Month: April 2024

Redman, Lee Head 2024 All-Conference Selections

Nick Redman of Apprentice and Jalyn Lee of Mid-Atlantic Christian lead a stellar group of 19 players which have been selected by the league coaches as the 2024 NSAC All-Conference Team.

Redman, the Pitcher of the Year, led the Builder pitching staff with a sparkling 2.39 ERA with eight wins against no losses on the season. In 49 innings pitched, the sophomore lefty from New Kent, Virginia gave up only 36 hits and 13 earned runs.

Lee was named Player of the Year by virtue of a team-leading .391 batting average with 40 RBI. The 6-2 senior from Smithfield, North Carolina finished the regular season with seven homers and a .461 OBP.

Congratulations to Redman, Lee, and all the members of the 2024 NSAC All-Conference Team!

The Apprentice School

  • Nolan Edwards, INF
  • Jeremy Harmon, C
  • Isaac McAllister, P
  • Caleb Russell, C
  • Nick Redman, P
  • Camden Weston, IF
  • Nate Yeary, OF

Mid-Atlantic Christian University

  • Dakota Jacobsen, P
  • Colin Langley, P
  • Jalyn Lee, 1B
  • Adam Schell, INF
  • Travis Snell, OF

Virginia State University

  • Joe Hastings, P
  • Chris Henderson, 3B
  • Norman Jackson, 2B
  • Victor Johnson, OF
  • TJ McGowan, 1B
  • Jamari Pooler, SS
  • Jimmyll Williams, UTIL

Images courtesy Apprentice Athletics and MACU Athletics

Builders’ Jones Named Coach of the Year

After leading Apprentice to the most wins in program history, the Builders’ Ben Jones has been named the New South Athletic Conference Baseball Coach of the Year.

Jones, in his third season at the helm, guided the Builders to a 35-7 record in just the regular season, surpassing the 34-14 mark set by the 2018 team which finished second in the USCAA.

A native of Lawrenceville, VA, Jones graduated as an outside machinist apprentice and played baseball for The Apprentice School from 2003 to 2006. During Jones’ career, he was named a three-time USCAA All-American. He is the winningest pitcher in the modern era of Apprentice School baseball with 39 wins and a Virginia College Division record of 501 strikeouts. Jones was selected to the 2006 USCAA National All-Academic Team and the CoSIDA Academic All-District. He was also selected VaSID All-State Division II-III in 2004 and 2006 and was honored as Apprentice School Athlete of the Year in 2006 when he went 13-3 with 166 strikeouts.

Jones led the Builders to the USCAA Small College World Series title in 2022, the year he won the inaugural NSAC Coach of the Year award.

Congratulations, Ben!

Image courtesy Apprentice Athletics

Trojans Win Lighthouse Series, Claim Tourney Third Seed

ETTRICK, Va. – After dropping the series opener on Saturday, Virginia State bounced back to sweep a tripleheader against Lighthouse Christian on Sunday and clinch the third seed in the upcoming NSAC baseball tournament.

The teams were originally scheduled to play doubleheaders on Saturday and Sunday, but transportation troubles for the Makos allowed time for just one game Saturday. The teams decided to make up the missed game on Sunday.

Lighthouse pounced on the Trojans for nine runs in the sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie and pull away for a 12-5 win on Saturday.

In Sunday’s opener, it was the Trojans’ turn for an offensive display, exploding for 11 runs in the fifth to force the run rule and win 12-1 in six.

The middle game saw the Makos plating five runs in the first and carrying a 7-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh. VSU pushed three runs across in the home half of the inning to get the walk-off win 8-7. With that win, the Trojans clinched the third seed in the conference tournament beginning Thursday. LCC will be the fourth seed.

In the final regular season game for both teams, the Trojans broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the 7th to take their second walk-off win in a row 4-3.

Thus the brackets are now set for the NSAC Baseball Tournament as top seed Apprentice will face #4 Lighthouse in the opener Thursday at 11:00 am. Mid-Atlantic Christian, the second seed, will take on #3 Virginia State at 3:00 pm.

All games will take place at Historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina.

Image courtesy Chris Waugaman/VSU Athletics

Mustangs Clinch 2nd Seed with Doubleheader Sweep of Trojans

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Mid-Atlantic Christian wrapped up its New South Conference schedule on Wednesday with a twin-bill sweep of Virginia State 6-3 and 6-5. With the pair of victories at Knobb’s Creek, the Mustangs (23-18 overall, 9-5 NSAC) lock up the second seed in next week’s conference tournament.

