Assistant Baseball Coach Mark Hernandez is entering his 3rd season as the Knights Pitching Coach, Recruiting Coordinator, and Strength Coach.
In 2021, the MGA Knights were selected as a #2 Seed at the NAIA Opening Round Winter Haven Regional, finishing with a 36-21 record, coming 2 wins shy of Idaho. The pitching staff combined for a 4.98 ERA, also finishing top Team ERA and finished 13th in the country with an avg K/9 of 8.54 & 487 punchouts overall. The staff featured masterful seasons deserving of 1st Team All-SSAC Honors - SP Garrett Martin, and CP Caleb Lanoux. Other standout performers under Coach Hernandez’s watch last year were Jackson Braden, and Logan Howell. All 4 are returning to Cochran for their last year as the Knights look to bring in a talented recruiting class to compliment the core that is already in place.
In 2020, Covid-19 interrupted a stellar campaign by the Middle Georgia State pitching staff. Senior leadership assisted the young coach tremendously, developing a strong work ethic and foundation to the culture. Logan Carter was lights out with a 1.98 ERA and coming off back to back shutouts before Covid-19 cut short his tremendous campaign. The pitching staff was anchored by lights out closer Tyler Goddard who did not give up a run until the 18th inning of work that year. Fellow Seniors Drew Martens and Witt Cambell were also standout performers for Hernandez, not to mention the rocks they were day in, day out for the culture. The pitching staff had a stellar 3.26 Staff ERA through 27 games also top 10 in K/9.
Hernandez is from Miami, FL, the son of Yolanda and Heriberto Hernandez. He was a Division 1 Baseball traditional 2 way, playing 1st base and Starting game 3 of the weekend series.
