News digest, July 15 (updated with LeCroy's hiring announced by LIberty)

LeCroy moves to Liberty

Liberty University on Monday announced the hiring of former Clemson player and assistant coach Bradley LeCroy as its head baseball coach. The news was reported earlier in the day by Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.com.

A Walhalla native, LeCroy was head coach at Virginia Commonwealth the past two seasons. He coached the Rams to 38-23 record and an NCAA berth in 2024 by winning the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament.

In a news release from Liberty, LeCroy said, "While we will forever cherish our time at VCU, my family and I are looking forward to becoming a part of the Liberty family, and I am incredibly excited to be the next leader of the Liberty baseball program."

LeCroy replaces Scott Jackson, who left Liberty to become an assistant coach at North Carolina.

LeCroy

Monday's MLB Draft results for state schools, players

Third round

77. Colorado Rockies: Cole Messina, C, South Carolina.

98. L.A. Dodgers: Chase Harlan, 3B, Central Bucks East (PA) HS, Clemson signee.

102. Arizona Diamondbacks: Daniel Eagen, P, Presbyterian

Fourth round

106. Colorado Rockies: Blake Wright, 3B, Clemson.

110: Los Angeles Angels: Austin Gordon, RHP, Clemson.

Fifth round

140: Chicago White Sox: Sam Antonacci, IF, Coastal Carolina.

145: Pittsburgh Pirates: Will Taylor, OF, Clemson.

148: Boston Red Sox: Brandon Clarke, LHP, State College of Florida, USC signee.

150: Cincinnati Reds: Tristan Smith, LHP, Clemson.

Sixth round

188. Minnesota Twins: Derek Bender, C, Coastal Carolina.
Seventh round
218: Minnesota Twins: Eli Jones, RHP, South Carolina.

222: Philadelphia Phillies: Joel Dragoo, OF, Presbyterian.

Eighth round

229: Chicago White Sox: Aaron Combs, RHP, Tennessee (Coastal Carolina transfer).

253: Houston Astros: Dylan Howard, RHP, Radford, Mann High/P27 Academy.

Ninth round
276: Tampa Bay: Garrett Gainey, LHP, South Carolina.

10th round

306: Tampa Bay: Trey Pooser, RHP, Kentucky (College of Charleston transfer).

Pro signings

* Sam Low, IF, Charleston Southern, North Colorado Owls.

* Dylan Matsuoka, RHP, Charleston Southern, Ogden Raptors.
Bucs

Commitments

* Keith Copeland, Jr., RHP, So., East Georgia State, to Voorhees.
* Jacob Mackara, 1B/LHP/OF, Bishop England HS, to Tampa, 2025.