Maryville University of Saint Louis Men's Baseball

Pat Evers enters his seventh season as head coach of the Maryville University baseball program.  During his tenure, he has guided the Saints to two NCAA Tournament appearances, one Great Lakes Valley Regular season championship, and the program’s first ever GLVC Conference Tournament Championship.    Under Evers leadership, the Saints have produced 18 GLVC All-Conference performers, 8 All-Region selections, and 5 All-American honors.  In 2024, Saints pitcher Jacob Kroeger became the highest draft pick in the programs history when he was selected in the 10th Round of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Atlanta Braves.  Kroeger also was led all of NCAA Division II in strikeouts for the 2024 season. Four of Evers teams have earned American Baseball Coaches Association Team Academic Excellence Awards.  He carries an overall head coaching record of 334-183-1.  Evers became the winningest coach in programs history with his 126th career win on February 24th vs. Northwood University.  His overall record with the Saints is 162-115. The 2024 season was a memorable one for the Saints with the school setting a single season record with 40 wins, a second consecutive NCAA Regional appearance, and the programs first every GLVC Championship.  Several Saints earned post-season awards including ABCA All-American and ABCA All-Region honors for Jacob Kroeger.  Jack Zebig earned All-Region honors and Saints infielder Andy Bunton was awarded his second consecutive Midwest Region All-Defensive Team award.  Both Jacob Kroeger and catcher Elias Stevens signed professional contracts as well. Over Evers tenure, the Saints have set single season records for win four times.  In 2023, the program made its first ever NCAA Tournament appearance in the NCAA Division II era and only the second in the program’s history.  The Saints won their first DII postseason contest in a 5-2 win over Ashland on May 18, 2023, while setting team program records in nearly every offensive category over the course of the season.  In his first season as head coach Maryville earned the programs first ever GLVC Regular Season Championship. Prior to Maryville, Evers posted a 172-68-1 record in four seasons as the Jefferson College coach, highlighted by a school-record 54-12-1 mark in 2018. He guided the Vikings to the 2018 NJCAA National Tournament and a No. 8 national ranking after winning the South Central District Championship. Evers led Jefferson College to four straight Midwest Community College Conference championships and earned the No. 1 seed in the Region XVI Tournament on all four occasions. He was named the Midwest Community College Conference Coach of the Year in 2016 and 2017.  During his head coaching tenure, Evers had 61 student-athletes who signed with NCAA programs, including 35 on the DI level. The Vikings have also had 20 players in the last four seasons either selected in the MLB Draft or have signed professional contracts. Former pitcher Matt Stites made his Major League Baseball debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Evers’ 2016 team earned the NJCAA Academic Team of the Year Award with a team GPA of 3.13 and had a team recognized by NJCAA Review magazine “Champions of the Community” for its strong community service efforts. In his nine overall seasons with the Vikings, Evers helped the team win three Region XVI titles, three South Central District Championships, nine consecutive conference titles, and make three NJCAA World Series appearances. As an assistant coach at Jefferson College, the 2012 Vikings set the previous school record with 53 wins and were ranked No. 2 in the nation in the final NJCAA national poll. Evers spent two seasons at his alma mater, the University of Central Missouri, serving as the pitching coach.  During two seasons at UCM, the Mules posted a 91-23 record. He helped UCM finish fourth at the 2008 NCAA Division II World Series. In total, he coached two All-Americans, two Region Pitchers of the Year, five All-Region selections, two MIAA Pitchers of the Year, and six pitchers who eventually signed professional contracts. He began his coaching career in 2007 as an assistant coach at St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley. His collegiate playing career began at Forest Park Community College and finished at UCM in 2005. After playing at Central Missouri, Evers played three seasons professionally for the River City Rascals of the Independent Frontier League. A native of St. Louis, MO., Evers is married to the former Kasey Teter, and the couple has two children, Dylan and Leighton.  

Michael Gould enters his first season on the Saints coaching staff working with the Saints outfielders and hitters. Gould was a four year starter in the outfield for the Saints. He was a GLVC All-Conference team member in 2023 and 2024, 1st Team All-Region selection in 2023, and All-American honors in 2023. Gould is the career record holder for hits, doubles, runs, and games started. He set single season records for hits, RBI’s and Total Bases. Gould is a native of Naperville, Illinois.

Joey Polak enters his third season on the Saints coaching staff, overseeing all aspects of the Saints offense, as well as serving as the programs recruiting coordinator. Several offensive records were broken in Polak’s three seasons on staff including records for runs scored, doubles, home runs, runs batter in, total bases, hit by pitches, and walks. Polak played two seasons for the Saints in 2021 and 2022 setting program records for single-season and career home runs. He earned GLVC All-Conference, ABCA All-Region, and D2CCA All-American honors for the Saints. Polak was a career .409 hitter for the Saints with 31 home runs and 93 RBIs over 82 games. Prior to Maryville, Polak played at Missouri State University, Jefferson College, and University of South Carolina. In 2018, Polak was named NJCAA Player of Year hitting .454 with 32 home runs and 107 RBI’s. Polak is a native of Quincy, Illinois.

Andy Bunton enters his first season as a member of the Saints coaching staff primarily working with Saints infielders and assisting with the hitters. Coach Bunton was a three year started for the Saints, serving as team captain in 2023 & 2024. Bunton was a 2023 & 2024 ABCA All-Region Defensive team member at second base. In 2024, Bunton was voted to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team. He started 164 games over his three season with the Saints, hitting .323 with 7 Homeruns, 63 RBIs and 36 Stolen Bases. Bunton defended at a .982 clip making only 14 errors as the Saints starting second basemen. Coach Bunton began his college career at Danville Area Community College. In 2021, Bunton earned 1st Team All-Region Honors and earned 2021 All-Mid-West Athletic Conference Gold Glove Award at Shortstop. Bunton is native of Danville, Illinois.