Asbury College Men's Baseball

Wynn Harris (Head Baseball Coach: 1st Year) Coaching Mission: I want to coach in a manner worthy of the calling. My hope is to glorify our heavenly Father, stand on scriptural truth, and help meet the needs of all people. Education / Coaching Credentials: University of the Cumberland's (2004) - B.S. History/Social Studies University of the Cumberland's (2010) - M.A. in Ed. Administrative Instruction Leadership Coaching Experience: Lexington Christian Academy Head Baseball Coach (2018-2022) South Laurel H.S. Head Baseball Coach (2008-2017) South Laurel H.S. Assistant Baseball Coach (2006-2007) Southern Arkansas University Graduate Assistant Coach (2005) University of the Cumberland's Student Assistant Coach (2004) TeamAU History: Assistant Baseball Coach (Asbury 2022-2025) Head Baseball Coach (Asbury 2026- Present) Personal: My wife, Stephanie, and I have two children, Mason and Kaden. Hometown - Lexington, Ky. The Asbury University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced in January of 2026 that Wynn Harris had been named head coach for the baseball program and will begin his duties on January 5. 2026 Season Numbers Improved win total by double in just first season at helm in 2026 Won seven conference games and clinched program's first berth into CCS Tournament Helped coach two to the CCS All-Conference Team Coached four to over .300 seasons from the plate Took series' over RV Huntingdon and Covenant at Zweifel Field Swept Dallas in opening series of season Edison Burke and Andrew Billington earned CCS Weekly honors multiple times Harris brings over 20 years of coaching and educational experience, highlighted by effective player development, postseason success, and program leadership across high school and collegiate baseball. Since 2022, he has served as an Assistant Baseball Coach at Asbury University, where he contributed to skill development, recruiting, scouting, and building a culture committed to excellence both on and off the field.  "We are very grateful to have Wynn serve as the new head baseball coach at Asbury University," said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics and University Communications, Mark Whitworth. "He brings head coaching experience, strong connections across the region, and has played a key role in the leadership of our program for the past four seasons. He is committed to leading a Christ-centered program, building on the foundation established by Coach Cervantes." "I am honored and humbled to lead the Eagles baseball program," Harris said. "Asbury's commitment to Christ-centered excellence resonates with my values as a coach, teacher, and mentor. I look forward to partnering with our student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Eagle community to continue building a program focused on character, competition, and growth." Prior to his time at Asbury, Harris led the baseball program at Lexington Christian Academy (LCA) from 2017-2022, guiding LCA to multiple postseason appearances and a 2022 KHSAA 43rd District Championship while earning KHSBCA 11th Region Coach of the Year honors. Before that, he spent more than a decade as Head Baseball Coach at South Laurel High School, directing teams to multiple regional championships and deep state tournament runs. Harris also served as a Graduate Assistant Baseball Coach at Southern Arkansas University, supporting practice planning, in-game strategy, and travel coordination. Harris holds a Master of Education in Administrative Instructional Leadership and a Bachelor of Science in History and Secondary Education from the University of the Cumberlands. Beyond his coaching achievements, he has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to service, including volunteer work with the Toyota Bluegrass Miracle League and international baseball missions, and leadership roles within the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association. Harris currently resides in Lexington with his wife Stephanie and their two sons Mason and Kaden. HARRIS' CAREER NUMBERS Year by Year at Asbury University   Year Overall Pct. Conf. Pct. Highlights 2026 14-28 .333 7-11 .389 * CCS Tournament Berth * Seven CCS Wins  

