The Wilson Post
LEBANON WEATHER

CU BASEBALL — Hunt making changes





Kevin Hite and Chris Schrock

Kevin Hite and Chris Schrock

Longtime assistant coaches let go —

Calling it the most difficult decision he’s made in his lengthy career, Cumberland baseball coach Woody Hunt has decided to cut ties with longtime assistant coaches Kevin Hite and Chris Schrock.

“We needed a change,” Coach Hunt said, “I had to do what I thought was best for the program going forward.

“These decisions are tough to make because good people are involved.

“I want to thank Kevin and ‘Jocko’ for their service to the program as players and coaches. “They’ve been a part of some really good teams. I haven’t done this to hurt anyone, but I needed to make some changes.”

Cumberland wrapped up the 2018 season with a record of 36-21 after going 2-2 in the NAIA Opening Round in Upland, Ind.

The Phoenix went 10-7 in the Mid-South Conference.

Hite just finished his 14th season at Cumberland, having served as pitching coach since 2006.

The Nashville McGavock product began his coaching career at CU as a volunteer assistant while playing in the San Diego Padres organization and was part of the staff for an entire season in 2001.

He then worked four years at Nashville’s Trevecca Nazarene before returning to Cumberland as the pitching coach in 2006.

During his tenure at CU, five pitchers have earned All-America honors, including Robert Clayton (2007), Shawn Schaefer (2010), Aaron Wilkerson (2010 & 2011), Will Locante (2011) and Anthony Gomez (2013).

Hite is the most decorated pitcher in Cumberland history, earning First Team All-America honors as a senior in 1996.

He still holds three NAIA World Series records – most shutouts in a series (two in 1995), lowest ERA in a Series (0.00 in 1995) and fewest earned runs allowed (0 in 21.1 innings in 1995).

Schrock just completed his eighth season as a coach at his alma mater and his third as a full-time assistant.

The former infielder played for Hunt from 1995-99 and on Cumberland’s 1995 NAIA World Series runner-up team and later signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays.

In 2000, he led the South Atlantic League lead in hitting (.400) for the month of July. Schrock was teammates in the minors with Major Leaguers Carl Crawford and Josh Hamilton.

In high school, Schrock was a member of back-to-back state championship teams, including one that finished the year ranked No. 1 in the nation by Baseball America.

As a coach, the former CU team captain has been an assistant at Sarasota [FL] Christian School and Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, Fla.

He also served as head coach at Mt. Juliet Christian Academy from 2014-15.

Hunt is expected to hire a new pitching coach within the next few weeks.

Coach Hunt at a glance – 

Coach Hunt completed his 37th season as head coach and 39th year with the program in 2018.

The Phoenix have won three NAIA national championships (2004, 2010, 2014) as well as two runner-up finishes (1995, 2006) during his tenure at CU.

He has amassed a 1,565-716-5 overall record following the 2018 campaign, including 1,504-690-5 as a four-year institution.

Hunt has also achieved individual success in the awards category, claiming 17 Coach of the Year honors, including the 2006 and 2010 Rawlings National Coach of the Year awards.

He is a seven-time Southeast Region Coach of the Year and has also been a finalist for the National Coach of the Year Award four times.

CU camps on tap – 

Cumberland baseball will offer an all-day fundamental camp for boys ages 10-13 Monday, June 11 thru Thursday, June 14 at Ernest L. Stockton Field – Woody Hunt Stadium.

Camp sessions are set for 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. daily and include lunch.

Cost is $190 per camper. For more details, visit www.cumberlandbaseballcamps.com.

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