Virginia State loses 5-4 to Claflin Despite Late Lead

ETTRICK, Va. – The Virginia State Trojans took a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning but could not hang on and fell 5-4 to the Claflin Panthers Tuesday in the opening round of the CIAA Baseball Series.

The Trojans got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Virginia State plated two runs when Antonio Boone left the yard with Jaquan Tucker aboard.

The Panthers then rallied to score four runs and take a 4-2 lead before the Trojans got back on the board in the seventh. Virginia State brought home a pair, with one run driven in by Boone’s single, which brought the score level at 4-4. Claflin then scored one time over the remaining two innings to break the tie and grab the 5-4 win.

Story courtesy Virginia State Athletics; image courtesy Chris Waugaman/Waugtography

Apprentice Claims #2 Seed in USCAA Small College World Series

PITTSBURGH – The Apprentice School baseball team will be the No. 2 seed in next week’s USCAA Small College World Series as they look to win their fourth national title in program history.

The Builders head into the tournament with a 35-5 overall record, the most wins and best winning percentage in the country. They will take on the winner of seventh-seeded Central Maine CC, the YSCC champions, and 10th-seeded Central Penn Monday at 4 p.m. at Showers Field in DuBois, Pennsylvania.

Defending national champion Salem is the top seed in the tournament. Penn State Mont Alto, winners of the PSUAC, claimed the third seed, while host Penn State DuBois is seeded fifth. United States Sports University will make their first appearance at the SCWS as the No. 4 seed. Miami Hamilton is No. 6, and Cincinnati-Clermont and Florida National will play in the No. 8 vs. No. 9 game to start the tournament Monday.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics; image courtesy Kaitlyn Olson @shotsbyk8lyn

MACU’s Langley Leads All-Tournament Team

MILTON, Fl. – Mid-Atlantic Christian University pitcher Colin Langley has been named Most Valuable Player of the 2026 NSAC Baseball Tournament, leading 12 players that make up the All-Tournament Team.

Langley, a 6’1″ senior from Williamston, North Carolina, pitched seven innings against Lighthouse claiming nine strikeouts and giving up only two earned runs.

The team was selected by the participating head coaches.

2026 NSAC Baseball All-Tournament Team

  • Colin Langley, Mid-Atlantic Christian, Tournament MVP
  • Ethan Lopez, Lighthouse
  • Colin Johnson, Millennia Atlantic
  • Enrique Lopez, Atlantis
  • Romel Guerrero, Atlantis
  • Pablo Contreras, Millennia Atlantic
  • Brandon Williams, Lighthouse
  • Sergio Hernandez, Millennia Atlantic
  • Jamarkus Jefferson, Lighthouse
  • Isaacc Martinez, Millennia Atlantic
  • Matthew Lopez, Atlantis
  • Christian Olazabel, Atlantis

Millennia Atlantic is your NSAC Champion

MILTON, Fl. – Millennia Atlantic won four straight games on Saturday to claim the 2026 NSAC Baseball Championship.

In the day’s first game, Nolan Colwell drove in five runs on two hits to lead Mid-Atlantic Christian past Lighthouse 10-4 to advance to the championship. Colwell hit a home run to left field in the first inning, scoring three runs, and singled in the second inning, scoring one.

Then Millennia took an elimination game in dramatic fashion with a 6-5 walk-off victory over Atlantis.

In the third game of the day, the Macaws snatched the lead late in their 2-1 elimination victory over Lighthouse, setting up the finals.

MAU’s Sergio Hernandez drove in four runs on three hits, including a three-run home run, to lead Millennia Atlantic University to a 5-2 win over MACU in the first game of the championship series.

The Mustangs opened the scoring in the first inning on a fielder’s choice by Brian Sanchez, but MAU answered in the bottom half when Pablo Contreras singled home a run to tie the game.

Hernandez put Millennia ahead in the second with an RBI single, making it 2-1. The game remained close until the sixth, when Hernandez broke it open with a three-run homer to right field.

Wandy Soto earned the win, allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits over 6 2/3 innings while striking out five and walking seven.

Then in the nightcap, Pablo Contreras went 3-for-3 and drove the offense as Millennia Atlantic erased an early deficit to defeat MACU 8-6 for the NSAC title.