Manny Cervantes (Head Baseball Coach: 10th Year) Coaching Mission Athletics, specifically baseball, is the tool that our coaching staff uses to relate to our program's student-athletes and speak into their lives. Our ultimate goal is to use baseball to develop strong Christian men who honor God, love their family, and make a positive impact for Jesus Christ. With Gods grace, our common love for baseball provides us the opportunity with its life analogies to help our guys reach their potential in their integrity, academics, and athletics.  Education / Coaching CredentialsOklahoma State University 1992 B.S. (HRAD)University of Kentucky 1991 NutritionCoaching Experience Asbury University Head Coach (2014-Present)Coached in the Seattle Mariners Minor-League System (1993-1995)Stillwater High School Assistant Coach (2011-2012)Oklahoma Christian University Assistant Coach (2012-2014)Established private baseball coaching business in Stillwater, Okla.Baseball CareerDrafted by the New York Mets in 1987 out of high schoolPlayed at Oklahoma State 1988-1990, making it to the NCAA tournament three times and reaching the national title game in 1990.Named the Big Eight Conference Player of the week in April, 1988Two-Time Academic All-Big Eight Conference selection (1989 and 1990)Played at the University of Kentucky 1991Earned Second-Team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1991 for the WildcatsSigned with the Seattle Mariners and played two seasons in the minor leagues (1992-1994)Personal Coach Cervantes resides in Wilmore, Kentucky with his wife Jami and their lab Jackie. They have three grown children Mikayla, Jacob, and Mia.Hometown | Whittier, Calif. Manny Cervantes enters his 10th season as the Asbury head coach in 2023-24 after becoming the first full-time coach in Asbury baseball history in 2014. The Asbury baseball program continued to strive forward under the leadership of Coach Cervantes in 2023, taking 23 wins with the NCCAA Mideast Region Player of the Year, Ethan Cartwright. Ten total Eagles were honored by NCCAA Regional awards including the Mideast Pitcher of the Year (Brody Bearden) and Mideast Freshman of the Year (Andrew Billington).  In 2022 Coach Cervantes led Asbury to 29 wins and an NCCAA Mideast Region Championship to earn a trip to the NCCAA World Series in Kansas City, Mo. The 29-16 season took AU to an 81-35 record since 2020. Asbury baseball also produced the NCCAA National Player of the Year in Walker Paris, alongside three Eagles named 2022 NCCAA All-Americans.  In his time at the helm Asbury baseball has become a program synonymous with development. The program takes pride in its ability to not only develop skilled players on the field, but also develop men of character off it. Asbury baseball teams historic 2021 season sent the program to new heights and national recognition. The Eagles set a plethora of new team and individual records on their way to a program-best 38 wins. Asbury recorded a 52-16 (.765) record over the past two seasons, including a 14-4 start in 2020 which was the best start in the programs history before the year ended due to COVID-19. Their 14-4 record included multiple wins against top 25 ranked opponents. Academically, AU Baseball was recognized by the American Baseball Coaches Association with the Team Academic Excellence Award after another successful year in the classroom. This marks the third consecutive year that AU has received the Team Academic Excellence Award. Additionally, Asbury was the only small college school in the state of Kentucky (NAIA, NCAA DIII, NCAA DII) to receive the award. In 2019, Asbury created a historic season. A 24-22 record (the most wins since 2011) earned them their first spot in the River States Conference Tournament. Equally important is the number of young men who graduated from Asbury University. In that same period, more than 10 student athletes have received their degrees. Its about more than just baseball for Coach Cervantes, and it shows. As a result of the 2019 season, Asbury baseball had five players named to the River States All Conference-Team, the most in the Cervantes era, including being named the River States Coach of the Year. He is the first coach in Asbury Baseball history to be given this award. Probably more impressive than the athletic performance is the academic performance. Nine Asbury players were named to the All-River States Conference Academic Team, and three of those were honored with NAIA Scholar-Athlete status. The lines of the development of the program run directly through Coach Cervantes. He takes such pride in the development of men of faith, men of character, and winners on the field. In his words For me, coaching is about more than the game of baseball. Its an opportunity and a responsibility to make a positive impact on young men. Ive learned that a coach who demonstrates strong Christian leadership has the ability to make a lifelong impact on his players and develop them into Christs ambassadors to the world. During his tenure at Asbury, the program has had numerous players earn All-Conference recognition, with most of his players graduating with their degrees. The interesting and beautiful thing about Coach Cervantes is the obvious unseen. The job he does daily making sure he pours into his players is unique. There is a focus on God, our Savior, as much as there is a focus on academics, and as much as there is a focus on winning. Its this daily consistency that laid the foundation for the programs current success. 2016 was the first year it was becoming clear Coach Cervantes was making the developmental progress he envisioned. The Eagles doubled their win total from the 2015 season, finishing with a 22-29 record. That season included multiple wins against a Top 25 ranked Rio Grande (OH) team, and an impressive 13-4 streak in the middle of the season. Cervantes, originally from Whittier, Calif., was drafted by the New York Mets in 1987 out of high school, but instead opted to play in college. He played first base at Oklahoma State from 1988 to 1990, during which time the Cowboys made the NCAA tournament three times and reached the national title game in 1990. In April 1988 he was named as the Big Eight Conference player of the week and was a two-time Academic All-Big Eight Conference selection (1989 and 1990). He transferred to the University of Kentucky for his senior season and earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 1991 for the Wildcats. He went on to sign with the Seattle Mariners and played two seasons in the minor leagues before becoming a coach in the Mariners minor-league system. He later established a private baseball coaching business in Stillwater, Okla. and worked as an assistant coach at Stillwater High School in 2011 and 2012. Prior to coming to Asbury, Cervantes served as an assistant at Oklahoma Christian University from 2012 until 2014, helping the Eagles finish '14 with a 38-17-1 record. Coach Cervantes resides in Wilmore, Kentucky with his wife Jami and their lab Jackie. They have three grown children Mikayla (25), Jacob (22) and Mia (20).

