 starters from a year ago, but coach Greg McCall does bring back 8 players with significant innings. 2023 will be another tough run for Stephens in 8-AAA, but Stephens County feels like they have a solid group with a desire to work hard.

HEAD COACH: Greg McCall (10th Season)
2022 RECORD: 16-17; 3A State Sweet 16
RETURNING STARTERS: 4
KEY DEPARTURES: Cruz Mullinix (Piedmont University), Garrett Burgess, Carson Worley, Ayden Garmon (Emmanuel), Seth McCollum, Jacob Pruitt
KEY PLAYERS: SR P Nick Randall (UNG commit), SR 3B Ben Stowe (All-Region), JR CF Colby Fowler (All-Region), JR SS Craig Thurmond (Mercer commit)
STRENGTHS: “We have four starters with multiple years experience in the regular season and playoffs/Sweet 16 last year,” says McCall. “We have a strong desire to succeed with great work ethic.”

The Indians will miss Cruz Mullinix (Piedmont University) and Ayden Garmon (Emmanuel College), but the four returning starters, including next-level players Nick Randall and Craig Thurmond, will anchor this team. Thurmond is a Mercer commit and is a 2-year starter, while Randall (UNG commit) is the go-to man on the mound. JR CF Colby Fowler and SR 3B 2-year starter Ben Stowe will be pivotal, as will guys such as Grant Babbitt (LHP), William Roush, Dylan White (IF), and Patrick Murray (DH/RHP).

“We will get better with with each day, gain experience in non-region games while building pitching depth, and have consistent quality at bats going in region schedule,” says McCall.