Bass ends Bishops career with record-setting spring, headed to UNC

Considerably more than his fancy 1.219 OPS ranked “off the charts” for former Hunt High varsity baseball standout Tyson Bass in his senior season at North Carolina Wesleyan University this spring.

Bass, a star third baseman and right-handed pitcher for the Warriors from 2017 until 2020 when COVID ended his senior season prematurely, matter-of-factly concluded a record-setting college career in off-the-chart style.

“Looking back, it’s kind of surprising,” the 21-year-old Bass reflected upon his four-year career in a recent interview. “But in the moment, it’s kind of like, ‘Wow! I can’t believe all that happened.’”

Just what happened?

His final accolade was being proclaimed the NCWU 2023-24 Male Athlete of the Year — a splendid complement to being recognized NCAA Division III All-America first team by the American Baseball Coaches Association.

Bass joins 1980s Fike High graduates Rusty Dail (Fike) and Doug Flowers (Fike) in that exclusive group.

MORE ACCOLADES

He was also honored as the USA South Conference Player of the Year in patrolling the outfield for the USA South Conference champs for the second straight year and regional qualifiers for the third time in the last four years. The 2024 team lost in the regional championship game, 6-5, to Christopher Newport, which wound up the Division III World Series runner-up.

With the bat, Bass established single-season standards with his OPS and 21 home runs. He departed in the top five all-time for Wesleyan with 174 runs batted in, 79 single-season hits and 89 stolen bases.

Bass is the Bishops all-time leader with 227 runs scored. He also possesses the career home run record with 48.

In his senior season, the right-handed hitter batted .359 with 79 hits, 70 runs scored, 57 RBIs, 161 total bases and 21 homers.

Bass understandably considers the All-America accolade the most special.

“A lot of people can play (in Div. III),” he justified the magnitude of the award. “They can really play.”

.330 CAREER HITTER

Bass wound up with a .330 career batting average, hitting .290 as a freshman, .320 as a sophomore, .330 as a junior and .359 as a senior. His homers totaled five as a freshman, 11 as a sophomore, 11 as a junior and 21 as a senior.

Tyson’s NCWU teams won 133 games in four years, including 36 each his junior and senior seasons. The count was 33 as a freshman and 28 as a sophomore.

Bass went undaunted as his exploits attracted more attention and his numbers kept climbing.

“I was just playing the game with the best friends in the world,” he reasoned. “There was nothing to be nervous about.”

The comment speaks to a refreshing personality that hints of being considered quiet spoken. Bass’ approach is low key. He deals with and deflects life’s punches, then moves on. He might respond with a grin or a smile, but loud laughs are seldom heard. Bass doesn’t waste words.

After Hunt, he could have chosen UNC Pembroke or a number of junior colleges, but Wesleyan was the front-runner all along.

‘PERFECT PLACE’

“Wesleyan was the perfect place,” Bass expressed. “I will never regret it and I wouldn’t change for the world. Sometimes, (the baseball) is really good and, sometimes, subpar. The top teams can play.”

The Bishops ranked No. 19 nationally in Div. III when they entered the regional.

And Bass’ eye-popping achievements earned him post-grad opportunities. He graduated from NCWU with a degree in business administration. Of his 3.0 GPA, Bass quipped: “It was good enough.”

And his classroom performance and baseball landed Bass an opportunity to attend graduate school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as play baseball for the Tar Heels on a fifth-year basis.

“When I got done at Wesleyan, there was no transfer portal,” Bass, the son of Julia and Chris Bass of Lucama, expressed. “I wanted to say I played for a prolific school. Going to school now, I think, is beneficial for playing pro baseball.”

GOING TO CAROLINA

Bass is aware he will have to earn playing time and a position at Carolina. His opportunity was helped by the fact that UNC head coach Scott Forbes played at Wesleyan.

“I want to go to Carolina and play well, really good,” Bass said. “I want to have a good year, help win some games and win the College World Series. Carolina can’t be that bad.”

Bass will join former Fike High standout Hunter Stokely, who did not play for the Heels last season because of a broken hand. Stokely will be a fifth-year performer and Bass’ roommate.

Bass is excited about the situation and added: “(Stokely) is ready to go.”