Jackson Cole (Assistant Baseball Coach: 2nd Year) Coaching Mission My mission is to build relationships with young men, lead them to grow in their relationship with Jesus, and help them reach their full potential both on and off the field. Education / Coaching Credentials Asbury University 2019-2023 - B.A. Health and Physical Education / Asbury University 2023-Current - M.A.T. Learning and Behavior Disorders Coaching Experience  Kentucky Baseball Club 17U - Pitching Coach TeamAU History Played baseball at AU from 2019-2024 Asbury 2024 Male Comeback Player of the Year Holds Asbury School-Record in Saves (8) Met wife Lucy at Asbury Personal  Jackson and his wife Lucy reside in Nicholasville. As a player at Asbury, Jackson holds the school record for saves, was named AU comeback player of the year 2023-2024 season, and helped AU win the 2022 NCCAA Mideast Regional Championship Favorite Verse, Isaiah 41:10 Hometown | Mount Eden, Kentucky

Kaden Dugle (Assistant Baseball Coach: 1st Year) Coaching Mission My mission is to continue to strengthen the brotherhood of Asbury Baseball. Pushing the pursuit of excellence in the classroom and on the diamond. However, above all else, I want to be a vessel in their pursuit of Jesus. Education / Coaching Credentials Asbury University 2020-2024 - B.A. Health and Physical Education Asbury University 2024-Current - M.A.T. Learning and Behavior Disorder TeamAU History Played baseball at AU from 2021-2025 Asbury School-Record Holder in Career Home Runs (27) Member of the all-time winningest team in Asbury history (38 wins) Personal  2022 NCCAA Mideast Regional Champion 2025 National Hank Burbridge Award Winner Elementary P.E. teacher Favorite Verse, Daniel 3:17-18 Hometown | Shelbyville, Kentucky

Colton Back (Assistant Coach: 2nd Year) Work Mission: God has blessed me in many ways in my time at Asbury as a student, an athlete, a graduate assistant, and now a staff member. My mission is to share His love and truth, pursue excellence, and overall love others through the position He has given me. Education / Coaching Credentials: Asbury University – B.A. Sport Management (2020) Asbury University – MBA – Nonprofit Management (2022) TeamAU History: Played for Asbury Baseball 2017-2021 Asbury Athletics Graduate Assistant 2020-2022 Asbury Director of Athletic Communications & Events 2022-2025 Currently serves as the Asbury Director of Strategic Communications  Personal: God has given me a great passion for athletics, and how they can be used for His good.  I am thankful to be a part of Asbury Athletics, and for the impact Asbury University has had on my life. Hometown – Russell County, KY

Jon Stratton (Operations Coordinator: 1st Year) Mission I deeply believe in the work being done through Asbury Athletics, particularly in the powerful Christian witness and example consistently demonstrated by the coaches and athletic leadership team. I am excited to be part of the baseball support staff and am hopeful that my contributions will help ease Coach Harris' off-field responsibilities, allowing him to focus more fully on investing in the growth and development of the young men on the team. Education: Asbury University (1984) - B.S. History/Secondary Education Morehead State (1993) - M.A. Guidance Counseling Morehead State (2006) - M.A. School Administration TeamAU History: Asbury baseball student-athlete (1983 & 84') Personal: My wife, Penny, and I have two adult children, Rebecka and Benjamin Current Residence - Fort Thomas, Ky.