POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Pearl River baseball head coach Michael Avalon has announced that Gavin Schmidt has been promoted to the staff's pitching coach position. Schmidt has been a volunteer assistant coach with the program since August.

"We are confident in Gavin and his ability to coordinate our pitching staff," head coach Michael Avalon said. "He's very knowledgeable and relates to players. His experience at the SEC level is invaluable to these guys and will definitely aid in their development. Gavin will work with the pitchers and continue to assist in recruiting. Gavin is a quality person, and we are excited to have him on our staff."

Schmidt takes over for long-time Wildcat Brandon Pennington, who stepped down after accepting an opportunity in professional baseball.

"I am excited for Brandon, Taylor and Tanner," Avalon said. "Over the past five-plus years, Penny did a tremendous job for us, and he will be missed. As a head coach, I expect and am thankful when our assistants are given opportunities to further their careers in the game of baseball. We wish them well — the Penningtons are Wildcats for life."

Before he arrived at The River, Schmidt was a Graduate Assistant at Mississippi State University. During his time with the Bulldogs, Schmidt assisted with breaking down trackman data and evaluating pitchers while serving as the bullpen coach during games. Additionally, he assisted in defensive work with the program's catchers. 

"Gavin is one of the top up-and-coming young coaches who has shown the ability to get the most out of his pitchers," Mississippi State head coach Chris Lemonis said. "He understands the mechanical side of the game and has an advanced approach to new-age analytics. He brings a contagious energy to the ballpark every day."

Schmidt earned his Bachelor's Degree in Kinesiology from Mississippi State in 2022 and his Master's Degree in Workforce Education Leadership in 2024. He earned additional certifications in Driveline Baseball's Foundations of Pitching and Rapsodo Sports Analytics Technology in 2022. 

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