At Hunt, Bass was hailed the 3-A Big East Conference Player of the Year and twice earned all-conference acclaim. COVID wiped out his senior year — when Hunt head coach Jon Smith expected a big senior year from Bass.

“That was going to be his coming out party,” Smith remarked. “His power, I saw that coming his junior year. He got faster and really learned the swing. He has really become a scientist when it comes down to the swing.

“Tyson loves to play; he loves baseball. He was always finding ways to get better. The ones that usually love the game and are willing to do the work rise to the top eventually.”

In 2025, Bass’ younger brother, Ryan, will be a senior at Hunt and returns as the starting catcher.

CREDITS HUNT

Bass considered himself well-prepared to test the college game because: “Coach Smith does a great job of teaching the game.”

Bass left Hunt at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds and in his words: “Skinny as a rail.”

Look at him now: 6-3 and ranging in weight from 210-215 pounds,

“I gained weight  and have gotten faster and stronger,” he reported. “I was not really expecting to be a power hitter. I thought I was adequate, but I never thought I would be slugging.”

Has to be more to the story of a player increasing his home run output by 10 (11 to 21) in one season and boosting his average every year. Simply put, Bass improved every season. The progress extended to his outfield play.

He attempted to pitch for Wesleyan, but admitted: “I couldn’t throw a strike.” But, without a doubt, he possessed a strong throwing arm from the outfield and Bass contended his throws were usually accurate.

“I was trying to play and pitch as a freshman,” he said. “In the fall of my junior year, I pitched, but never threw a strike.”

OUTFIELD TO STAY

Bass returned to the outfield to stay, and the Bishops benefited big time.

He did not consider himself a top-shelf prospect when he came to Wesleyan, but believed he could play and contribute. The result was positive.

He found what he described as a “great coaching staff” awaiting him. He extends huge credit to a pair of coaches, who had worked professionally and have returned to professional coaching.

“They figured out I came with ability, but I hadn’t figured out how to use it,” he explained “They taught me how to move correctly and think through the game and just not play it. But I wouldn’t say I changed dramatically.”

But some might say he did. NCWU head coach Greg Clifton, in his sixth season, spoke of Bass with high praise.

“He is the most talented young man I have ever coached,” Clifton said. “We always knew he was super talented. He’s the type of young man that works hard, but doesn’t put on that he’s a hard worker.”

Bass was tried at third base and shortstop before he found a home. Because he possessed a cannon for an arm, Clifton commented he was given a shot at pitching.

But because of his bat, Bass was going to play somewhere.

“We figured right field was his spot,” Clifton continued. “He looked very comfortable there. He had a plus arm, plus speed. Tyson looked pretty natural.”

Bass revealed that from his Wesleyan start, he batted in the lead-off spot until the second half of his final season. Then, he was moved to No. 2.

“It was better for the team, “ said Clifton. “It worked out for the team — and him. He hits the ball extremely hard.”

‘A TREAT FOR US’

The head coach disclosed that Bass could rub people the wrong way because of his enthusiasm, but explained: “He knew what was expected of him. He had a good support system and the team was really close; he rolled with it.”

As enjoyable as watching Bass develop as a player, said Clifton, was seeing him grow into a young man. Clifton also commended Bass’ family.

“He has been a treat for us,” Clifton assured. “You love to have a player like him on your team, and you hate to play against him.”

Bass’ last preparation before traveling to Chapel Hill was journeying to State College, Pennsylvania, to play in a draft summer league.

He described the league as “well known” and said it consisted of six teams. The teams played six days a week. The intent is to better prepare aspiring players who desire to be drafted by a Major League Baseball team.

“It was a new experience,” Bass commented. “It was basically professional baseball. I did all right, but could have done more.”

Neither Bass nor former Hunt teammate Chase Waddell, a standout at Barton College and with the Wilson Tobs summer collegiate team, were drafted. Both were approached by representatives from the Kansas City Royals, but neither had the opportunity to sign as a free agent.

Bass shrugged it off. Maybe there was a slight trace of disappointment.

“I wouldn’t say I was disappointed,” Bass declared. “It would have been nice, but I am not heartbroken.”

But his dream to play in the outfield and start with a major league team lives — as will his NCWU feats.

The post Bass ends Bishops career with record-setting spring, headed to UNC first appeared on Restoration NewsMedia .