Murray State University Athletics
Baseball
- Title:
- Volunteer Assistant Coach
- Email:
- gcrawford2@murraystate.edu
- Phone:
- (270) 809-3869
Grayson Crawford enters his second season as an assistant coach with the Racers in 2017-18 after spending the 2015-16 season as a volunteer assistant with the program. It will also be Crawford's first season as the recruiting coordinator.
In 2017, Crawford helped the Racers to their most wins since 2009 (29) and the seventh-most for a single season in program history. MSU also made its first trip to the OVC Tournament since 2010. Crawford also had a pair of catchers sign deals with Major League teams as Tyler Lawrence signed a free agent contract with the Milwaukee Brewers and Kipp Moore inked with the Philadelphia Phillies.
As the pitching coordinator in 2017, Crawford coached MLB draft pick Derrik Watson, who was selected in the 25th round by the Colorado Rockies. While Austin Dubsky, Chad Gendron, Jack Hranec and John Lollar all signed with Independent League teams.
Crawford came to MSU after spending the 2015 season at Lindsey Wilson College as the lead assistant and recruiting coordinator for the Blue Raiders.
While at LWC, Crawford helped guide the Blue Raiders to their first appearance in the NAIA Baseball World Series in 2015, and a program-best No. 10 ranking in the country. The Blue Raiders captured the Kingsport Bracket Championship and the Mid-South Conference Tournament title for just the second time in program history last season.
Crawford coached the MSC Player of the Year and NAIA First Team All-American Alex Bautista in 2015. Bautista was later selected in the 22nd round of the MLB Draft by the Chicago Cubs. Crawford also coached Washington Nationals signee Carlos Pena.
Crawford came to Lindsey Wilson after two seasons as the head coach at Christian County High School in Hopkinsville. He finished his first season with a 26-15 record and won the district championship, leading Christian County to the Region 2 Championship game. His second season, the Colonels went 21-20 and finished as the District 8 runner-up and again appeared in the Region 2 championship game.
Prior to coaching at Christian County, Crawford was an assistant coach at Pensacola State College (Fla.) for two seasons where he helped 27 student-athletes move on to play at four-year institutions.
Crawford was also the head coach and assistant general manager for three seasons for the Hoptown Hoppers, a collegiate summer wood bat league team. The Hoppers won back-to-back Ohio Valley League Championships in 2012 and 2013 under Crawford.
Crawford has spent time as an assistant coach at Stillman College (Ala.) as well, helping the program win the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season and tournament championships.
Crawford graduated from Stillman with a Bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2010. He and his wife, Lee, who is a 2009 graduate of Murray State, have two children, Ava Gray and Evan.
