TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Coastal Carolina senior Blake Barthol hit a 2-0 fastball for a home run in his first career at-bat in a Chanticleer uniform.

It's safe to say Barthol's collegiate career since that home run has worked out better than he could have ever imagined. The second baseman will be in Coastal's lineup for the 213th consecutive game when the Chanticleers face Northern Illinois in the first round of the Tallahassee Regional at Mike Martin Field at Dick Howser Stadium on Friday at 8 p.m. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

During his career, the Chanticleers have won 146 games, played in four NCAA Regional championships, won the 2025 NCAA Conway Regional championship as the regional host, and played in the championship series of the 2025 College World Series.

Illustrating his value during Coastal's four-year run of success, Barthol has been a constant in the Chanticleers' starting lineup since April 29, 2023.

Along the way, Barthol has rewritten the school's record book. Earlier this season, he became the eighth player in school history to reach 250 career hits. Barthol currently stands third on the school's all-time RBI list with 184 and is just three shy of moving into third place. He is one of only four players in program history to score 200 career runs.

"Blake Barthol has been a four-year starter for us, and it's bittersweet to think it's almost over," Chanticleers head coach Kevin Schnall said. "He's the kind of player you don't come across often in this profession because you know exactly what you're going to get from him every single day. His consistency, toughness, leadership and relentless work ethic have helped cement the standard of our culture."

While confident in his baseball abilities, all Barthol wanted was an opportunity to play every day when making his college decision.

"Looking back, I never really thought about setting records," Barthol said. "I always imagined myself playing well and playing every day. I hoped stats and accomplishments would come with that. I was not highly recruited during high school. I had a few schools near home recruit me. Coastal gave me an opportunity to do that and play at a high level."

Raised in the eastern Pennsylvania community of Allentown, Barthol always knew he wanted to go south to play collegiately. He certainly found a home at Coastal.

Barthol grew up in a family of high-level athletes and chose to play the family sport, as his dad, Blake Sr., put a bat in his hands before he could walk. The younger Barthol often watches videos of his 3-year-old self wreaking havoc in the basement of the family home as he began to perfect his swing.

His father, who played baseball at Eastern Kentucky, was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 21st round of the 1995 MLB Draft as a catcher. Like his son at Coastal, Blake Sr. was a four-year starter in college who earned all-conference honors as both a junior and senior. He batted .330 during his senior season with six home runs and 46 RBIs. His mother, Amy, played both field hockey and softball at EKU, while his younger brother, Bo, recently completed his junior season at Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. A left-handed hitting center fielder, Bo hit .319 with 43 hits and 19 RBIs in 2026. Continuing the family tradition, Bo has played in 134 of his first 135 collegiate games. His sister, Jaylee, graduated from West Virginia University.

"I'd say my dad and our entire family are pretty close," Barthol said. "We all grew up playing as many sports as possible throughout the year and just fell in love with baseball."
Barthol graduated from Coastal on May 7 with a degree in business management. Because of a series against Old Dominion, he was honored by the university in a special ceremony for spring sport student-athletes.

Barthol began his collegiate career as the Chanticleers' everyday third baseman before moving to the right side of the infield as a sophomore. With a career fielding percentage better than .963, he has anchored Coastal's defense throughout his career. One of five Sun Belt teams to advance to one of the 16 NCAA baseball regionals in 2026, Coastal ranks third in the conference with a .979 fielding percentage.

While Barthol has enjoyed a remarkable career since arriving at Coastal in the fall of 2022, he has been especially productive in his first three NCAA Regional appearances.

Heading into this weekend's regional tournament in Tallahassee, Barthol is hitting .333 (10-for-30) in regional play with six walks and nine runs scored.

Don't expect Barthol or any of his veteran teammates to be intimidated when they arrive to play at one of college baseball's cathedrals this weekend. During the first three years of his career, the infielder helped lead Coastal to regional championship games against Duke in 2023 and Clemson in 2024 before breaking through against East Carolina last season.

The Chanticleers' regional title in 2025 sent them to Auburn for the first super regional appearance of Barthol's career.

"Blake has been a tremendous example for the younger guys in our program," Schnall said. "He's made a lasting impact both on and off the field, and our program is in a better place because he was a part of it. I said this at the beginning of the season: If we are going to be a championship-caliber team, Blake Barthol is going to be a big part of it."

It was at Auburn in 2025 that Coastal defeated the Tigers twice on their home field to advance to the College World Series.

"Beating Auburn to go to Omaha is my most memorable Coastal Carolina moment," Barthol said. "At Coastal Carolina, one of the goals is to make it to Omaha."

Barthol will always remember his first career home run, earning his first trip to Omaha and the opportunity to play on college baseball's field of dreams.

"When there are 25,000-plus people watching you compete at a high level, it's pretty cool."