Four of the head coaches of the teams at Pfeiffer University bring experience to their programs as former players. One of those reached a milestone in his coaching career this season.

Baseball head coach Craig Bolton '15, with a non-conference home win versus Roanoke, earned his 100th career coaching victory.

"Reaching 100 wins is an incredibly special and humbling moment in my coaching career," Bolton said.

"While it took time to get there, it ultimately reflects the dedication and effort of everyone involved in the program. Our players and coaching staff deserve the credit—none of it would be possible without their commitment and belief in what we are building."

Bolton added that the Pfeiffer baseball program has been "fortunate to have many pieces that align well together, and being able to celebrate that milestone with this particular group made the moment even more meaningful. It was a proud day for our program and a reminder of why we do what we do every day."

The win puts Bolton sixth all time amongst the eight baseball coaches in the program's history. He is behind Dusty Blake, who won 120 games from 2013 to 2017 for the Falcons.

Bolton has been with the Falcons for 11 seasons and the last four as its head baseball coach after five seasons as an assistant.

He also spent the summer of 2017 with the Forest City Owls of the Coastal Plain League as its pitching coach. In his time with the Owls, the team won the first and second half Western Division titles, along with the overall division title; the pitching staff had the best ERA in the league (3.82).

Bolton's journey in baseball, he said, started at a very young age with T-ball and coach-pitch leagues in Belwood and Polkville, N.C.

"I began playing travel baseball at eight years old and continued through Legion ball during high school," Bolton said. "Over the years, I competed with organizations throughout the greater Charlotte area, including teams based in Shelby, Concord, and Rock Hill, South Carolina."

As a sport, Bolton said he always loved baseball, but when he reached highschool and Legion ball, his passion for the game went to a higher level.

Bolton went to Crest High School, where he said his coach, Steven Hodge, was one of the most influential figures in his development.

"Coach Hodge held our program to a very high standard, but what stood out the most was his constant presence and commitment to his players," Bolton said.

"If someone wanted to improve, he was always at the field, ready to help. That environment allowed me to be part of some very talented and competitive teams, and it had a lasting impact on how I view player development and leadership in my current role."

Playing for coach Mike Grayson in American Legion ball "required a significant commitment," Bolton said.

"There were no summer trips and few other sports options, just baseball nearly every day. On non-game days, we practiced. That daily grind—showing up, working consistently, and getting better—helped prepare me for the demands of college baseball and taught me the value of discipline and accountability, two skills I hope my current and past players see as the foundation of our program."

He said playing for the Falcons was something he would always cherish, adding, "the opportunity to join a program with such rich tradition and history, and simply compete every day, was something I truly valued. I was fortunate to earn opportunities on the mound early in my career and worked hard to make the most of every chance I was given."

Bolton added playing at Pfeiffer taught him "what it means to be part of something bigger than yourself—how preparation, consistency, and trust in your teammates matter just as much as individual performance. Those lessons have stayed with me and continue to shape how I approach the game and the relationships I build with players."

He played for the Falcons for one season before suffering a career-ending injury, but he quickly transitioned into an assistant coach for the remainder of his undergraduate studies.

Bolton credits former head coaches Dusty Blake and Jordan Stampler as being two of his most influential mentors, saying he has been extremely fortunate to have them as influences.

"They allowed me to be directly involved in their daily work, giving me insight into their coaching philosophies, values, and responsibilities…Both provided invaluable opportunities for me to grow, not only as a coach but as a person," Bolton said.

"The trust they placed in me and the guidance they offered played a significant role in preparing me for this position. I am truly grateful for the experiences they shared with me and do not take those opportunities for granted."

Bolton graduated from Pfeiffer in 2015 with a B.A. in Communications and a Master of Science and Leadership in 2018.