The Trojans (11-30, 2-6) conclude their schedule against conference foe Lighthouse Christian this weekend in a four-game slate. VSU can clinch the third seed with two wins against the Makos.

Apprentice has already clinched the top spot in the tournament, which will begin Thursday, May 2 in Wilson, North Carolina.

Image courtesy MACU Athletics

VSU Drops Decision at #19 Mount Olive

MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. – On Monday, Virginia State played its fourth game in three days, this time against #19 Mount Olive, and dropped the game between the Trojans 15-1. 

Neither team got a runner on in the first and VSU went down in order in the top of the second. UMO would then use a two-out rally to score four runs off starter Coron Wallace. Jody Morris then came in to pitch and got the final out. Matthew May managed to single to right field and advanced to second after a ground out, but he was stranded there. Morris managed to throw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the third to keep Mount Olive off the scoreboard. 

In the bottom of the fourth Mount Olive hit back-to-back singles to start the inning and scored another run, then followed with a double down the left field line which made it 6-0. In the fifth inning VSU went down in order with three straight strikeouts. A pair of hits for UMO in the seventh plated their seventh run with just one out. Then a HBP and a steal of second put both runners in scoring position followed by a single up the middle, bringing two more runs across to make it 9-0. In total, Mount Olive would get to 10 runs in the bottom of the fifth. UMO added another five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Virginia State did manage to get a run across in the seventh.  

With the loss, VSU drops to 11-28 while Mount Olive improves to 32-12. VSU will hit the road once again for an NSAC doubleheader on Wednesday, April 24 starting at 1 pm against Mid-Atlantic Christian University. 

Story and image courtesy VSU Athletics

NSAC Honors 41 All-Academics in 2024 Baseball

The New South Athletic Conference is pleased to recognize the 41 baseball players who have achieved at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) this year and have been named to the NSAC All-Academic Team.

“This is my favorite award each season,” said conference commissioner Mike Davis. “It recognizes the dedication and tenacity of each of these student-athletes to achieve a bright future for themselves and their families. Congratulations to each and every one.”

APPRENTICE SCHOOL

  • Jaeden Anderson
  • Justin Bradshaw
  • Riggs Ellis
  • Jeremy Harmon
  • Aiden Henry
  • Hunter Johnson
  • Matt Phoebus
  • Bryce Post
  • Jackson Stratton
  • Kyle Whitlock

LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

  • Clay Allen
  • Carlos Brown
  • Robert Gates
  • Trent Knighten
  • Josh Landis
  • Andry Mendez
  • Gavin Neade
  • Quenton Renfroe
  • Jean Quezada Sosa

MID-ATLANTIC CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

  • Dalon Arrington
  • Titus Bleckley
  • Bobby Brown
  • Josiah Collado
  • Trey Dail
  • Sean Henry
  • Landen Miller
  • Travis Snell
  • Connor Wong

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

  • Decarlos Nora
  • Josh Mahan
  • Thomas Moore
  • Jimmyll Williams
  • Dawysn Hock
  • Alex Dayle
  • Joseph Hastings
  • Avante Banks
  • Justis Crawley
  • Daniel Smith
  • Bryce Wilmoth
  • Coron Wallace

Photo by Raghav Modi on Unsplash

Makos Drop Series to NCF

SARASOTA, Fla. – New College of Florida completed a sweep over a youthful Lighthouse Christian squad Saturday.

Jonathan Smalenski got the start on the mound in game one. After a lead off walk, Smalenski made an excellent field in the play, fielding a line-out before throwing to first to turn an impressive double play.

Landen Morrison recorded the first hit of the day for New College, lacing a single to right field.

Smalenski pitched well in the second, allowing one hit and forcing 2 ground outs and a pop out to retire the Makos.

The Banyan offense was great in the second inning. New College showcased their plate discipline, walking the bases loaded with only one out. Adrian Quinones got the scoring started, singling to right field to score the first run of the day. Brennan Peterson drove in the next run, getting hit by a pitch to put New College up 2. Another walk from John McIntosh put the Banyans up 3. The Banyans added another run to end the inning, going up 4-0 through two innings.

The Makos got on the scoreboard in the fifth, bringing the Banyan lead to 3.

The Banyans maintained their lead, capturing a 4-1 win in game one.

Lighthouse Christian jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning of game number two.

The Banyan bats exploded in the bottom of the second. Three straight hits loaded the bases for Jeremy Miller Jr. The Banyans converted, scoring two runs to take a 2-1 lead.

The Mako offense got them back in the game, scoring 3 runs to take a 4-2 lead in the fourth inning.

