Stas Swerdzewski, known as “Coach Stas,” is entering his 7th year as the head baseball coach at Catawba Ridge High School. In 2019, he was named the first head coach in program history and has led Catawba Ridge’s rapid rise as one of the top baseball programs in the state of South Carolina. Under the leadership of Coach Stas, Catawba Ridge has won over 70% of their games, amassing a 116-48-2 record. In 2023, just the 4th year of the program, the Copperheads won the 4A state championship. In 2025, Catawba Ridge claimed the 5A-Division II Upper State Championship but fell just short of their second State Championship in 3 years.

Coach Stas has over 20 years of coaching experience. Prior to leading Catawba Ridge, he previously served as head coach at Nation Ford High School (2016-2019), assistant coach at Nation Ford High School (2015 and 2009), assistant coach at York Comprehensive High School (2011-2014), and assistant coach at Winthrop University (2005-2008).

He played collegiately at the College of Central Florida (1999-2000) and Winthrop University (2001-2002) where he earned All-Conference honors in each of his four years.

Born and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, Coach Stas played scholastically at Leon High School where he helped lead the Lions to the 1998 5A state championship in his senior year.