Blackburn College Men's Baseball

Neal enters his seventeenth season as the head baseball coach. Neal comes into the 2016 campaign with a strong history. In seven of his sixteen seasons at Blackburn, the Beavers have broke the 20-win mark.  Also, from 2001-2007 Blackburn had not finished lower than second in the SLIAC. Success was seen even in Neals first season at Blackburn in 1999, when the Beavers tied the school record for victories. Since then, Neals teams have set three new records for wins. Prior to his run at Blackburn, Neal served as head coach at Millikin University from 1992-97. He has also coached the Bloomington Bobcats for seven summers between 1991-99. In 1994, Neal served as coach of the Decatur Blues of the Central Illinois Collegiate League, one of the top collegiate summer leagues in the nation. Throughout his career many players of his have moved into the professional ranks. In addition to his duties as baseball coach, Neal is the sports information director at Blackburn and an instructor of physical education.

Bio Blackburn College has elevated Dalton Fisher to Head Baseball Coach.  "Coach Fisher's commitment to our baseball program runs deep — first as a player, then as an assistant coach, and now as our new head coach," said Director of Athletics, Kim Camara-Harvey. "He has poured his heart into this program for years, and there's no one who understands the culture, the expectations, and the potential of Blackburn Baseball more than Dalton. I'm excited to see where his leadership takes us next."   Fisher will assume the head coach role again after serving as an Interim Co-Head Coach for the 2024 season.  He enters his sixth season coaching within the baseball program at Blackburn. Fisher has spent four years as an assistant coach after playing at Blackburn College. He spent the 2025 season as the team's top assistant and played a key role in the team improving in nearly all offensive categories. .  Throughout the past four summers, Fisher coaches Club with Action Baseball out of Texas where he works with the 15-17U programs. Fisher will begin his duties as head coach immediately.       

Bio Coach Hedges has returned to his alma mater and has stepped into a coaching role for the 2024-2025 season. Hedges finished his senior year hitting .295 while playing a major role within the offensive production for the Beavers. Hedges started his playing career at Ohio Valley University (D2) and competed for 2 years at Ranger Junior College (NJCAA D1) before joining the Beavers. Coach Hedges was All-Academic within the SLIAC during the 2024 campaign.    Hedges will split his time assisting with both the pitching staff and outfielders. 

Bio Christian Padilla enters his first season as an assistant coach at Blackburn College.  Prior to his coaching start at Blackburn, Padilla had been coaching several travel ball teams for the past 10 years, including with the Aces Baseball Academy, Canes, Dirtbags and Marucci Elite. He also gave baseball lessons and provides lessons locally as well.  Padilla returns to Blackburn after playing for the Beavers playing in the 2018, 2019 and start of the 2020 season before COVID stopped play that spring. He then transferred to Concordia University in Texas and finished his career.  Prior to his return to BC, Padilla has been coaching several travel ball teams for the past 10 years, including with the Aces Baseball Academy, Canes, Dirtbags and Marucci Elite.  Padilla graduated with a degree in Sports Management.