The D2 Baseball Podcast

We have officially started our 2025-26 Coaching Changes Series with our first episode, talking with Pittsburg State Head Coach Brock Buckingham!

Buckingham officially got the job on May 27, 2025 to lead the program after Bob Fornelli retired.

Buckingham becomes the sixth head coach in program history.

Buckingham spent 17 seasons as an assistant coach for Cowley Community College where he was a part of 12 40+ win seasons and five World Series Appearances!

Learn about his vision for the program, what "Damage Chaos" means, and the value of effort under Coach Buckingham's tutelage.

Tune in as we talk to Montevallo left-handed pitcher Adiel Melendez, who was signed by the Atlanta Braves after the Draft!

Melendez, who was named to the First-Team All-Conference, had a phenomenal year with a 10-5 record and a 2.38 ERA. Over 98.1 innings, he recorded 102 strikeouts, which was the most in the Gulf South Conference and ranked 18th in Division II. He was one of only three pitchers in his program's history to strike out 100 or more batters in a season and one of five to record 10 or more wins.

His performance was marked by consistency and clutch outings. Melendez had 12 starts where he pitched six or more innings, seven starts where he allowed one or fewer earned runs, and 13 starts with five or more strikeouts. He earned GSC Pitcher of the Week and NCBWA South Region Pitcher of the Week honors after a win against No. 1 Tampa, where he went 6.1 innings, striking out five and allowing just one earned run. He also had a dominant outing against Valdosta State, striking out a career-high 10 batters over 7.1 innings. Melendez's heroic efforts in the GSC Tournament, where he was named to the All-Tournament team, included a nine-strikeout performance on two days' rest to pitch the Falcons into the championship game. His impressive collegiate career has made him an attractive prospect as he begins his professional journey.

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In our continuing episode of our D2 draft pick series, here's our interview with Central Missouri RHP Nathan Hall, who was selected in the 6th round by the New York Mets!Hall's story is one of recent transformations, having converted from a catcher to a pitcher, a move that appears to be paying dividends despite a current setback.Hall's potential truly shined in his 2025 season at Central Missouri. Though limited to just 14.2 innings across 4 starts, he showcased a tantalizing arsenal, highlighted by a fastball that consistently sat in the mid-to-upper 90s. This velocity, combined with a sharp 3.07 ERA during that stretch, demonstrates the significant upside the Mets are clearly banking on. In those 14.2 innings, he recorded 19 strikeouts, further showcasing his swing-and-miss stuff.Currently rehabbing from an injury, Hall represents a high-ceiling prospect for the Mets, who are undoubtedly optimistic about his future once fully healthy. His selection also adds another name to Central Missouri's proud baseball history, as he becomes the 38th draft pick in the school's storied program and one of three taken in this draft (most in the State of Missouri). Hall is also the highest draft pick since 2005 (Josh Webber - 2nd round) and third highest overall in Central Missouri program history.

In our 2nd episode of the draft pick series, we chat with Ashland RHP Hunter Allen, who was selected in the 7th round by the Baltimore Orioles!

Allen brings an electric arm to the Orioles' organization, known for his elite velocity that regularly hits the upper 90s and has even touched 100 mph.Allen put together a dominant 2025 season for the Ashland Eagles, showcasing both his power and control. He compiled an impressive 7-1 record with a 3.96 ERA over 61.1 innings pitched. His ability to generate swings and misses was evident, as he punched out 84 batters while limiting opposing hitters to a .213 batting average against. He made 12 appearances, all of which were starts, and even tossed a complete game shutout, further highlighting his durability and effectiveness.Allen becomes the third-highest Eagle chosen all-time in the MLB Draft, and the ninth overall pick in program history.

Sit down with us as we talk to Central Missouri RHP JD McReynolds, who was selected in the 10th round by the Texas Rangers.This past season, McReynolds was virtually unhittable, going an undefeated 8-0 with a miniscule 1.41 ERA over 57.1 innings of work. He displayed exceptional strikeout ability, fanning 95 batters while allowing opposing hitters to a paltry .152 batting average against. Throughout his illustrious career at Central Missouri, McReynolds was a true workhorse, making 73 appearances and amassing a remarkable 21-2 record with 14 saves and an outstanding 1.78 ERA. In 121.1 career innings, he surrendered just 24 earned runs on 63 hits, while piling up 200 strikeouts against only 56 walks.McReynolds, a four-time All-American, features a low 90s fastball complemented by a standout changeup and a sharp slider, giving him a formidable three-pitch mix.

The D2 Baseball Podcast welcomes Maryville head coach Pat Evers, now in his 7th season at the helm, to break down the Saints’ remarkable turnaround. After a slow start to the season, Maryville has caught fire—rattling off nine straight wins to climb to 22-15 overall and 14-6 in GLVC play. Coach Evers shares insight into the belief that never wavered within the team and coaching staff, the adjustments that sparked their win streak, and the players and assistants stepping up in a big way. A deep dive into a surging squad that’s making serious noise in the Midwest.

Regis is rolling — and head coach Pat Jolley joins the D2 Baseball Podcast to break down how his squad is quickly becoming a force in the RMAC and across Division II. In just his second year at the helm, Jolley has the Rangers sitting at 27-11, with a nine-game win streak, and leading the nation in runs per game (11.2). We talk about how Regis has transformed into a national contender, the upcoming showdown with Colorado Mesa for first place, and the explosive offense powered by Player of the Year frontrunner Adam Paniagua, who’s putting up video game numbers. A must-listen conversation with one of the hottest coaches in D2 Baseball.

Matt Wilson, Commissioner of the Gulf South Conference, joins the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the current landscape and future direction of DII athletics. We dive into regional rankings, the broadcast evolution within the GSC, how the conference tournament is shaped, and the ripple effects of realignment across the country.Wilson also shares insights from his decade at the Atlantic Sun Conference, where he played a key role in elevating broadcast standards and expanding championship coverage. With over 15 years in sports administration, Wilson’s experience offers a valuable perspective on what makes a conference thrive in today’s college athletics environment.Plus, we touch on the GSC’s identity, success stories, and how the league is positioning itself amid broader NCAA changes.

This week on the D2 Baseball podcast, we chat with 4th-year head coach Mike Vucsko of the Lewis Flyers. After sweeping then-No. 16 Davenport, the Flyers are now nationally ranked with a 25-7 record and sit at 14-2 in the GLVC. They're making a strong case for their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2013. Coach Vuscko talks about the team's success, the key players driving it, and their push for a postseason berth in the middle of a thrilling season.Want to see this content early and more content like this that premium and exclusive? Join our Patreon: patreon.com/diviibaseball for just $5 a month. Help us support D2 Baseball.

What a turnaround. In just one season, Rick O’Dette has taken Florida Southern from an 18-30 team in 2023 to a 24-7 powerhouse, fresh off a series win over then-No. 1 Tampa. Now ranked No. 4 in our D2 Baseball rankings, the Mocs are putting up elite numbers—8.5 runs per game, 4.16 ERA, and a top-2 national ranking in stolen bases per game.We sit down with Coach O’Dette to break down how he’s built this winning culture, his journey through 24 years of D2 coaching, and what’s next for Florida Southern.🔥 What’s driving this turnaround? 🔥 How does O’Dette develop high-level talent? 🔥 What’s the mindset going into the second half of the season?