USCB baseball coach departs to go back to his alma mater

Bryan Lewallyn, who led USC Beaufort baseball to its first NAIA World Series appearance and two other tournament berths in five years, is leaving the Lowcountry in hopes of producing similar success at his alma mater.

Lewallyn resigned late Thursday to accept an offer from Pensacola State College in Florida, where he pitched from 2001-03.

The Pensacola native went 162-105 during his USCB tenure, which began with a trip to the 2012 NAIA World Series in his first season. The Sand Sharks won 41 games that season, a mark that stood until this year's squad won 42.

Under Lewallyn's watch, the Sand Sharks have produced 10 All-Sun Conference first-team selections, including two that earned NAIA All-America recognition. Pitcher Michael Heesch was a second-team All-American in 2012, and outfielder Thomas Estopare garnered honorable mention status this season.

"Coach Lewallyn has had a huge impact on our baseball program for the past six years, and for that I am very grateful," USCB athletics director Quin Monahan said in a statement.

"I appreciate his time and commitment to our program. He has made a positive impact on many young men's lives through USCB baseball, and I know he will do the same at Pensacola State College. We wish Bryan and his family the very best."

A search for Lewallyn's replacement was to begin immediately.

Lewallyn, son of former major leaguer Dennis Lewallyn, served one year as a USCB assistant under Rick Sofield before getting the promotion when Sofield took a job inside the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization.

Following the 2012 NAIA World Series berth, when USCB finished seventh in the final NAIA rankings, the Sand Sharks were tournament participants in 2013. The third came this year, when USCB won its first Sun Conference title and Lewallyn was named the league's coach of the year.

This story was originally published July 8, 2016 at 6:32 PM with the headline "USCB baseball coach departs to go back to his alma mater."