Lander University

Hailey Franklin

Baseball 10/28/2025 11:26:00 AM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

Baseball Announces Coaching Staff Restructuring

GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Peach Belt Conference champion Lander baseball program has announced several staff updates ahead of the 2025-26 season.

Nick Popp has been promoted to Associate Head Coach following an impressive start to his tenure in Greenwood. Entering his third season, Popp has helped guide the Bearcats to back-to-back regular season conference championships, a conference tournament title, and a regional appearance in 2025.

Alex Moore will continue in his role as Pitching Coach while adding Recruiting Coordinator to his responsibilities. Over the past three seasons, Moore has played a key role in the program's growth, with the Bearcats improving their win total each year. Lander's pitching staff anchored the historic 2025 campaign, leading the conference in strikeouts and opponent batting average while ranking among the top three in ERA. Following the team's regional run, pitchers Richie Cortese and Tyler Bowen were selected in the MLB Draft — the first Bearcats to be drafted since Moore and Ryan Troutman.

The Bearcats have also added Jack Thomas as Director of Player Development. A former standout at the College of Charleston, Thomas transitioned into coaching as a graduate assistant and data analyst for the Cougars. His background in data-driven training and analytics will be instrumental in advancing player development and scouting efforts within the program.

"I'm really excited to now have two alumni on staff that played together here in Mike and Alex," said head coach Jason Burke. "Mike has an incredible understanding of our program and has already run his own offense at Mars Hill. He'll add to what Coach Popp has built over the last two years on that side of the ball. Alex has already had a huge hand in our recruiting efforts and has absolutely earned the title of Recruiting Coordinator. Adding Jack gives us another avenue to continue to improve as a program. Coach Popp has been phenomenal in his two years here and will take on even more head coaching duties in his day-to-day. I'm super excited to see what this 2025-26 roster can do."

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Players Mentioned

#38 Tyler Bowen: RHP; 6' 0"; Senior

#44 Richie Cortese: RHP; 6' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#38 Tyler Bowen
: 6' 0"; Senior
: RHP

#44 Richie Cortese
: 6' 6"; Senior
: RHP

Players Mentioned

#38 Tyler Bowen

#44 Richie Cortese

Players Mentioned

#38 Tyler Bowen

#44 Richie Cortese