THE MOREHEAD CITY MARLINS
On the field, the Marlins have been one of the most successful franchises in the Coastal Plain League. The Marlins have won four first half titles, 6 second half titles, and three East Division Championships (18,19,21). The Marlins have won back to back Coastal Plain League Championships in 2018 and 2019. The two championships rank them second among active franchises.
In addition to the Marlins team success, the Marlins have had nine players in the organizations history make their Major League Baseball debuts. Headlining the Marlins organization in the majors is NLCS MVP, All-Star Chris Taylor in addition to former first round (8th overall) draft pick, Cal Quantrill (Colorado Rockies).
SAM CAREL, HEAD COACH
THE PEOPLES CHAMP
Head Coach Sam Carel will return in 2025 to lead the Morehead City Marlins on the field as they look to capture their third Coastal Plain League Championship. The 2025 season will mark the fourth consecutive season, and fifth overall, for Carel as the leader of the Morehead City Marlins baseball program.
In his four years with the Marlins, Carel has an overall record of 113-77, along with capturing regular season Eastern Division titles in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, the Coastal Plain League named Carel the CPL Coach of the Year. At the helm in 2022, Carel led the Marlins to their best regular season record in program history at 37-10 overall. He came to the Marlins as an assistant in 2013 before taking over as the head coach for one season in 2014.
“With the championship culture that has been established, combined with the fun alter egos like the Booty Divers, Motorboaters and Fish Tacos, to the electric fan atmosphere, Big Rock Stadium is an incredible place to be,” said Carel. “It is an honor to return to coach the Marlins in 2025 and I cannot wait to get back to Morehead City to build upon the success our guys have had the last several seasons.”
Carel came to the Marlins after coaching stops as a head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University (2014–2017) and Jefferson College (MO) (2006–2014) where he led the Vikings to back to back NJCAA Division 1 World Series Appearances in 2011 and 2012. Carel was also an assistant coach in 2003 for the Missouri State Bears baseball team that was a participant in the NCAA Division College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
