By Thomas Grant Jr.
A former member of the Blythewood baseball team was guaranteed to win this year’s College World Series.
On one side was LSU pitcher Zac Cowan. The Wofford transfer earned All-SEC honors and was key to the Tigers’ comeback win over Arkansas in the semifinal.
Playing on the opposing side was a former Bengal teammate. Infielder Ty Dooley looked to help Coastal Carolina claim its second CWS title.
While Cowan did not see action, the Tigers still came away with their eight national title. The Tigers won Game 1-0 on Saturday and held off a late rally by the Chanticleers to claim Game Two 5-3.
Watching the festivities in Omaha, Neb. was the two players’ former high school coach Banks Faulkner.
“First off, it’s one of the coolest things I’ve had in coaching is to see both of them competing on the biggest stage for their teams,” Faulkner said. “I have very fond memories of both of them and still keep in touch with both.
“As their coach, it gives me so much pride to see them doing so well in baseball and in life and knowing. I hopefully played a small part in their journey. I joked with both of their parents while in Omaha that the series will come down to Dooley vs Cowan. No matter who wins this series, they both made me and I know all of Blythewood proud.”
Cowan was a 4-year letterman for Blythewood under Faulkner. As a junior in 2021, he batted .346 with 20 stolen bases in winning Region Player of the Year and earning All-State selection.
In two seasons at Wofford, Cowan went 13-5 and struck out 178 batters. He helped the Terriers win the 2024 Southern Conference championship and win their first-ever NCAA Regional game.
As a transfer, Cowan has played a reliable relief role for the Tigers. In 20 relief appearances during the regular season, he went 3-3 with a 2.38 ERA, six saves, 10 walks and 53 strikeouts in 41.1 innings.
Cowan was named to the All-SEC team. In his last CWS appearance against Arkansas, he struck out six and allowed just one run in 5 1/3 innings.
Dooley is also a first-year transfer to the Chanticleers out of Radford. A two-time All-State selection for the Bengals, he’s batting .296 with six home runs and 37 RBI for Coastal Carolina.
The Chanticleers finished the season with a school-record 56 victories.
“First of all, they are the right kinds of people,” Faulkner said. “They both come from great families and both are high character individuals. They became good friends and made each other better players while at Blythewood. Extremely talented players, yet the best team guys you could ask for as a coach.
“Both of them never really showed a lot of emotion good or bad and I think that’s one big reason they’ve been successful in college baseball. Both started at smaller schools and had to prove themselves. Before they got the opportunity to play at the level they are now.”
Feature Photo by LSU Sports – LSU pitcher Zac Cowan
