Connor Dailey enters his third season as an assistant coach for the Catawba Valley baseball program in 2020-21.

Dailey comes to the Red Hawks after finishing a successful baseball career at nearby Lenoir-Rhyne University.

In 17 games this past season for the Bears, the 6-foot-1 right-handed relief pitcher recorded two wins and struck out 24 batters in 25.1 innings. He finished his three-year LR baseball career with a 7-2 record, two saves and 50 strikeouts.

Catawba Valley head baseball coach Paul Rozzelle had a previous relationship with Dailey after coaching him as a member of the Statesville Owls during the summer of 2015. Rozzelle also coached Dailey’s brother Matthew during the past two seasons at CVCC.

“We’re excited to add Connor to the staff because there is a relationship already built there,” Rozzelle said. “I really kind of fell in love with him as a competitor and a player. Obviously, we coached his younger brother, Matthew, who was here and a part of our program. There is a tie in. Me and him have been together on a baseball field before. His brother has played here and been a part of the Catawba Valley family. It’s a natural fit.”

Connor is thrilled at the opportunity given to him to join the Red Hawk baseball program.

"I'm excited to be start my coaching career here at CVCC,” Connor said. “I believe I'll fit right in with the culture. As a young coach, there is great opportunity here to learn from some great baseball minds."

Dailey will work alongside Catawba Valley pitching coach Kris Harvey, but Dailey will also have responsibilities and duties with position players.