DURHAM, N.C. – The Coastal Plain League (CPL) also announced this afternoon that Wilson closer Casey O’Dell was honored with the TrackMan 2025 CPL Reliever of the Year.

“I am humbled to receive this honor,” said O’Dell. “This is a great testament to the work I’ve put in over the years. I was blessed to be a Wilson Tob. It was exactly what I needed headed into my senior year. As a closer, I only pitch when we are tied or ahead late in the game. So for me to win this award, it goes to show how great the rest of the team was at doing their job.”

The 6-4, 215-pound righty made a total of 17 appearances out of the bullpen for the Tobs in the regular season, earning a 3-2 record with 8 saves. The latter was tied for the most across the league. He worked 23 2/3 innings on the mound and gave up 16 hits, five runs and just two earned, which gave him a very low 0.76 ERA. Also in that time, O’Dell walked nine and struck out 22. The junior at Florida Southern also finished the regular season with a 1.06 WHIP and a BAA of .186.

“Casey was not only our closer on the mound but also our leader in the clubhouse,” said Tobs head coach Ted Bergquist. “He was the one players looked to. The one with the right words to pick someone up when needed, and push a teammate when needed. Casey is the ultimate competitor, with incredible drive to be best at anything he puts his mind to. This make up is what makes him a great closer. Then, for the playoff run, Casey stepped it up to another level under the postseason lights. He was dominant in our chase to win the Petitt Cup Championship.”

And dominant he was. In fact, O’Dell was virtually untouchable for the Tobs in the postseason. In 5 1/3 innings across four appearances, he surrendered just five hits and walked one, while striking out seven. He maintained a perfect 0.00 ERA throughout the playoffs and earned four more saves.

“It means the world to all of us on the team to send the town of Wilson off on top,” commented O’Dell. “Our run was nothing short of storybook. We were hit with adversity at every opportunity but we finished on top because we played for each other. We had a chemistry that is hard to find in summer-ball, even at school. Every single guy who donned the Tobacco Gold was crucial to our championship.”

Earlier in the season, O’Dell was an easy selection to the CPL All-Star Game as a member of the East All-Stars. He went on to pitch one inning of no-hit baseball and walked one to do his part in the East’s 6-0 victory over the West.

“Being a part of the CPL All-Star Game was one of my favorite moments from this past summer” O’Dell remembered. “The excellence and overall camaraderie from all the guys across the league is first-class among summer baseball.”

While the league will be looking to unveil its All-CPL Teams for the 2025 season next week, you can be sure that O’Dell has his name among those on the First Team All-CPL pitching staff. All player awards are selected after gathering feedback from head coaches and league officials, as well as seasonal statistical analysis.

“I’ll forever cherish my time in Wilson,” O’Dell ended. “Not for the personal stats or accolades but for the people, and the love and joy I rediscovered for the game of baseball.”

About Coastal Plain League:
The Coastal Plain League is the nation’s premier and most innovative summer collegiate baseball league. The CPL is currently comprised of 15 franchises playing in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. To date, the CPL has had over 1,800 alumni drafted, and 201 alums make their Major League debut. Most notable alumni include Justin Verlander, Ryan Zimmerman, Mark Reynolds, Kevin Youkilis, Chris Taylor, Alec Bohm, Jake Cave, Chas McCormick and NFL Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @CPLBaseball.

About Capitol Broadcasting Company:
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, WRAL Digital and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.Fo