RICHMOND, Ky. – The most wins by a Colonel team in more than 30 years, an ASUN Conference Championship, academic excellence, nationally recognized recruiting success, increased fan interest, and a brand new playing surface and videoboard – the Eastern Kentucky University baseball program is thriving under head coach Chris Prothro.
 
"Coach Prothro has done more than build a successful baseball team; he's built a program," Vice President and Director of Athletics Matt Roan said.  "In fairly short order, Pro has won a division championship and the most games in a year since 1990, as well as stake claim to the three highest cumulative semester grade point averages on record."
 
In 2022, Prothro led the Colonels to the ASUN West Division Championship.  EKU finished tied for the best record in the conference, won more conference games than any previous Eastern Kentucky University squad and finished the season with a 38-20 record.  The Colonels won all three of their games in pool play to earn a spot in the ASUN Tournament semifinals, which included two teams that advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
 
Under the guidance of Prothro and his staff, Kendal Ewell was a semifinalist for the 2022 Golden Spikes Award, which is given each year to the top amateur baseball player in the country, and Will Brian was chosen as a first team All-American, was a finalist for the Stopper of the Year Award and was drafted in the 10th round by the New York Yankees.
 
EKU's 2023 recruiting class was recognized by Collegiate Baseball News and ranked higher than such programs as South Florida, Wake Forest, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas State, Middle Tennessee, Washington, South Alabama and Georgia Southern among others.
 
Richmond, Madison County and fans throughout the region have taken notice of a program on the rise.  EKU set a ticket sales record in 2021, and then increased that number by 61 percent to set a new mark in 2022.  Over 8,000 fans attended games at Earle Combs Stadium last season, the most in more than 15 years.  Excitement around the 2023 campaign led to a new record for season tickets sold.
 
"It's been a wonderful first two years," Prothro said.  "It has been everything I expected it to be, and hoped it to be.  The support from our president Dr. David McFaddin, our athletics director Matt Roan, all the support staff, the student body and the fans has been tremendous.  It's been a rewarding almost three years and I'd certainly sign up to do it again."
 
As attention turned to the 2023 season, the Colonels were ranked 46th in Collegiate Baseball's Fabulous 50 NCAA Division I Pre-Season Poll.  It is the first time the program has received a pre-season ranking from the publication.  EKU was the highest ranked ASUN team in the top-50 and was ranked higher than such programs as South Carolina (47), Alabama (49) and BYU (50).  Others who did not crack the top-50 include Washington, Arizona State, Notre Dame, Southern California, Coastal Carolina, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana.
 
"This program is moving forward with very high expectations," said Prothro.  "I think that has everything to do with the people who are in support of the program and the people who are in it.  The student-athletes have made it a pleasure for all of us to come to work every day.  Because of who they are and how they go about their business, it's fun to try to do something special together."
 
Investments into the program by the university have continued in recent years.  Following the construction of Earle Combs Stadium and the Baseball Player Development Facility in 2017, a brand new artificial surface was installed after the 2021 season.  Following the 2022 season, Trackman was installed at Earle Combs Stadium.  Trackman, which is used by every MLB team but not by all ASUN Conference teams, provides the technology to track spin rate, release angle, vertical movement and horizontal movement for pitchers; exit speed, launch angle and distance for hitters; and much more.  In addition to being a valuable developmental tool internally, Trackman also provides valuable information about the Colonels to MLB scouts.  Most recently a brand new Daktronics videoboard was installed and will be operational for the 2023 season.
 
Due to the success he has brought in all facets of the program, Prothro received a new four-year contract following the 2022 season.  The contract runs through the 2026 season.
 
"The notion that he has built an outstanding staff and roster full of young men that he continues developing into leaders is apparent," said Roan.  "I am incredibly proud that he is in charge of EKU Baseball and I look forward to supporting him and bearing witness to his ability to take the Colonels to even greater heights.  Pro, his staff, student-athletes, and family are deserving of our support and I can't wait to see Colonel Nation fill Earle Combs Stadium this spring."