Baseball 1/8/2026 11:15:00 AM Turner Kirby - Director of Athletic Communications

Burke Steps Down as Head Baseball Coach

GREENWOOD – Lander Head Baseball Coach Jason Burke announced Thursday that he will be stepping down from his role at the helm of the Bearcat program to pursue an opportunity in professional scouting with the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB).

The 2024 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Coach of the Year led the Lander baseball program for nine seasons after taking over in 2017, compiling 216 career wins. Burke guided the Bearcats to a 43-win campaign in 2025, the third-most wins in a single season in program history.

Under Burke's leadership, Lander captured its first PBC regular-season championship since 2014 during the 2024 season. The Bearcats followed that performance with a historic 2025 campaign, claiming both a share of the regular-season title and the program's first PBC Tournament championship since 2014. Lander swept through the tournament bracket and championship series, outscoring opponents 43-15 across five games to earn the program's first NCAA Tournament berth since 2016 and the fourth in program history.

The Bearcats recorded their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2016 with a 13-8 win over Young Harris on May 16, 2025.

"I want to thank Coach Burke for his service and commitment to Lander Athletics over the past nine seasons," said Lander Athletics Director Brian Reese. "The impact he has made both on and off the field, not only within the baseball program but across the entire department, is unmatched. If you ask anyone about how Coach Burke runs his program and the type of leader he is, you will hear nothing but praise. I am confident that same leadership will lead to great success as he takes this next step with the Washington Nationals. We wish him, his wife Ansley, and their son Sullivan all the best."

Burke coached five MLB Draft picks during his tenure, including 2025 selections Tyler Bowen and Richie Cortese, who were both drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies. He also mentored 21 All-PBC performers, including 2022 PBC Freshman of the Year Connor Droze and 2024 PBC Player of the Year Ethan Wilder. Droze became the first player since 2001 to earn All-PBC honors in all four seasons of his career. In 2025, Grant Sherrod was named an All-American, becoming the program's first since 2016.

"Leaving Lander was an extremely difficult decision for myself and my family," said Burke. "I truly love the coaches and players here, along with all of the student-athletes who played for me during my nine and a half years leading the program. Lander and this baseball program mean a great deal to me, as someone who played here. Being the first alumnus of the program to serve as head coach was something I embraced wholeheartedly.

"I want to thank Kevin Pederson and the search committee for the opportunity to lead this program, and I am grateful to Brian Reese for his belief in me during the early years of my head coaching career. He gave me the time and support needed to build this program into what it is today, and I will always be thankful for that. I will forever be a Bearcat, and Lander will always hold a special place in my heart.

"Thank you to our alumni, donors, support staff, administration, and fans, and most importantly to the players who gave everything they had to my coaching staff and me. You made, and continue to make, this place special. Continue to bleed blue and gold and hold the standard high."

Off the field, Burke's teams consistently excelled academically. Lander earned the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Team Academic Excellence Award in 2022, 2024, and 2025. In 2019, the program produced its first CSC (then CoSIDA) Academic All-Americans in Marshall Thompson and Roury Glanton.

Additionally, three players coached by Burke earned Lander Athletics' Dr. Boyce M. Grier Award, presented annually to the student-athlete who best exemplifies sportsmanship, integrity, pride in the University, and a positive attitude: Reed Grey (2017), Jackson Bryant (2024), and Luke Johnson (2025).

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Players Mentioned

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

#34 Jackson Bryant: LHP; 6' 2"; Graduate Student

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

#30 Connor Droze: 1B/OF; 6' 1"; Senior

#36 Luke Johnson: RHP; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

#35 Grant Sherrod: 1B/OF; 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

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

#34 Jackson Bryant
: 6' 2"; Graduate Student
: LHP

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

#30 Connor Droze
: 6' 1"; Senior
: 1B/OF

#36 Luke Johnson
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: RHP

#35 Grant Sherrod
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Senior
: 1B/OF