From Charlottesville to Omaha: Dean Mihos Joins On Deck With The Tom Sox

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.– In June, Coastal Carolina’s Dean Mihos joined a short list of former Tom Sox players to participate in the College World Series, and he joined an even shorter list to hit a home run in it.

That moment came on a 2-1 count in the bottom of the second inning in game two of the championship series against LSU.

“I kind of blacked out,” Mihos said. “It all happened so fast.”

Fresh off of a championship in the Valley League in the summer of 2024, Mihos was two games away from getting another piece of hardware in Omaha.

Getting the opportunity to compete at the highest level of the collegiate game was a dream come true for Mihos. An event he grew up watching turned out to be as larger-than-life as he expected it to be.

“We are there to win, but at the same time, trying to soak up all the other stuff… So it really was something special and something I won’t take for granted the rest of my life,” Mihos said.

Mihos added that Togetherness was a factor that propelled both the Chanticleers and Tom Sox to success. They were two teams with a number of extremely talented players that found a way to play for something bigger than themselves.

Tom Sox head coach Randy Tomlin agreed with what Mihos thought, as well. When I asked him about the reason last year’s squad was able to persevere and take home the Jim Lineweaver Cup, he responded with words such as talented and perseverant.

“They really liked each other, and they played for each other,” Tomlin said of the 2024 roster.

Mihos said he still talks to some of his Tom Sox teammates – like Daniel Powell and Colby Wallace – on a regular basis, and even sent them text messages to trash talk during the spring season.

The importance of teamwork and focus is important no matter the season, according to Mihos. He said taking care of yourself both in the mind and body is difficult but necessary for success.

Thanks to the work that last season’s team put in – culminating in a 9-5 victory against the Purcellville Cannons on August 1, 2024 – this year’s Tom Sox team has a chance to do something that has not been done in the franchise’s ten-year history: win back-to-back championships.

“The biggest thing is to not focus on what’s far down the road, focus on what you have today… taking it one day at a time is the quickest way, and I think the easiest way to have success,” Mihos said. “With the coaching staff and support staff you have there, you guys will be all right.”

Mihos is already back in the gym and working to improve his game. Coastal Carolina is eyeing another appearance in Omaha, and Mihos hopes the next one ends with a trophy in hand. Following the 2026 season, he is looking towards the MLB Draft with hopes of pursuing his dream of playing baseball at the highest level.

To listen to the full conversation with 2024 VBL Champion Dean Mihos, subscribe to On Deck with the Tom Sox, the official podcast of the Charlottesville Tom Sox. Hosted by Ben Rekosh, it can be found on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. New episodes are available the morning of every home game.