COLLEGE

UNCW baseball's Scalf to retire

Alex Riley StarNews Staff

Mat Batts stumbled over his words. He knew it was going to happen eventually, but never expected that Wednesday would be the day.

As news of UNCW baseball coach Mark Scalf’s impending retirement began to spread late in the afternoon, the former two-time CAA Pitcher of the Year joined many who were initially dumbstruck.

“UNCW baseball and Mark Scalf are synonymous. That’s really all I’ve ever known,” Batts said. “It’s crazy to think that somebody else will be in that position. He’s been influential in so many players’ lives, not even just on the field but in the classroom and after graduation.”

Through a press release, the university announced Scalf’s decision to step away from the program following the 2019 season. A press conference to discuss the move is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on Thursday. The Seahawks will open Scalf’s 28th and final campaign at 4 p.m. Friday against St. Joseph’s.

A 1980 UNCW graduate, Scalf returned to his alma mater in 1984 as an assistant before taking over as head coach in 1992 following the departure of Bobby Guthrie.

Since then, he’s become the face of Seahawk baseball, winning 909 games, nine CAA regular season titles and five CAA Tournament crowns. The Seahawks have been to the NCAA Tournament nine time under his guidance. Last year, Scalf became the 79th Division I baseball coach to win 900 games, earning the victory at Northeastern on May 11.

“His name is big around the country. He knows it. He’ll never express it, but he knows it. But he’s still the humble, hard worker that he’s always been,” former UNCW pitcher Heath Altman said. Altman played at the school from 1990-93.

Over 28 seasons, Scalf helped prepare players for the next step as 81 Seahawks earned a chance to play professionally after time at UNCW.

In addition, Scalf helped several young coaches get their start. Current Liberty coach Scott Jackson and East Carolina’s Cliff Godwin both spent time learning under Scalf before moving on to new opportunities.

“It’s always tough going up against somebody that you care a lot about. And I care a lot about coach Scalf,” Godwin said. “They beat us in the regional last year and I went on record and said if I had to lose to anybody, I’d want to lose to coach Scalf because he does it the right way.”

Reporter Alex Riley can be reached at 910-343-2034 or Alex.Riley@StarNewsOnline.com.