VIDEO: Spencer Williams Interview

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - We wrap up our Carson-Newman baseball position previews with a look at the outfielders with help from senior Spencer Williams.

Williams is the top returner in the outfield for C-N. As a junior, Williams put together a career year, by recording more runs, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, and RBI than he had combined from his first two seasons. In 44 games, drove in 27 runs recording 48 hits, 16 of which went for extra bases. His .331 batting average was second-best on the club.

"I think it was all about reaching a maturity stage in my career," Williams said. "Really trusting everything that Coach Griff and our assistants are preaching day in and day out. Also listening to older guys and learning from their experiences, that was a big step for me."

While Williams' spot in right field seems secure, C-N will have openings in left and center field. C-N's top two starters at those positions in 2024, Dalton McLain and Ryan Potts have graduated. McLain was C-N's everyday center fielder and hit .305 at the plate from the number two spot in the lineup. Potts was just as solid hitting .289 in 23 starts. Second team All-conference DH and occasional outfielder James Denten also departs after hitting .320 and leading C-N with 48 RBI.

Trey Miller (Rocky Point, N.Y) is a veteran player that returns for his third season with the Eagles. Over 77 games, he has hit .250 at the plate and has 56 hits and 27 RBI with Carson-Newman. Primarily as an infielder with C-N, Miller will make the move to the outfield this season, a position that he played quite often at his Herkimer Community College.

"Trey was a center fielder at his JUCO so this transition for him has been fairly easy," Williams said. "I like what we've seen from Braxton Smith and the same for Seth Benner. And then a bunch of returners in Carruthers, Goforth and Bolton. It's been really good to see them and their help in those aspects."

Senior Luke Goforth (Blacksburg, Va) is a utility player that can be used all over the field. He played in a career-high 30 games las season and hit .333 at the plate. Sophomores Ryan Bolton (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Wade Carruthers (Phoenixville, PA) return as well. Bolton played in 20 games as a freshman and had four hits in 16 at bats, while Carruthers did not see the field.

Two newcomers round out the group of outfielders for 2025. Seth Benner is a graduate student transfer from the University of the Cumberlands. In his three seasons, he played in 73 games and hit .360 at the plate. He drove in 67 runs and had 34 extra base-hits. Braxton Smith is the only freshman amongst this group. Smith comes to Carson-Newman from Walker Valley High School in Cleveland, Tennessee.

"It's the competition is what is going to breed success," Williams said.  "If you are sitting there with three locked up outfield spots there is going to be a lot of stagnant stuff going on. I think that is why Trey and I have had to act like a catalyst to help everyone grow and move forward."

Carson-Newman opens the doors to the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex on Friday afternoon at 2:00 p.m, starting a three-game series with King. Every home game can be heard on cneagles.com/live with live video available on the Eagle Sports Network.