MURFREESBORO, N.C. – As the Chowan University baseball program opens the 2026 season on Monday, February 9, the Hawks will look a little different than in years past — and different in a way that best represents a roster reload after graduating more than 20 seniors a year ago. With new leadership at the helm and an influx of fresh faces across the roster, Chowan enters the season focused on growth, creating a baseball culture, and laying the foundation for the future.
Leading the program is Head Coach Bob Smith, who brings an impressive résumé and extensive experience at multiple levels of the game. Smith is joined by assistant coaches Brady Goode and Trey Morgan, both of whom bring deep baseball backgrounds of their own. Goode has coached at various levels of the sport, while Morgan made history during his playing career at Virginia Military Institute. The trio, who joined the program over the summer, will all make their Chowan coaching debuts this season after taking on the significant task of recruiting and reshaping the roster.
The Hawks' 2026 roster features 25 new faces, joined by 15 returning players, for a total of 41 student-athletes. While the group is relatively new, it is anchored by a veteran senior class that has remained committed to the program and will provide leadership during a period of transition.
"We've worked hard to create a culture built on an attitude of excellence," Smith said. "If we focus on being our best every day and committing to the process, the results will take care of themselves."
Veteran Leadership Anchors the Roster
Of the 16 returners on the roster, ten are seniors, many of whom have been with the program throughout their collegiate careers. On the mound, senior right-handers Matthew Lovitt (Richlands, N.C.), Gabriel Espiritu (Gloucester, Va.), Teray Cherry (Greenville, N.C.), and Cody Ives (Elizabeth City, N.C.) are all four-year members of the program and will look to close out their careers by providing experience and stability within the pitching rotation.
Senior Nick Reiss (Wake Forest, N.C.) adds versatility as both a right-handed pitcher and infielder, while Zackary Wilson, a left-handed pitcher from Sorrento, Fla., enters his fourth year with the program. Behind the plate, senior catchers Nicholas Nichols (Potts Camp, Miss.) and Ethan M. Robinson (Tulsa, Okla.) return as three-year members of the team. Senior outfielder Jacob Walker (Durham, N.C.) enters year four as a Hawk, while redshirt senior Dawson Wiggins (Dunn, N.C.) adds another experienced arm to the pitching staff.
Among the underclassmen returners, Josh Tripp, a sophomore right-handed pitcher and infielder from Greenville, N.C., brings experience after appearing in 16 games last season. A year ago, he saw action in 10 games on the mound while also making 16 appearances at shortstop. Redshirt junior Derrick Wade (Bunn, N.C.) returns to the mound after not appearing since the 2023 season, while junior right-hander Landon Tyndall (Deep Run, N.C.) also provides depth after seeing action in nine games in each of the previous two seasons.
In the field, sophomore outfielder Peyton Clay (Nashville, N.C.) returns after appearing in 11 games with three starts last season, while sophomore right-hander Marcus Byrd (Winterville, N.C.) enters his second season with the program. Sophomore infielder Ray Shaw (Greenville, N.C.) also returns for his second season, rounding out the group of returners.
Most of these returning players spent the summer months honing their skills in summer wooden bat leagues across the East Coast, experience that should benefit Smith and the Hawks as lineup decisions are made this spring.
Transfers Add Depth and Versatility
Chowan welcomes a strong group of incoming transfers who add experience, versatility, and depth across the roster. Junior utility player Ty Boze (Atlanta, Ga.) joins the Hawks after competing at Alcorn State University. Senior infielder Colin Gifford (Mechanicsville, Va.) arrives from Virginia Wesleyan University, adding veteran presence to the infield.
The outfield gains experience with John McDonald, a redshirt sophomore from Toronto, Canada, who transfers in from Savannah State University, while senior Ahmaad Goldson (Newport News, Va.) comes to Chowan from Chestnut Hill College and provides a two-way option as an outfielder and left-handed pitcher. The transfer class also includes KJ Durand Jr., a redshirt sophomore infielder from Apopka, Fla., who previously attended Edward Waters University, and Blake Evans (Hickory, N.C.), an outfielder from St. Andrews University. Also joining the transfer group are Aiden Stewart, an infielder who adds depth to the middle of the diamond, and Zach Williams, a right-handed pitcher who bolsters the Hawks' pitching staff. Wrapping up the group of transfers are Ethan Pukas from Palm Beach, Fla., also coming from St. Andrews, and newcomer Jacob Ellenburg from Rutherfordton, N.C., via Gardner-Webb University. Outfielder Maddux Bowles and infielder Hayden Jones, both from Paul D. Camp Community College, will spend the year developing within the program and contributing in a variety of ways as valued members of the team.
Young Talent Joins the Program
The Hawks' roster also features an energetic and diverse first-year class that will contribute to the program's long-term growth. The freshman infield group includes Derrick Davis (Tarboro, N.C.), Coley Drew (Norfolk, Va.), Jacob Howard (Kinston, N.C.), Messiah White (Rocky Mount, N.C.), Bryson Ponsock (Jacksonville, N.C.), Andrew Sessoms (Tarboro, N.C.), and Chester Furmanek, a first baseman from Sussex, Del.
Catching depth is strengthened with Jordan Turner (Ashboro, N.C.) and Landon Carnley (Henrico, Va.), while the outfield welcomes Dean Friedberg (Virginia Beach, Va.). On the mound, the Hawks add several young arms, including right-handers Kelton Taylor (Richmond, Va.) and Tristan Stancil (Raleigh, N.C.), along with Christopher Tankersley, a left-handed pitcher and outfielder from Raleigh, N.C.
With a mix of veteran leadership, experienced transfers, and a sizable first-year class, the Hawks enter the 2026 season focused on establishing identity, building depth, and competing each day as the program continues to move forward under new leadership.
The Season at Hand
The Hawks will open the season with three action-packed series in a row. Leading off the first series, the Hawks will host Shepherd University on February 9th and 10th in a three-game play date. The two teams will face off in a twin bill on Monday, February 9th, followed by a single game on February 10th.
Chowan will open Conference Carolinas play February 13th and 14th when Francis Marion University comes to town for a three-game series at Hawkins Field. On February 20th-21st, the Hawks will heat up a former junior college days rivalry with Ferrum College. The Hawkins Field three-game series will round out the home stand in the month of February. A trip over to the University of Mount Olive over the final weekend in February will round out the Hawks play for February.
March features 13 match ups for the Hawks, including against non-conference opponent Walsh University on March 5th at home. The Hawks will play 14 games in April, all bidding for a chance to play in the Conference Carolinas Championship April 29th-May 2nd.
Fans will have plenty of opportunities to see the Hawks in action at home or on the road. All home games will be broadcast on the Conference Carolinas Digital Network throughout the season.
