High draft picks, all-conference stars and plenty of victories have been part of the Charleston baseball program over the past few years.

One thing that hasn’t been around in that same timeframe? An NCAA Regional appearance.

• Subscribe To FloBaseball To Watch Charleston Baseball In 2024
  
• 2024 MLB Draft Prospect Top 100 Composite List

The Coastal Athletic Association sent two teams to the NCAA Tournament in 2023, but neither one was Charleston—a stinging fact for a school that has made the Super Regional round twice in less than 20 years.

But the Cougars, even with the CAA’s other heavy hitters, such as Northeastern, UNC Wilmington and newcomer Campbell, have plenty of tricks up their sleeve, and no one is going to have an easy time taking them down this season.

Here’s all you need to know about Charleston baseball ahead of the 2024 season.

How Did Charleston Baseball Do In 2023?

Charleston had another strong season for what quickly is becoming one of the most consistently strong mid-major programs in college baseball. Charleston went into the 2023 season with a couple of goals—namely, defending its CAA regular-season title and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years. 

And while the Cougars were beaten to the punch in their repeat bid and finished fourth (also missing out on the NCAA Tournament in the process), Charleston had another a 36-win campaign, their fourth time reaching that number in the past five full seasons. 

Wins over the NCAA Tournament’s eventual No. 10 national seed in Coastal Carolina and a then-No. 14 Virginia Tech on Opening Day were some of the highlights for the Cougars, who had the CAA Pitcher of the Year (right-hander Ty Good) and one of the most entertaining players in college baseball (two-way star Cole Mathis) to make them a tough squad to beat. 

Who Coaches Charleston Baseball?

Chad Holbrook was hired at Charleston ahead of the 2018 season. He has won a league title and CAA Coach of the Year award since taking over, and the program seeks a long-wanted return to the regional round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Has Charleston Baseball Ever Won The College World Series?

No, Charleston baseball has never won the College World Series, though it has been within one round of the CWS twice (2006 and 2014), with a pair of Super Regional appearances. 

All seven of the Cougars’ NCAA Tournament appearances—the last of which came in 2015—have come in the past 20 years. 

Notable Returning Players

Cole Mathis, RHP/INF

If you’re reading this, odds are you know about Shohei Ohtani and his two-way superstardom in the majors. Meet the CAA’s version. 

It’s a rarity to see a player lead his team in both batting average and ERA, but that’s exactly what Cole Mathis did during his superb sophomore season a year ago by going .330 and 3.45, respectively, as he was named a NCBWA second-team All-American for his efforts at the plate and on the mound. 

He’s earned his way onto professional scouts’ radars, too, after being named one of the Top 100 prospects for his potential in both facets of his game and his great outings at Charleston. In the esteemed Cape Cod League over the summer, he finished second in the league with 11 home runs. 

Trotter Harlan, UTL

A two-time All-CAA second-team selection and a consistent figure in the Cougars’ lineup for three seasons, Trotter Harlan will enter the year on a 29-game on-base streak and coming off a career year at Charleston. 

Setting single-season bests in hits, home runs, RBIs and stolen bases, his 10 home runs, 51 RBIs and 17 steals all were team-bests.

Harlan spent the summer in the Cape Cod League for the second straight offseason, further confirming his dependability and ability to produce in the batter’s box. 

His biggest knock a year ago was that he was a bit of a slow starter—he was batting a measly .228 in mid-April, before a team-best 12-game hitting streak happened, which got him back on track and in the zone for yet another all-league campaign. 

Notable Newcomers

Avery Neaves, OF

With postseason success being a major goal for Charleston, it makes sense that the Cougars went after a player like Avery Neaves, who knows all about how to get it done in the postseason. 

While playing at Division III Lynchburg from 2021-2023, Neaves was the man—the two-time first-team All-American led the Hornets to the Division III national championship last season, setting career records for home runs and walks, while slashing .360/.513/.673 across his time there, being the driving force behind Lynchburg’s first national title. 

Kevin Madden, INF

A well-traveled player who has played a combined five seasons for Virginia Tech and South Carolina, Kevin Madden has seen, and played against some of the best of the best in college baseball.

Primarily a third baseman, Madden’s career slash line of .284/.338/.408 with 17 homers and 104 total RBIs is nothing to cast aside, but it’s especially impressive considering that the Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference are among the toughest college baseball leagues in the country. 

College Of Charleston Baseball Schedule 2024

All times Eastern

2024 Charleston Baseball Roster 

How To Watch CAA Baseball in 2024

Watch CAA Baseball in 2024 on FloBaseball and the FloSports app.

FloBaseball will be streaming several season-opening college baseball tournaments, including the Shriners Children's College Showdown, Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic and the Kubota College Baseball Series.

Join The College Baseball Conversation On Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloBaseball
• Follow us on Instagram @FloBaseball
• Follow us on TikTok @FloBaseball
• Like us on Facebook