5 more Bulldogs headed to Next Level

PERKINSTON — Five Mississippi Gulf Coast players have signed to continue their college baseball careers at NCAA schools.

Pitcher Luke Reed (So., Louisville Ky./Holy Cross), two-way player Jesse Johnson (So., Purvis/Purvis), two-way player Preston Ratliff (So., Slidell La./Northshore) and pitcher Matthew DeLano (So., Biloxi/Biloxi) are headed to Division I schools, while infielder Brendan McCauley (So., Gulfport/Harrison Central) is headed to a Division II power upon completion of their time at Gulf Coast.

"I'm very, very excited and happy for these young men who are able to reach their goals and dreams of being able to go on to the next level," new Gulf Coast coach Bob Keller said. "It's a real testament to our program, and it's what we're all about. It's about creating a culture where we can win at the highest level."

LUKE REED, EASTERN KENTUCKY

Reed is headed back to his home state to keep playing college ball. The Colonels play in the ASUN Conference. The 6-foot-2 right-hander is new to the Bulldogs roster. Keller saw him in the summer college league he worked in last year.

"He had several offers," Keller said. "We were able to get Luke out of the Appalachian League, which meant a lot to us. He's going to a really good program with a friend of mine in Coach Chris Prothro. He should be in the mix for a starting position in their rotation." 

JESSE JOHNSON, EASTERN KENTUCKY

Johnson is another talented transfer to Gulf Coast. He's a two-way player here, and he'll likely concentrate on infield at the next level, also with EKU.

"We look to Jesse to hit in the middle of our lineup and be on the left side of the infield," Keller said. "We're super excited about that. He drew a lot of interest, as well."

PRESTON RATLIFF, NICHOLLS STATE

Also a transfer, Ratliff will join NSU in the Southland Conference. He'll probably see similar duty in Thibodaux, La.

"He'll get an opportunity to do what he's doing here, be a two-way guy," Keller said. "He's gonna pitch for us, most likely in the starting role, and spend some time in the outfield. When you're a physical specimen like he is, that opens up some opportunities for you. His dedication in the weight room and what he does away from the field speak volumes for his commitment."

MATTHEW DELANO, SOUTH ALABAMA

A reliever at Gulf Coast the past two years, Delano may see time as a starter this year. He's appeared in 15 games at Gulf Coast, striking out 31 batters in 24.2 innings. He's seen elevated fastball velocity since the new coaching staff arrived. He'll take that added speed to play for the Jaguars in the Sun Belt Conference.

"He's going to a very good coaching staff at South Alabama," Keller said. "He'll have the ability to play for Coach (Mark) Calvi and Coach (Brad) Phillips, who has done a real nice job with the pitchers. His work ethic has paved the way for him to go on to South Alabama."

BRENDAN MCCAULEY, DELTA STATE 

McCauley batted .250 with four doubles and nine RBI as a freshman in 2021. He manned second base for the Bulldogs last year, and he's expected to do the same playing for Rodney Batts, the coach who recruited him at Perk. The Statesmen play in the Gulf South Conference.

"That was an easy choice for him, to get reunited with Coach Batts at Delta State," Keller said. "I think they have the academics he's looking for."

The five players who are headed to the Next Level have taken care of business with the books, too. That's opened the doors for these opportunities.

"They all had a really good semester in the classroom, and they all worked really hard," Keller said. "We want to make sure we're taking that whole circle of development and hitting on all cylinders, not just on the field. I'm really super proud of these guys."

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