Mid-Atlantic Christian jumped ahead in the third inning when Brian Sanchez tripled to score two runs, part of a surge that built a five-run advantage. But Millennia answered in the bottom half, erupting for seven runs on six hits to take a 7-2 lead. A two-run double by Andrew Gonzalez highlighted the inning.

The Mustangs chipped away, including a two-run home run by Titus Bleckley in the fifth, but could not complete the comeback.

Rafael Romero earned the win for the Macaws, allowing six runs on nine hits over seven innings while striking out 12 and walking two. Trevor Capela took the loss after giving up five runs over 2 1/3 innings.

MAU totaled nine hits, with Contreras, Lenox Muñoz and Gonzalez each driving in two runs. Bleckley led Mid-Atlantic Christian with three RBIs.

Images courtesy Danielle Meredith

Atlantis Knocks Out VSU 4-3

MILTON, Fl. – Atlantis University broke a tie in the fifth inning and held on to defeat Virginia State University 4-3 in Friday’s NSAC Baseball Tournament elimination game.

Atlantis opened the scoring in the first when Adrian Astudillo doubled home a run. Virginia State answered in the third on Luka Gilliam’s RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.

AU regained the lead later in the third as Romel Guerrero singled and Enrique Lopez doubled, each driving in a run to make it 3-1. The Trojans responded in the fifth, tying the game at 3-3 on Jaquan Tucker’s RBI single.

The Atlanteans took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning when Damarian Chung drove in the go-ahead run on a lineout.

Matthew Lopez earned the win, allowing three runs on six hits over seven innings while striking out five. Gavin Stevens took the loss.

Atlantis collected 10 hits, with Guerrero, Astudillo and Jose Ruiz each recording two. Tucker drove in two runs for Virginia State.

Tournament games 5 and 6 scheduled for Friday were moved to Saturday morning due to the threat of inclement weather. Play is scheduled to resume at 9:00 am Central time but may be delayed as field drying continues. Mid-Atlantic Christian and Lighthouse will meet in the day’s first game, followed by Atlantis and Millennia Atlantic in an elimination game at 11:30 am.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Game 5 – 9:00 AM
Mid-Atlantic Christian vs Lighthouse Christian

Game 6 – 11:30 AM (Elimination Game)
Millennia Atlantic vs. Atlantis

Game 7 – 2:00 PM (Elimination Game)
Loser Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6

Game 8 – 4:30 PM (Championship Game)
Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7

Game 9 – 7:00 PM (If Necessary)
Same teams as Game 8

All games are played at East Milton Park, 8680 Randy Brown Road, Milton Florida and streamed live here.

Lighthouse, MACU Big Day One Baseball Winners

MILTON, Fl. – Lighthouse Christian picked up two wins and Mid-Atlantic Christian chalked another on day one of the 2026 NSAC Baseball Tournament at East Milton Park.

Ethan Lopez went 3-for-4 and Brandon Williams allowed no earned runs over seven innings as fifth seed Lighthouse defeated fourth seed Virginia State 9-1 in the opener.

Lopez singled in the first, doubled in the third and singled again in the fourth. His first-inning single gave the Makos an early lead, and they added two runs in the second on an error and Trevor Walker’s RBI single.

Harelth Molina’s fielder’s choice pushed the lead to 4-0 in the third.

Williams earned the win, allowing four hits and one unearned run while striking out three and walking two. Preston Branzelle took the loss after giving up nine runs, one earned, on 11 hits in five innings.

LCC finished with 12 hits. Walker and Horacio Ojeda each had multiple hits, and Makos turned two double plays.

Norman Jackson drove in Virginia State’s lone run.

The day’s second game also ended in a 9-1 score with third seed MACU taking the win over second seed Atlantis.

The Mustangs opened the scoring in the top of the first when Nolan Colwell drew a walk and later came home, and a balk by Atlantis starter Fransisco Bracho brought in another run for a 2-0 lead.

Cutter Williams earned the win in relief, allowing four hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out three and walking two. Starter Markell Simmons gave up one unearned run on two hits across 2 1/3 innings, striking out one and issuing four walks.

MACU’s offense was paced by Julius Burke, who went 3-for-3, while Colwell and Brian Sanchez each drove in two runs.

