Catawba Indians Favored to Win SAC Baseball Title

Defending champions picked by league coaches to repeat in 2026 season

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:31pm

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The Catawba Indians have been selected by the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) coaches as the preseason favorite to win the 2026 baseball title. Catawba, which won the regular-season championships in 2024 and 2025, received seven first-place votes and 126 total points in the poll. Lenoir-Rhyne, which reached the national semifinals last year, is picked to finish second with four first-place votes and 122 points.

Why it matters

Catawba is looking to continue its recent dominance in the SAC, having won the regular-season title in back-to-back seasons. The Indians lost several key players from last year's squad, but are expected to remain a top contender in the conference with a mix of returning starters, transfers, and young talent stepping into larger roles.

The details

Despite losing standout pitchers Payne Stolsworth, Austin Fine and Hayden Simmerson, as well as position players Cole Hales, Dylan Driver and James Dunlap, Catawba is poised for another strong season. The Indians are led by preseason All-SAC selections Sam Hunter, Nathan Chrismon, Sean Shelly and Kemper Nix. Hunter, a senior outfielder, batted .317 last season, while Chrismon, a senior shortstop, hit .318. Shelly, a senior first baseman/DH, posted a .462 on-base percentage in 2025. Nix, a senior left-hander, joins Catawba after pitching for Limestone last year and could anchor the Indians' rotation.

  • Catawba won the SAC regular-season championships in 2024 and 2025.
  • The 2026 SAC baseball season begins on Friday, January 31.

The players

Catawba Indians

The baseball team at Catawba College, a NCAA Division II school located in Salisbury, North Carolina. The Indians have been a dominant force in the South Atlantic Conference in recent years, winning the regular-season title in 2024 and 2025.

Sam Hunter

A senior outfielder for the Catawba Indians. Hunter batted .317 with a .405 on-base percentage, 48 runs scored and 31 RBIs last season.

Nathan Chrismon

A senior shortstop for the Catawba Indians. Chrismon hit .318 with a .429 on-base percentage, 45 runs scored and 41 RBIs in 2025, his first season with the team after transferring from East Carolina.

Sean Shelly

A senior first baseman/outfielder who will serve as Catawba's designated hitter. Shelly, a transfer from Barry University, posted a .462 on-base percentage in 2025.

Kemper Nix

A senior left-handed pitcher who joins Catawba after pitching for Limestone last season. Nix is expected to be the ace of the Indians' pitching staff in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The 2026 SAC baseball season begins on Friday, January 31, when Catawba takes on Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The takeaway

Catawba's continued success in the SAC, even after losing several key players from last year's squad, demonstrates the program's ability to reload and remain a top contender in the conference. The Indians' mix of returning starters, transfers, and young talent suggests they will be the team to beat in the 2026 season.