Merrill Morgan
Head Baseball Coach

Merrill Morgan enters his fifth season as the head baseball coach at Virginia Sate University. During that time, he has compiled an 86-93 record and has guided VSU to two Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) championships.

Morgan previously worked as an assistant coach at Virginia State under Herbert Wheat.

Morgan became the VSU head coach in 2004 and won the CIAA title in his first season.
In the past four seasons, he has been named the CIAA Baseball Coach of the Year twice (in 2005 and 2006).

Last season he also became the first VSU coach in history to lead his team into the NCAA Tournament, and the Trojans turned the first and (so far) only triple play in the history of the NCAA Tournament.

Morgan started his collegiate career as a player for Mount Olive College, where he earned All-Conference Honors in 1984. After transferring to Virginia Commonwealth University, Morgan majored in Health and Physical Education and graduated in 1986. In 1985 he batted .308 for the Rams.

A Dinwiddie, Va., native, Morgan and his wife Angela have two sons, Marcus (22) and Merrill, Jr. (19).

Torrie Lashley
Head Softball Coach

Head softball coach Torrie Lashley enters her fifth season at Virginia State University, after returning to her Alma Mater in 2005. She is a former captain of the Lady Trojan softball team, playing here from 1995-99.

In her first season, VSU went on to have a 14-0 undefeated record in the CIAA. But their spirits were quickly shattered when they could not pull off the two wins needed against North Carolina Central University, to keep the undefeated title.

“Although, we did not accomplish our primary goal of winning a Championship, we were able to make great strides and were successful in other areas,” said Lashley.

Coach Lashley credits her team successes to “GOD”, her remarkable players and wonderful coaching staff.

Lashley’s impact on the team can be seen statistically, she was successful in helping Judy Hatch, a freshman, conquer the title to be ranked #1 in the nation with stolen bases.

Along with having Geneva Washington, Kristie Holbert and Tiffany Coggins receiving All-CIAA Tournament team.

Kjirsten Beckstead was named to the second team all region.

Johnny Grubb

• Played his your baseball in Chesterfield (Little League, Pony League, Meadowbrook High School, American Legion Post 137)
• Played at Manatee Jr. College (Jr. College World Series)
• Played at Florida State University (College World Series) Elected to FSU Sports Hall of Fame
• Member of USA Baseball Team for Pan American Games
• 15 year Major League Career (San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers)
• Topps All-Rookie Team (1973)
• National League All Star Team (1974)
• World Series Championship Team (Detroit Tigers 1984)
• Hitting Coach for Atlanta Braves Organization
• Hitting Coach for Colorado Silver Bullets (Professional Ladies’ Team)
• Instructor for Youth Baseball in Australia representing Major League Baseball International (1998)
• Varsity Baseball Coach at Meadowbrook High School (1999 – 2008)
• Assistant Coach for American Legion Post 137 (2008)  State and Regional Champs, American Legion World Series
• Co-Founder of Virginia School of Baseball (1989-1996)
• Instructor for numerous camps and clinics for youth baseball and girls softball around the country

Jason Burton

3 years varsity baseball at Dinwiddie County High School. Lettered all 3 years on the team and was a contributor to three consecutive Central District titles. Went on to pitch and letter two years at Hampden-Sydney College under Todd Lampman and Jeff Kinne. Led the team in saves and ERA his freshman year and was 3rd in ERA and 1st in saves his sophomore year. After two years he transferred to Virginia State University where he picked up the closer and middle-relief spot for the Trojans. Under the coaching of Merril Morgan he led the team in saves his junior year and contributed to a CIAA District Title and a Division II Regional berth his senior year. After playing Jason began coaching at the high school level taking over the JV program at Dinwiddie High School and going 13-1 his first year. Jason has been coaching and instructing the game during summer, fall, and winter leagues for 5 years now. He also coached American Legion Post 284 Bucs for two years along side Virginia State coach Merril Morgan.

Harry Saferight

Raised in Chesterfield County, attended Meadowbrook High School.  Graduated in 1967.  Drafted by the New York Mets after Senior year.  Attended Manatee Jr. College on full baseball scholarship.  Drafted by Detroit in January Draft and then by San Francisco Giants in June.  Drafted again by Atlanta Braves in 1969 but decided to attend Florida State University on full scholarship.  Drafted by Philadelphia Phillies after senior year.  Stayed in Philadelphia Organization for four years then traded to the Pittsburgh Pirate Organization and getting a call to the Majors in 1979, the year they won the pennant.  Traded to the Atlanta Braves in 1980 and sent to the Richmond Braves.  In 1981 went to the Baltimore Oriole Organization.  In 1982 finished up with the Minnesota Organization.  Today working as a Mortgage Originator with C&F Mortgage.  Married with two kids and two Grandkids, living in Midlothian, Va.

