Murray State University Athletics
Staff Directory
- Title:
- Director of Player Development
- Email:
Hayden Cross enters his second season at Murray State in 2026 as the program’s Director of Player Development and catchers coach, bringing an energetic player-first approach that has helped fuel the Racers’ continued rise on the national stage. Cross played an important role in Murray State’s historic 2025 run to the College World Series, while also helping guide catcher Will Vierling to a First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection before Vierling was chosen in the 11th round of the MLB Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies. In his first year with the Racers, Cross helped lead the development of a deep and accomplished roster, as 12 Murray State players earned a combined 18 MVC honors and awards.
Cross joined the program after serving as a graduate assistant at Appalachian State in 2024, where he coached catchers and assisted with the Mountaineers’ hitters. His work with the offense contributed to one of the most productive seasons in school history, as Appalachian State set a single-season program record with 96 home runs and led the Sun Belt Conference with a .919 team OPS.
A former standout catcher for Appalachian State, Cross earned All-Sun Belt Second Team honors in 2022 and established himself as one of the league’s top defensive catchers. He caught the third-most runners stealing in the conference in 2022 and led the Sun Belt in runners caught stealing in 2023. As a senior, Cross posted a .327/.434/.514 slash line and helped lead the Mountaineers to the Sun Belt Tournament semifinals for the first time since joining the conference.
