Big wins this year included a sweep of eventual Dixie Conference regular season champion Methodist College, and a road split with eventual tournament champion Christopher Newport University—both NCAA Tournament qualifiers.

The about-face was a fine swan song for Pride Head Coach Scott Rash. After starting the program from scratch in 1993, Rash resigned his post to return to Randolph Macon College, his alma mater. Rash closed his nine-year Greensboro College career with a 170-65-4 (.507 winning percentage). 

In May, Assistant Coach Ken Carlyle was promoted to the head coaching job. As GC’s pitching coach in 2001, his staff reduced its earned run average by more than one run from the ’00 club. A professional baseball player in the Detroit Tiger and Atlanta Brave organizations from 1992 to 1999, Carlyle reached the Triple-A level, and was a Double-A All-Star in 1994. 

Carlyle is a business management graduate of the University of Mississippi. He was the Rebels’ all-time leader in pitching victories. Carlyle previously coached at Brevard Community College (1997-98). 

Carlyle inherits a youthful and talented team. Dixie Conference Co-rookie-of-the-Year Donte Miles leads Pride returners. The freshman posted a .367 batting average, was fourth on the team in runs batted in, and second in doubles. Fellow freshman Bob Schutz (five home runs) and sophomore Rick Reineke (.347 batting and a second team All-Dixie pick) lead a group of sluggers for next season.

GC baseball, however, will have to replace four seniors: Mark Bauer, John Williams, Bob Stewart and Cody Mikeal. They provided talent and leadership over the past four years at GC.

Mikeal and Stewart shared the team MVP honors. Mikeal’s .351 batting average was third best on the team; his 28 RBI’s placed him second. Yet the most valuable contribution he made to the team was his defensive versatility. Mikeal spent the majority of his time in the outfield or at  second base. He made only eight errors all season. Against LaGrange College, Mikeal actually played all nine defensive positions, making him the first to accomplish this feat at Greensboro College. 

Stewart—the GC all-time saves and appearances leader—posted a 6-2 record and recorded two saves in 2001. He led the team in wins, saves, innings pitched, earned run average and appearances. Stewart’s 26 strikeouts versus just seven walks, put his walk-to-strikeout ratio among the best to ever pitch at Greensboro College.