Michael Bender begins his second season at the helm of the Cavalier program. Bender coached the Cavaliers to an 18-31 record in his first campaign. Previous to his hiring as Head Coach, Bender served as top assistant for five years and during that tenure, Montreat College averaged 35 wins a season and made three regional appearances and a conference tournament championship final.

Bender has coached in numerous summer leagues throughout the country, most recently as the Head
Coach of the Fort Collins Foxes of the Mountain Collegiate League in Colorado. Bender has also coached and played in the German Bundesliga with the Saarlouis Hornets as well as the Southern
Collegiate League with the Asheville Redbirds.

Bender played collegiately at South Georgia Community College as well as finishing his career at Georgia College after being nominated as a two time Presidential selection in the Peach Belt Conference. Bender received his Associates Degree and his Bachelors Degree in Health Sciences from these two institutions respectively.  Bender currently resides in West Asheville.

 

Coach Ryan Smith enters his second season with the Cavaliers Baseball program.

Ryan Smith is currently the Head Coach of the Asheville Redbirds Summer Baseball Program of the SCBL (Southern Collegiate Baseball League). During the 2010 summer, the Redbirds recorded the most wins in program history, won the Western Division Title, and were runner-ups in the SCBL Championship Series. Coach Smith's duties with the Cavaliers will include working with infielders
and hitters along with helping with recruiting and working with the Developmental

team.

During the 2008-2009 season, Coach Smith served as a Volunteer Assistant with Mars Hill College, where he attended and played from 2004-2008, earning a BS Degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Management. While at Mars Hill, Coach Smith's responsibilities included: working with outfielders and hitters, coaching 1st base, and assisting in recruiting.

Smith is originally from Stallings, NC and now lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

Aaron Hughes is serving his first season as Pitching Coach with the Cavalier's Baseball program. 

Hughes is a graduate from Montreat College (2006-2010) with a BS in Computer Information Systems. He was a four year pitcher for the Montreat baseball team.  In 2010 he took on a leadership role and served as Senior Captain.

Hughes is originally from Murphy, North Carolina but currently resides in Black Mountain, NC.