ST. CHARLES (Mo.) — Lindenwood Baseball Coach Doug Bletcher has announced that 2023 will be his last year as the head coach of the program.

Bletcher said, “I’m proud to have served two outstanding institutions over the past 27 years: Culver Stockton College and Lindenwood University.” Both institutions, from the top down, were led by wonderful people who gave incredible support to the baseball program. “With respect to the baseballers, I’m thankful that over the years I was able to coach some of the best human beings a coach could ask for.”

Bletcher added, “Not only were they successful on the diamond but they also represented their Universities in the best possible light academically and socially off the field,” Bletcher said. They were and are still WINNERS in the game and life. “A man/coach could not have asked for and received more than I was delivered.”

Bletcher begins the 16th season and final at Lindenwood

Bletcher will begin his 16th year as head coach of the Lions Baseball team this spring. It is his 25th season as a college head coach. Bletcher’s career as a coach has seen him accumulate a record of 811 483 2 (.626). Included in this is a 452-277-1 mark (.620).

Bletcher led his Lions to five championships in the conference (2008, 2009 2010, 2011, 2017, 2021). The Lions also won two NCAA titles (2017 MIAA and 2021 GLVC). The Lions won their first NCAA DII World Series appearance in 2017 after winning the MIAA Tournament Championship. Lindenwood will return to the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament by 2021. Bletcher helped to produce two draft choices, Geoff Hartlieb (and Matt Meier). After the 2017 season, two other players signed free-agent deals, Connor Law, and Brendan Feldmann.

Coomer says Bletcher has been “a treasure” for our baseball program

Jason Coomer, VP of Intercollegiate Athletics, said, “Coach Bletcher is a treasure for our baseball program, the department and the institution.” We look forward to Coach Bletcher leading our baseball team into the Division I age this year. We will miss Coach in the dugout, but we wish him all the best for the new chapter.

Coomer says, “His impact on so many student athletes is a testimony to the importance he placed on being a good leader on and off the pitch.” It is obvious to everyone that he’ll be missed as he represents Lindenwood Baseball. Coach Bletcher is a permanent part of our program. “We look forward to him supporting the Lions for many more years.”

Lindenwood achieved the No. Lindenwood achieved the No. 1 ranking for the first time during the NCAA era. Lindenwood won the GLVC Tournament Championship at Lou Brock Sports Complex. Bletcher won the ABCA/Diamond Region Coaching of the Year award after the 2017 season. The Lions had swept the Central Region Tournament. Bletcher guided the baseball team to four seasons of 40 wins, including a conference title in each. Bletcher received his Culver-Stockton Hall of Fame induction in 2013. During Bletcher’s tenure, the Wildcats won four conference championships and made nine appearances in regional tournaments.

The assistant coaches have been outstanding. I’m grateful for their hard work, loyalty, and support over the years. “Our level of success would not have been possible without their sacrifice and dedication to the game.”

Excitement for the new season

Bletcher shared his excitement about the upcoming baseball season, and expressed his love for this program.

It’s a wonderful time to watch as the OVC Conference and NCAA Division I reach new heights in accolades and achievements.

Lindenwood will open the season in Thibodaux on Friday, 17th February. Nicholls State will be the opponent in a 4-game series. The Lions will host Minnesota State at Lou Brock Sports Complex, St. Charles on Friday, 24th February, for their first home game of the season.