Bracho took the loss for the Atlanteans, surrendering two runs, one earned, on one hit over 1 1/3 innings while striking out three and walking two.

Duilio Prosposito led Atlantis with two hits, and Traves Knowles Jr. recorded the team’s lone RBI.

The nightcap proved to be the closest game of the day as Lighthouse needed an extra inning to get its second upset win of the day, 7-5 over top-seed Millennia Atlantic.

The Makos opened the scoring in the first on Brandon Williams’ sacrifice fly, but MAU answered in the bottom half on Pablo Contreras’ sacrifice fly. The Macaws took a 2-1 lead in the second on Patrick Tavarez’s RBI single.

Jamarkus Jefferson tied the game for Lighthouse in the fourth with a solo homer to center. The Makos regained control in the fifth when Williams drove in a run on a groundout and Ethan Lopez followed with an RBI single to make it 5-2.

Millennia rallied to tie the game in the seventh on a sacrifice fly and Rodrigo Ruiz’s RBI single, sending the game to extra innings.

Lighthouse broke the tie for good in the eighth on Trevor Medlin’s RBI single and Harelth Molina’s sacrifice fly.

Gabe Brown earned the win, allowing four runs over six innings. Christopher Pinales took the loss.

Williams and Lopez each drove in two runs for Makos, which totaled 11 hits.

This sets up Day Two as follows:

FRIDAY, MAY 1 (All times Central)

Game 4 – 11:00 AM (Elimination Game)
Virginia State vs. Atlantis

Game 5 – 2:00 PM
MACU vs. Lighthouse

Game 6 – 5:00 PM (Elimination Game)
Millennia Atlantic vs. Winner Game 4

All games are streamed live here.

Vazquez Voted Coach of the Year

In a vote of the league’s coaches, Millennia Atlantic’s Willie Vazquez has been selected as the New South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.

Willie turned around the program in his first year at MAU, leading the Macaws to a 21-7 overall record and 12-4 in the NSAC, earning the Macaws the top seed in the upcoming conference tournament. He also coached Sergio Hernandez to Player of the Year honors.

Prior to coming to Millennia, Willie served as the assistant athletic director and head baseball coach at Atlantis, overseeing personnel, evaluating systems, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with university regulations. His leadership resulted in the team excelling both on the field and in the classroom, achieving a GPA of 3.1.

Prior to Atlantis University, Willie served as the Head Baseball Coach at Miami Springs Senior High School, where he was named 2014 District Coach of the Year. During his tenure, the team achieved a 39-30 record, winning a District Title for the first time in seven years and making two regional appearances. Willie also placed 15 players in college for baseball, demonstrating a commitment to player development.

Complementing his experience in athletics, Willie has served as a firefighter and paramedic for the city of Miami since 2004, providing responsive fire rescue services essential to public health and safety.

Congratulations to Willie Vazquez, our NSAC Baseball Coach of the Year!

Hernandez, Hayes Lead All-Conference Selections

Millennia Atlantic’s Sergio Hernandez and Apprentice’s Brayden Hayes lead the 2026 New South Athletic Conference All-Conference Team as Hitter/Fielder and Pitcher of the Year, respectively, as selected by the league coaches.

Hernandez, from Venezuela and in his second season with the Macaws, put up impressive numbers with 42 hits in 97 at bats (.433 BA) including 28 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, 26 RBIs and 34 runs scored.

Hayes anchored the pitching staff for the Builders. The freshman righty from Warsaw, Virginia had an eye-catching 1.65 ERA and an 8-0 record in 13 appearances and 55 innings.

Congratulations to the entire squad!

FIRST TEAM

  • Sergio Hernandez, Millennia Atlantic, Hitter of the Year
  • Brayden Hayes, Apprentice, Pitcher of the Year
  • Brandon Willaims, Lighthouse
  • Jassiel Valbuena, Atlantis
  • Jaeden Anderson, Apprentice
  • Matthew Lopez, Atlantis
  • Titus Bleckly, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Matthew Sobrino, Atlantis
  • Ethan Lopez, Lighthouse
  • Preston Branzelle, Virginia State
  • Rodrigo Ruiz, Millennia Atlantic
  • Adrian Astidillo, Atlantis
  • Trevor Walker, Lighthouse
  • Colin Langley, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Pablo Contreras, Millennia Atlantic
  • Hagen Marse, Lighthouse
  • Norman Jackson, Virginia State
  • Jackson Thomas, Apprentice

