PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — Maryland Eastern Shore completed its baseball coaching staff selections with the additions of Ryan West and Chris O’Neill. West arrives in Princess Anne to take over the reigns as pitching coach and O’Neill comes as an assistant coach.
“I am excited to add Ryan and Chris to our staff.” Hawks first year head coach Charlie Goens said. “These two young men bring a great deal of knowledge to this program and come highly recommended from guys that I know and trust in this profession.”
West comes to Hawk Nation after a stint at the University of South Carolina at Salkehatchie, where he worked as an associate head coach and pitching coach. As pitching coach, he helped the staff develop better overall performance metrics, including the “Arm Care” program – which resulted in no arm related injuries during his tenure.
Other impressive results include a new record in strikeouts per nine innings at Salkehatchie, with significant improvements in total strikeouts, batting average against opponents, hits per nine, saves and earned run average.
In addition to his work with the pitcher, West assisted in the strength and conditioning program for the entire baseball team.
West also enjoyed a stellar collegiate career pitching for the College of Charleston Cougars in South Carolina. In two seasons with the Cougars, West pitched in 37 games, starting 18 of them, logging an ERA of 4.23 over 127 and 2/3 innings pitched. He also added 124 strikeouts to his credit across his career, opposed to just 39 walks.
Highlights of his career at Charleston include his start of a near-perfect game against Jacksonville during his junior year and a 10-strikeout shutout effort against Furman as a senior.
Before pitching for the Cougars, West pitched at Louisburg Junior College in North Carolina. He appeared in 12 games, posting a 5-3 record and averaged almost one strikeout per nine innings with 54 punch outs in 56 1/3 innings pitched.
The native of Glen Allen, Virginia graduated from College of Charleston with a degree in studio art.
“Ryan has already had a positive impact to our pitchers and they are seeing improvements daily.” Goens said.
O’Neill spent the last two baseball seasons in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Concordia University, where he served as the team’s hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. Over the course of his tenure the Cardinals steadily improved offensively, raising their average from .254 to .275 while increasing their totals in extra base hits, RBI’s, total bases, on-base percentage and stolen bases. By the end of his time in Michigan, Concordia averaged 4.8 runs per game and secured a 31-24 record.
Prior to his time in Michigan, O’Neill coached at Tarboro High School in North Carolina for two years. An assistant his first year, he took the reins as a head coach in 2014. In his one season at the helm, the Vikings went 13-9 (8-2 in conference), and hosted a home playoff game for the first time in several years. Three of his players earned All-Area accolades during the season as well.
O’Neill has also coached two summer college baseball teams – the Murrells Inlet Longboards of the Beach Collegiate Baseball League and the Grand Lake Mariners of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League.
A native of Mifflinville, Pennsylvania, O’Neill graduated from King’s College with a degree in education in 2012. Upon graduation, he helped coach at his alma mater.
The duo adds depth to a staff that already includes Goens and associate head coach John O’Neil, who enters his sixth season on The Shore.
“Chris will be working with our hitters, while also developing our outfielders and base runners and coaching first base. John will continue to work with the infielders, hitters and coach third base.” Goens said.
The Hawks open the season on Feb. 17 in Macon, Georgia against Mercer.