MISENHEIMER — Pfeiffer University announced Friday that Craig Bolton, a Pfeiffer alumnus and member of the baseball coaching staff, has been promoted to head coach.
Bolton will take over for Jordan Stampler, who resigned earlier this month after nearly five seasons as head coach with the Falcons to join the coaching staff at Campbell University.
“I have been fortunate to learn under (former head coaches) Dusty Blake and Jordan Stampler in my time here at Pfeiffer,” Bolton said in an official press release by the university. “I can never thank those guys enough for the opportunities that they offered me while being able to grow as a person and a coach. They brought so much passion and knowledge to our program and always put our student-athletes first and I look forward to building upon that.”
Bolton, a native of Shelby, served as a student-assistant for the Pfeiffer baseball team before his graduation in 2015. He spent the next two years as a volunteer assistant coach before taking over as the team’s pitching coach and recruiting coordinator in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and want to thank Director of Athletics Danielle Lafferty and President Scott Bullard in trusting me to lead the baseball program here at Pfeiffer,” Bolton continued. “There is such a deep history within this program and I have been fortunate enough to be a part of it as a player and as a coach. To be the next head coach is truly an honor and I look forward in continuing the success of the Pfeiffer baseball program both on and off the field.”
During his time as the Falcons’ pitching coach, the team’s pitching staff had the second-lowest ERA in the USA South Conference. In addition, Bolton was a mentor for Nick Richmond, an Eastern College Athletic Conference Most Valuable Player who went on to sign a free agent contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.
Before his playing career was cut short due to injuries, Bolton earned second–team All-Conference Carolinas honors with the Flacons, posting a 2.11 ERA with six saves in 21 innings during the 2012 season.
“Craig has served under great leadership over the years that have allowed him to flourish and have helped him develop what he needs to be successful,” Pfeiffer Director of Athletics Danielle Lafferty said in the university’s press release. “As an alumnus of the program and someone who has worked their way from volunteer assistant to being a full-time assistant within the program, we believe Craig is the best fit to lead our baseball program. He understands the culture we have established and the plans we have for the future.”