The Banyans got one run back on an error in the bottom of the fourth, making it a 4-3 ball game.

The Banyans retook the lead in the fifth. Doubles from Rylan Jomisko, Matt Merk, and Aiden Apparicio scored two runs to help the Banyans take a 5-4 lead. Jesus Fortis singled to left field to add on another run.

The Banyan offense took off in the sixth, scoring 5 runs to take a 9-4 lead.

Story and image courtesy NCF Athletics

MACU Picks Up Conference Road Win at VSU

ETTRICK, Va. – Virginia State dropped a nine-inning affair to Mid Atlantic Christian on Thursday 13-2. 

MACU managed to load the bases with back-to-back singles and an error by the third baseman. A fielder’s choice would bring one run across, but the Trojans starter Gavin Stevens managed to get out of the jam. The Trojans would get that run back in the second inning after Jaquan Tucker was hit by the pitch and advanced to second on a sac bunt. Matthew May was hit by the pitch and then Avante Banks hit a two-out double to bring across Tucker. 

The Mustangs would add another run in the fourth and then put up five runs in the fifth. In the bottom of the sixth, Banks hit into a fielder’s choice to bring across Thomas Chandler to score VSU’s second run. However, MACU would score seven more runs in the eighth and ninth innings to make the final score 13-2. 

Jimmyll Williams and TJ McGowan were the only Trojans with multiple hits, and Stevens now drops to 2-5 on the year. As a team, VSU now sits at 11-24 while MACU improved to 21-18.

Story and image courtesy VSU Athletics

Wilson Tobs Set to Host NSAC Baseball Tourney

The schedule is set for the New South Athletic Conference 2024 Baseball Tournament to be held at Historic Fleming Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina May 2-4.

“We’re excited to be partnering with the Wilson Tobs as our host for this year’s tournament,” said NSAC commissioner Mike Davis. “Historic Fleming Stadium is just that: a piece of sports history. Growing up in nearby Knightdale, I revered Fleming for years and look forward to a great tournament in this quaint setting.”

DateGameAwayHomeTime
Thursday May 21Seed #4Seed #111:00 AM
Historic Fleming Stadium2Seed #3Seed #23:00 PM
3Loser Game 1Loser Game 26:30 PM
     
Date AwayHomeTime
Friday May 34Winner Game 2Winner Game 112:00 PM
Historic Fleming Stadium5Winner Game 3Loser Game 44:00 PM
     
     
Date AwayHomeTime
Saturday May 4ChampionshipWinner Game 5Winner Game 412:00 PM
Historic Fleming StadiumChampionshipIf NecessaryIf Necessary3:30 PM

The seedings will finalized on Sunday, April 28.

From wilsontobs.com:

“Built in 1939 for the Wilson Tobs of the original Coastal Plain ‘D’ League, Historic Fleming Stadium has always served as a stepping stone for some of our country’s greatest ballplayers, entertainers, and politicians.

“From Ted Williams and Mickey Mantle to Elvis Presley, Kevin Costner, and New York City Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia, Historic Fleming Stadium’s (85)-year history is lined with the heroes of our national pastime and the cultural leaders of our society.

“Used primarily today as the home of the modern-era Wilson Tobs of the Coastal Plain League, North Carolina Baseball Museum, and Year-Round Baseball Events, Fleming is still vibrantly hosting our national pastime’s past, current and future stars. Fleming’s importance in the baseball community has continued to grow with age by hosting over 150 days of baseball annually and operating from February to November. Historic Fleming Stadium is also host to the Conference Carolinas Baseball Championship, NCISA’s Spring Single A Baseball Championships, as well as the CPL All-Star game in 2005 and 2012.“

Builders Take Weekend Series from Makos

HAMPTON, Va. – The Apprentice School baseball team improved to 32-7 on the season with a four-game sweep of Lighthouse Christian this weekend at War Memorial Stadium. With the four wins, the Builders improved to 10-2 in New South Athletic Conference action this season.

On Saturday, the Builders jumped on the Makos early and often, winning 22-2 and 11-1 in five and six innings, respectively. The Builders continued the onslaught on Sunday with an 11-1 six inning win before holding on for a 9-6 win in the series finale.

Nolan Edwards went 9-for-14 on the weekend with three homers and nine runs scored. He also brought in eight RBI on the weekend as well. Camden Weston went 6-for-10, and Jeremy Harmon hit two homers Sunday, the first of which ended game one of the twin bill by the run rule.

Story and image courtesy Apprentice Athletics