SECOND TEAM

  • Seth Harrison, Apprentice
  • Grant Stratton, Apprentice
  • Antonio Boone, Virginia State
  • Landon Turner, Apprentice
  • Cutter Williams, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Jacquan Tucker, Virginia State
  • Nate Yeary, Apprentice
  • Victor Velasquez, Millennia Atlantic
  • Travis Knowles, Atlantis
  • Patrick Tavarez, Millennia Atlantic
  • Jose Ruiz-Galves, Atlantis
  • Jordan Luckie, Lighthouse
  • Chris Pinales, Millennia Atlantic
  • Jamarkus Jefferson, Lighthouse
  • Gavin Stevens, Virginia State
  • Landen Miller, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • RJ Cabrera, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Lennox Munoz, Millennia Atlantic

Seedings Set for ‘Beach Ball ’26’

MILTON, Fl. – With the conclusion of conference play on Saturday, the seedings and schedule are now set for the 2026 New South Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament:

  1. Millennia Atlantic
  2. Atlantis
  3. Mid-Atlantic Christian
  4. Virginia State
  5. Lighthouse Christian

Standings – NSAC Baseball

All times Central

THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Game 1 – 11:00 AM
(4) Seed 4 vs. (5) Seed 5

Game 2 – 2:00 PM
(2) Seed 2 vs. (3) Seed 3

Game 3 – 5:00 PM
(1) Seed 1 vs. Winner Game 1

___

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Game 4 – 11:00 AM (Elimination Game)
Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2

Game 5 – 2:00 PM
Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3

Game 6 – 5:00 PM (Elimination Game)
Loser Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

___

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Game 7 – 11:00 AM (Elimination Game)
Loser Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6

Game 8 – 2:00 PM (Championship Game)
Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7

Game 9 – 5:00 PM (If Necessary)
Same teams as Game 8

Builders Sweep Trojans to Wrap Up Regular Season

ETTRICK, Va. – The Apprentice School baseball team wrapped up its New South Athletic Conference schedule with a three-game sweep of Virginia State this weekend. The fourth game of the weekend set was canceled due to inclement weather Saturday.

GAME 1 – AS 10, VSU 2
The Builders scored 10 straight runs to start off the weekend series. Seth Harrison’s sacrifice fly in the first got things going before AS added two in the second. Jaeden Anderson singled before Nate Yeary got a RBI groundout to make the score 3-0.

The third inning is where Apprentice did much of its work. Landon Turner started the scoring with a RBI single before Issac McCallister and Anderson both had RBI groundouts. That was after Turner scored on a throwing error by the Trojans.

Yeary again brought home another run in the fifth on a single to stretch the lead to 8-0 before Turner scored in the sixth and Austin Wert singled in the seventh to make it 10-0.

The Trojans added two in the final frame to get to the final score.

GAME 2 – AS 7, VSU 6 (8 inn.)
Again, the Builders were first to the scoreboard, scoring a trio in the second. Winslow started it with a RBI single, setting up McCallister and Yeary for RBI singles as well to make it 3-0. VSU answered with four stright runs, all in the third inning to take their first lead of the weekend.

Apprentice answered in the fifth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Harrison, but again the Trojans put more on the board in the bottom of the inning, scoring two to retake the lead at 6-4.

With their backs against the wall, Winslow came through with a bases-loaded single to tie the game in the seventh before Turner got a RBI single in the eighth to take the lead, giving Grant Stratton the ball to shut the door in the bottom of the inning.

GAME 3 – AS 4, VSU 3
The final game of the series started the same as the first two: Builders putting first runs on the scoreboard. Bradshaw got a RBI groundout in the second to mark the only run scored before the fifth inning.

In the fifth, Yeary broke through with a RBI single to stretch the lead to 2-0, but VSU answered in the sixth with a RBI double to tie it up. The Builders came back in the seventh with a run on a fielder’s choice and a Lucca Pascarella RBI single to take a 4-3 lead and did just enough to keep the Trojans from tying the game up in the bottom of the inning to get the sweep.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics; image courtesy Kaitly Olson @shotsbyk8lyn