North Georgia Baseball 2009 Tom Cantrell is in his tenth season as head coach of the North Georgia baseball program in 2008-09. In their first year eligible for postseason play since entering the NCAA, Cantrell led his team to a tie for third place in the Peach Belt Conference regular season and ran through the PBC Tournament with four straight wins to claim the championship. The Saints finished the regular season winning 19 of 22 games and competed in their first NCAA South Atlantic Regional. His 2007 team finished their second season of competition at the NCAA Division II level and in the Peach Belt Conference, by finishing 34-22 (17-13 PBC). Cantrell reached a pair of milestones in the 2007 season, winning his 300th game at North Georgia and his 500th game overall. He was also awarded the Peach Belt Conference Coach of the Year Award.
HEAD COACH
Tom Cantrell Head Coach
In their inaugural year, 2006, in the NCAA Division II and the Peach Belt Conference, the Saints finished with an overall record of 32-29 and a PBC record of 9-18. Under the direction of Cantrell, the Saints second baseman Brian Lauderdale was named PBC Player of the Year, South-Atlantic Player of the Year, third team NCAA Division II AllAmerican, and signed a free-agent contract with the San Diego Padres.
n
In his nine years at North Georgia, Cantrell has amassed a 373-195 (.656) record and has posted a winning record at NGCSU in each of those nine seasons. Over his 12-year career at Georgia Perimeter College (DeKalb College) and North Georgia, he has a 550-247 (.690) overall record. Cantrell also has a sharp eye for spotting major league talent, 15 of his former players have signed professional contracts. Five of those 15 are currently in the majors: Nick Green with the Boston Red Rox, Marlon Byrd with the Texas Rangers, Adam Everett of the Detroit Tigers, Michael Barrett of the Toronto Blue Jays and Robby Hammock with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
TOM CANTRELL
Cantrell came to North Georgia from Georgia Perimeter College (DeKalb College) where he spent nine years, four as head coach with a record of 177-52 (.773). While at GPC, Cantrellʼs teams produced two NJCAA All- Americans, five NJCAA Academic All-Americans, 21 GJCAA All-Region, and two GJCAA Players of the Year. In 1991, Cantrell returned to DeKalb as an assistant coach responsible for recruiting. In his five seasons as an assistant coach DeKalb compiled an impressive 204-94 record. In 1995 Cantrell was named GJCAA Assistant Coach-of-the Year. In 1998, Cantrell guided DeKalb to its first state championship since 1987. They also won the East Central District Championship, and made an appearance at the JUCO World Series, DeKalbʼs first appearance since 1977. Coach Cantrellʼs squads were consistently ranked nationally in the top twenty. For his efforts in 1998, Cantrell, was named GJCAA Coach-of-the-Year, as well as the East Central District Coach of the Year. Born on November 10, 1965, in Habersham, Georgia, Cantrell was a two-time Georgia All-State shortstop at North Clayton High School. Following his senior season, Cantrell began his collegiate career at DeKalb College. At DeKalb, he hit .332 and was an All-Region shortstop his freshman year with the Patriots. Following an outstanding sophomore campaign, in which he hit .362, he was once again named to the All-Region. At the conclusion of his second year at DeKalb, the Atlanta Braves drafted him in the seventh round.
16
Coaching Honors 2007 PBC Coach of the Year 2001 & 2003 GACC Coach of the Year 2001 & 2003 Georgia Dugout Coach of the Year 1998 ABCA Regional Coach of the Year 1998 East Regional District Coach of the Year 1998 GJCAA Coach of the Year 1995 GJCAA Assistant Coach of the Year
2008 PBC TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS