Mark Crocco will enter his 7th year at Erskine College as the Head Baseball Coach in 2024. Crocco came to Erskine after 7 years at the Division I level as an Assistant Coach at The United States Air Force Academy (Mountain West Conference) and Presbyterian College (Big South Conference). In 2018, Crocco took over as the Head Coach at Erskine College.
During his tenure at Erskine College, Crocco has had 6 consecutive winning seasons in a powerhouse-loaded Southeast Region. Crocco has already amassed 152 wins including 81 wins in nationally recognized Conference Carolinas. Crocco has guided his teams to 23 Conference Carolinas All-League Selections including 5 All-Region Selections, 2 All-Americans and 4 pro contracts signed.
Crocco now has 4 players from his 2nd recruiting class at Erskine which was ranked the #1 recruiting class in Division II by Perfect Game who have signed pro contracts and are currently playing professional baseball. Allan Saathoff (Seattle Mariners), Dayan Reinoso (Los Angeles Angels), Livan Reinoso (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Cal Bocchino, who is playing Independent Baseball in the Pioneer Baseball League for the Great Falls Voyagers.
In 2021 the Fleet had the Freshman of the Year and in 2023 Erskine College had its first Player of the Year since 2010.
The 2023 season was taken to new heights as the Flying Fleet had a historic run in their campaign. The Fleet won 5 games against nationally ranked teams, including wins over #8 SAC Champion Newberry, a home sweep of Conference Carolinas Tournament Champion Mount Olive, and a road win over 2021 National Champion, Wingate University. The Erskine offense finished the 2023 season at #1 in Conference Carolinas and #4 in all of Division II in home runs with 89 on the season. Erskine bats were also #1 in home runs per game in Conference Carolinas and #5 in the country in that category as well (1.82). The Fleet had the Conference Carolinas Player of The Year in Dale Francis who ranked in the top 10 in the country in Batting Average (.455). Ashby Smith finished the season #5 in the country in doubles (23). The Fleet had 4 1st team all-league performers in Johnny Hummel (Relief Pitcher), Christian Rivera (Designated Hitter), Dale Francis (First Base) and Ashby Smith (Second Base). The Fleet also had 2 second team selections in the Outfield with Armando Becerra and Tariq Bacon.
In 2017 Crocco was named “Top Recruiter” in The Big South Conference by D1 Baseball. The team saw national success against SEC powerhouses Auburn and Alabama. The Blue Hose 2017 squad also broke the school’s Division I records for wins (32) and Runs (323). That season also saw Crocco’s first high school signee, Hayden Deal, sign a professional contract with the Atlanta Braves and was named Pitcher of The Year in the organization in 2018 & 2019. The Blue Hose also had major postseason success in 2017 and played in the Big South Conference Championship Game. In 2015 and 2016, Presbyterian notched wins over ACC, SEC, and nationally ranked opponents. The Blue Hose beat in-state powerhouses Clemson and South Carolina in 2015 and also tallied wins over #22 Indiana and #7 UCF. PC ended the season by winning its final 7 mid-week games and won 21 non-conference games including a winning record against all in-state rivals. The Blue Hose also tied the Division I school record for wins in 2015. In 2016, the Blue Hose tied the Division 1 school record in wins again and Crocco’s infield ranked second in Big South in fielding percentage (.970). The Blue Hose set Division 1 school records in runs scored (321) and doubles (114) that year as well. In Crocco’s first year at PC, he was charged with the responsibility of running the Blue Hose infield. PC set a Presbyterian Big South and Division I record for fielding percentage, fielding at a .972 clip in the 2013 campaign which ranked second in the conference. PC also tied the Division I school record for wins in Crocco’s first year on staff.
Crocco arrived at PC after two seasons as an assistant coach at The United States Air Force Academy. With the Falcons, Crocco worked with the Falcons hitters and infielders, helping the Falcons to their most wins since 2002 in his first year. He also guided the squad to four All-Mountain West Conference selections and a school record for fielding percentage in 2011.
In Crocco’s first year at the helm in 2018, the Fleet had a Perfect Game top-10 ranked recruiting class and had a winning season including wins over the #1 team in the country. The Fleet went 22-8 at home and had an All-Region selection in Austin Mapes who led the country in hits for a majority of the season. In 2019, the Fleet garnered the Perfect Game #1 recruiting class in the country and continued with more momentum on the field with increases in win percentage, a deeper Conference Carolinas postseason run and a regional appearance as the #1 seed in the NCCAA Tournament. The Fleet continued dominance of all-conference selections, including 4 First Team All-Conference Carolinas selections and another All-Region selection in Drew Yniesta. In a shortened 2020 season, the Fleet were 17-8-1 on the season and were riding a 9-game winning streak before the year was cut short due to COVID-19. In 2021 the Fleet continued their momentum and won 19 games in Conference Carolinas. The Fleet had 5 All-League Selections including another All Region Selection. Erskine had the Freshman of The Year in Dalton Reeves and Crocco’s first All-American at Erskine College, Livan Reinoso. In 2022, Erskine improved again in win totals (28) and had 4 All-League Selections. Erskine beat the defending National Champions and #1 Team in the nation, Wingate University, the eventual National Champions, North Greenville, and #24 UNC Pembroke. Erskine also eclipsed the 100 stolen bases milestone, totaling 114 on the year. After the 2022 season, Allan Saathoff signed with the Seattle Mariners and Cal Bocchino signed with the Great Falls Voyagers (Independent Baseball).
In the summers of 2011 and 2012, Crocco's duties also included running camps at The Air Force Academy. Crocco also worked numerous camps all over the country for organizations such as Top 96 Baseball, Head First Honor Roll Camps, an numerous Baseball Academys at ACC/SEC programs. Crocco played second base for the Wingate Bulldogs (2005-2009) and spent two years prior to Air Force work at his alma mater as an assistant coach, helping the Bulldogs Win the 2010 South Atlantic Conference Championship.
Crocco earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in sport management from Wingate University in 2010. Crocco resides in Fountain Inn, South Carolina with his wife, Whitney, and daughter, Charleston Lynne.
