Baseball Welcomes 2026-27 Signing Class

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Baseball welcomes its 2026-27 signing class for the program's second season under Alex Raburn.

"We're really excited about the 14 players joining our program," said Raburn. "This class is a reflection of the type of student-athletes we want at UNC Asheville - guys who are talented, competitive, tough and committed to getting better every day. We believe this group has the ability to make an immediate impact on the field with their talent, athleticism and competitive drive and we're excited to see how they continue to develop within our program. Just as importantly, we're bringing in guys who understand the value of being great teammates and being part of something bigger than themselves. Building a strong culture starts with bringing in the right people, and we believe this class fits what we're working to build here. We look forward to watching them grow, compete and make their mark as Bulldogs."

Jackson Marshall | Outfielder | Montgomery, Texas | Lake Creek HS

Marshall was a unanimous First Team All-District selection, while also being named a TSWA All-State Third Team selection. He was named to the All-Greater Houston Area Second Team as an outfielder, while also holding the Lake Creek High School record for runs scored in a single season. Marshall ran the second-fastest 60-yard dash nationally in the 2026 class with a time of 6.10.

Josh Jackson | Utility | Rock Hill, S.C. | USC Union

Jackson comes to Asheville from USC Union, where he was the 2026 Male Athlete of the Year and also earned academic honors in both 2025 and 2026. Jackson hit .340 with 35 stolen bases at USC Union.

Chase Perry | Infielder | Mt. Airy, Md. | Linganore HS

Perry was a First Team All-Region selection, and a First Team All-CMC at Linganore High School.

Luke Craddock | First Base | Warrenton, Va. | East Carolina

Craddock comes to Asheville after a season at East Carolina. He earned the 2026 Weight Room Warrior Award.

Alex Kean | First Base | Woodstock, Ontario, Canada | Morehead State

Kean comes to Asheville after three seasons at Morehead State. Academically, he was named to the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll in 2023. This past spring, he was inducted into St. Mary's Catholic High School's Hall of Fame. He was a 2026 Perfect Game Preseason All-Conference selection as a utility player, while also being named a PGCBL All-Star in 2025. In his career at Morehead State, he hit .291 with 18 home runs.

AJ Miera | Right-Handed Pitcher | Roanoke, Texas | Weatherford College

Miera joins the Bulldogs from Weatherford College, where he was a First Team All-Conference selection as well as earning Pitcher of the Week honors.

Jack Davis | Right-Handed Pitcher | LaGrangeville, N.Y. | Southern New Hampshire University

Davis comes to Asheville from Division II Southern New Hampshire University, where he was a First Team All-Conference selection, a First Team All-Region selection and a Third Team All-American in 2026. On Apr. 6 he was named the Northeast 10 Pitcher of the Week and on Apr. 9, 2026 he was named the regional Pitcher of the Week. In 2026 Davis threw 62.2 innings with a 2.15 earned run average.

Cole Lanford | Left-Handed Pitcher | Raleigh, N.C. | Old Dominion

Lanford comes to Asheville after two seasons at Old Dominion. Lanford threw 31.1 innings with 30 strikeouts in 2026 at ODU. He was a two-time selection for the Future Star Series main event at Fenway Park, while also being a Prospect Wire All-American in 2022.

Eric Santaella | Right-Handed Pitcher | Poughkeepsie, N.Y. | Pace University

Santaella comes from Division II Pace University where he was the Rookie Pitcher of the Year and named to the All-Rookie Team as well as being named First Team All-Conference in the Northeast 10. He was also a Second Team All-Region selection. Santaella threw 65.0 innings at Pace in 2026 with a 2.77 earned run average.

Hugh Collins | Left-Handed Pitcher | Clayton, N.C. | North Carolina/Pitt CC

Collins comes to Asheville from UNC Chapel Hill after a stop at Pitt Community College. He was a 2025 Second Team All-Region X selection as well as an East Region First Team selection. In 2023 he was a North Carolina First Team All-State selection as well as an All-Conference selection.

Tate Nelson | Right-Handed Pitcher | Wilmington, N.C. | New Hanover HS

In his senior year at New Hanover High School, Nelson threw 15.0 innings with 32 strikeouts and six walks.

Sean Kinzeler | Right-Handed Pitcher | Coatesville, Pa. | Coatesville HS

Kinzeler was the Daily Local Player of the Year at Coatesville High School in 2026, while also being named an All-Area selection in 2026. He was also an All-Chesmont selection in 2025 and 2026.

Cole Munhall | Right-Handed Pitcher | Cumming, Ga. | Tulane/North Greenville

Drake Lee | Left-Handed Pitcher | Clayton, N.C. | Pro 5 Academy

At Pro 5 Academy, Lee posted a 1.56 ERA in 32.0 innings pitched. He ended his senior year with 40 strikeouts, 18 walks and a .164 batting average against.

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

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