Baseball Inks Eight For 2026-27

WILMINGTON, N.C. – UNCW head baseball coach Randy Hood has announced the signings of eight student-athletes to play for the Seahawks beginning in the 2026-27 academic year.

Joining the program will be Tucker Anderson, Cole Blevins, Camden Croom, Ben Drinkwine, Cassius Grimsley, Cason McGinnis, Nolan Stark and Austin Patterson.

"What a great group to add to the Seahawk Baseball family," said Hood, who is in his seventh season as head coach. "When I look at these guys, I see great qualities that we desire … high character, being athletic and physical, coachable with great work ethics, and winners. Three left-handed bats to help continue give us the balance you need from both sides of the plate. Three quality arms with big upsides. Two middle infielders that can really pick it and hit and two outfielders who I think will be middle-of-the-order type bats during their careers. I want to thank our assistant coaches (Chris Moore, Kelly Secrest, Josh Stott, and Taber Mongero) for all they do to help in our recruiting."

Anderson went 6-0 on the mound last season for DH Conley High School, leading the Vikings to the fourth round of the North Carolina 7A State tournament. In 42 innings, he struck out 73, walked 15 and fashioned a 0.67 ERA. Following his junior season, he was tabbed All-Conference and All-Region.

Blevins carries a batting average of .415 into his senior season at West Rowan High School. As a junior he compiled a career-best .456 average with six home runs and capped that season with both All-Conference and All-State honors. As a three-time All-Conference selection, Blevins has helped the Falcons to back-to-back conference championships.

Croom is a name familiar with Seahawk fans after his brother Jac played from the program from 2020-23 and helping the program to a Coastal Athletic Association title in 2023. Camden, who is coached by former UNCW standout Justin Wishon at New Hanover High School, hit .419 as a junior for the Wildcats and earned both All-Coastal Carolinas Conference and All-State honors.

Drinkwine is a two-time All-Region pick for Lightridge High School. As a junior, hit. 421 while playing the outfield.

Grimsley, who enters his fourth season playing varsity baseball, hit a school-record .567 and posted a 0.59 earned run average for Fuquay-Varina on his way to earning All-Greater Neuse River Conference and All-State honors. Grimsley is a two-time Academic All-Conference honoree.

McGinnis, who was honored as the 3A Championship Tournament MVP in 2025, is a speedy infielder who batted .389 as a junior at North Lincoln while swiping 21 bases. In three seasons with the Knights, he's posted 49 stolen bases and hit .383. As a sophomore, he paced the Knights with a .406 average. Last spring, he tossed a complete game shutout against JH Rose in the state championship.

Patterson is a righthander at Rockingham Community College who struck out 23 in 22.1 innings as a freshman for the Eagles. At North Moore High School, he was a two-time All-Conference selection for the Mustangs. As a senior, he struck out 29 batters in 18.1 innings.

Stark, an infielder who hails from Oneonta, N.Y., hit .456 as a junior for Oneonta High School and drew 34 walks. He knocked in 34 runs and scored 41 for the Yellowjackets and earned first-team All-New York State honors. He is a four-time All-Conference selection.

Name	Pos.	Ht / Wt	B/T	Hometown / Previous School
Tucker Anderson	RHP	6-0 / 200	R/R	Grimesland, N.C. / DH Conley
Cole Blevins	OF	6-2 / 190	L/R	Salisbury, N.C. / West Rowan
Camden Croom	RHP/Util	6-4 / 208	L/R	Wilmington, N.C. / New Hanover
Ben Drinkwine	OF	6-3 / 220	R/R	Aldie, Va. / Lightridge
Cassius Grimsley	RHP/OF	6-2 / 190	R/R	Fuquay-Varina, N.C. / Fuquay-Varina
Cason McGinnis	INF	5-10 / 160	R/R	Denver, N.C. / North Lincoln
Nolan Stark	INF	6-0 / 160	L/R	Oneonta, N.Y. / Oneonta
Austin Patterson	RHP	6-3 / 180	R/R	Carthage, N.C. / Rockingham CC

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Baseball Inks Eight For 2026-27