Greg Ecroyd

Greg Ecroyd graduated from Bridgewater College where he was an All ODAC catcher and a Division III All South selection.  Upon graduation he signed as a free agent with the Boston Red Sox organization where he was a catcher in their minor league system.  After his playing days he was an assistant coach at Frostburg State University in Maryland where he was in charge of the pitchers and catchers while serving as head J.V. coach.  He then went to Gloucester County College in New Jersey and was in charge of the pitchers then became head coach of West Deptford High School in New Jersey  Upon moving to Virginia he was an assistant coach at Meadowbrook High where he was the pitching coach for their regional participant team before moving to Manchester High as head J.V. coach.  Greg has worked with three current pitchers in the professional ranks, two major leaguers and one minor leaguer, as well as other pitchers and catchers who have gone on to all levels of college baseball.  He is a veteran instructor who has run his own team and individual camps in Virginia and North Carolina.

Dave Clay

Dave Clay is a former Richmond Brave.  He was a pitcher in professional baseball for seven years.  Through private lessons or group workouts, Dave can pass on his extensive baseball knowledge and experience to you.

Some former coaches and associates:

Leo Mazzone, Johnny Sain, Bruce Dal Canton, Hank Aaron, Bobby Dews, Duffy Dyer, Brian Snitker, Ralph Garr and Cito Gaston

• 1992 – Inducted into West Chester University’s Hall of Fame
• 1987 – Los Angeles Dodgers’ Organization
• 1986-1987 – Milwaukee Brewers’ Organization
• 1984-1985 – San Juan Metros of the Puerto Rico Winter League
• 1981-1985 - Atlanta Braves’ Organization
• 1984 – Southern League “Rolaids Relief Award” winner
• 1981 – Drafter in the 22^nd round and signed by the Atlanta Braves
• 1977-1981 – West Chester University

Eric Curtis

Objective:  To attend a college that can assist me with pursuing my education, while I am working towards my goal of becoming a Professional Baseball Player.

All District Catcher, Three-year letter winner in baseball for Matoaca High School.  Earned All District honors as Catcher Sophomore, Junior and Senior year.  During my Junior year campaign, nominated to play in the Commonwealth Games & invited & participated in the East Coast pro Show Case in Wilmington, NC.....Earned Second-Team All-Disrict honors as catcher, named All-District Catcher, Sophmore, Junior and Senior seasons.  Named First-Team All District & First-Team All-Tri Cities.  All region Catcher my Senior year.  Helped lead the Warriors to regular season, District Tournamnet and Central Virginia Regional Championship in 2006.  Nmaed first team Honorable mention....All-Region Catcher, Earned First-Team All Region, First -Team All District Catcher during 2007 season.

 Chris Rivera

Chris Rivera played high school baseball locally at Meadowbrook High School under former big leaguer Johnny Grubb.  He went on to Virginia Wesleyan College where he was transformed from an outfielder into a pitcher.  Rivera put together a record-setting 2007 season, compiling an 8-0 mark and finishing as the only undefeated pitcher in the ODAC.  It was also the best single-season record in VWC history.  Rivera led the league with 88.2 innings pitched, the fourth highest single-season total in Marlin history, and finished with a 2.44 earned run average.  He started 14 games and made 17 total appearances, increasing his career total of appearances to 88, another VWC record.  Rivera set the Marlins' appearance record in 2006 with 31.  In the 2007 season he struck out 64 batters, increasing his career total to 197, the second highest in program history.  Hi pitched 250.1 innings, the fourth highest total in Marlin history and closed out his career with a 21-5 record, making him as only the fifth VWC pitcher ever to record 20+ wins in a career.  His .806 winnings percentage is the third highest in program history.  Rivera then signed with the Washington Wild Things, an independent team on June 23, and started two games for the Wild Things.  He threw nine innings overall, struck out five batters and compiled a 1-0 record and a 3.00 earned run average.  He then signed a free agent contract with Chicago Cubs to play in the AZL rookie league.  In his first professional year with the AZL Cubs, Chris threw 22.2 innings with a 3.57 ERA.  Chris was then released by the Cubs in the following spring training where he then signed with the Washington Nationals after dropping his arm slot to sidearm.  There he played for the Hagerstown Suns and Potomac Nationals.  He finished up the season in Hagerstown throwing 19 innings with 21 strikeouts and only 1 walk with a 3.79 ERA.