Month: April 2025

Millers Top Seed for NSAC Championship

WILSON, N.C. – With the conclusion of conference play on Thursday, John Melvin University (LA) clinched the number one seed for next week’s New South Athletic Conference baseball tournament.

The NSAC coaches elected to use a weighted formula for this year’s seeding due to unbalanced schedules, granting a 60 percent weight to NSAC games and 40 percent to non-conference contests, but the calculated result aligned with the conference standings anyway. With only a handful of non-conference games still to be played, no team can overtake another.

Tournament play gets underway Thursday, May 1 at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina.

SEEDINGS:

  1. John Melvin (LA)
  2. Mid-Atlantic Christian
  3. Apprentice
  4. John Melvin (FL)
  5. Virginia State
  6. Lighthouse Christian

Trojans Play Spoiler in Pair of Wins over Builders

HAMPTON, Va. – Virginia State took a doubleheader sweep of Apprentice Thursday afternoon winning both games 4-3. The pair of NSAC wins was just enough to knock the Builders from second to third in the seedings for next week’s conference tournament in Wilson, North Carolina.

GAME 1: VSU 4 APP 3

Both teams would get a hit in the first but wouldn’t score. In the top of the second inning Norman Jackson hit a one-out double that landed just fair, but he was left stranded.

The opening batter got on to start the third for the Builders via an error, then advanced to third after back-to-back groundouts. Preston Branzelle then got out of the inning after striking out the last batter.

TJ McGowan started the fourth with a single up the middle. A one-out double by Victor Johnson allowed McGowan to round the bases to score the first run of the game. Jackson then hit a single up the middle to bring home Johnson.

Hector Rivera continued the strong inning, hitting his first collegiate home run just inside the left field foul pole making it 3-0 Trojans.

The Builders managed to answer with runners on the corners with one out in their half of the fourth. Apprentice would use a two-out single to get on the board.

Marquis Smith started the fifth with a single then advanced to second after a Thomas Ealey sacrifice bunt, but would be left on third.

Apprentice used a two-out rally in the sixth to score another run making it 3-2 going into the seventh inning.

Back-to-back one-out singles in the top of the seventh got a runner in scoring position for VSU. McGowan hit a single up the middle to add an insurance run for Virginia State.

The Builders opened their half of the seventh with a walk, then a failed pickoff attempt allowed the runner to advance to third. That runner would come around to score after a groundout.

Branzelle tossed a complete game to pick up his fourth win of the season.

GAME 2: VSU 4 APP 3

McGowan managed to get to second after a single, then a failed pickoff attempt, but was left stranded. Gavin Stevens pitched a 1-2-3 inning on only six pitches to open the game.

After a double play to start the bottom of the second, the Builders put a runner on second, but Stevens was able to get the third out.

With two outs in the third Ealey worked a walk, then Jaden Guthrie hit the Trojans’ second homerun on the day into the left field stands making it 2-0.

The Trojans used small ball in the fourth after Jaquan Tucker hit a leadoff single, then was bunted over to second. Jackson then hit a single up the middle to score Tucker and advanced to second on the throw. After a Rivera single, Joshua Mahan laid down a sac bunt to score Jackson but was thrown out trying to go for second.

The Builders managed to load the bases in their half of the fourth with no outs. A sac fly followed by a failed pickoff attempt allowed all three runners to score making it 4-3.

Neither team got a baserunner in scoring position in the fifth or sixth inning.

In the seventh Jaron Ward was hit by a pitch then advanced to second after a wild pitch with one out.

Stevens faced the bottom of the Builders’ lineup in the seventh inning and got the first out via a strikeout. A HBP then a single to left put two runners on for Apprentice. The next batter grounded out to move the winning and tying runs into scoring position. Smith then caught the final out to win game two 4-3.

Stevens picked up his fourth win of the season.

VSU has clinched fifth in the conference tournament.

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

JMU’s Walker, Durr Take Weekly Honors

A pair of John Melvin (LA) Millers rose to the occasion last week to be named the NSAC Pitcher and Player of the week.

Sophomore RHP Garrett Walker threw six innings of shutout baseball, allowing one hit and marking four strikeouts against rival John Melvin (FL). Walker needed just 57 pitches to clear six innings. 

Junior Catcher Trevor Durr went 4-of-7 at the plate vs JMCC for a .571 average with a triple, three runs, four RBIs, three walks and one HBP.

Kudos to Garrett and Trevor!

Images courtesy Carla Walker/SportsPicsByCarla

Millers Claim Third Series Sweep of Rival Mohawks

After dropping game one of their final series with rival John Melvin Christian College (FL) on Friday 5-4, the John Melvin University (LA) Millers bounced back for a Saturday sweep of the Mohawks on Senior Night 10-1 and 4-1.

Game one was a classic pitcher’s duel that didn’t go the way of the Millers. In the final home start of his college career, JMU ace Gavin LeBlanc gave his third double-digit strikeout performance of the season (three more nine-strikeout games as well), on his way to a stellar six-inning, four-hit, ten-strikeout, two-earned-run performance. Caleb Ougel entered the game in relief to throw the remaining three innings of the game, allowing just one hit, striking out two, and allowing one run. Unfortunately, it was the one hit that JMCC needed to win their first game of the season against JMU as it was a triple to score the eventual game-winning run. It was a difficult day for the Miller offense, finding a way to get runners on base throughout the game but struggling to find the big hit they needed. Andrew Ashby came up big with a two RBI double in the 5th inning to tie the game in the 5th inning, but the offense was never able to break the tie.

Game two of the series was all Millers from the start. Making the final home start of his career, senior pitcher Troy Morel was spectacular, throwing a five-inning complete game shutout, allowing just two baserunners all game and punching out seven Mohawks. Two Millers picked up multi-hit games in the contest, led by Taylor Walters going two for three with two doubles and three RBIs to lead the offense. Standout performances on offense also include Connor Pleasant going two for two and Trevor Durr and Payden Wysong each going one for one.

Game three of the series may have been closer on the scoreboard but the dominant performance by sophomore pitcher Garrett Walker ensured that the game was never truly in doubt. Walker needed just 57 pitches en route to a 6-inning shutout performance, allowing just 1 hit and striking out four. Senior pitcher Willy Flynn entered the game in the 7th inning and needed just 11 pitches to slam the door shut and close out the Miller series victory. Junior catcher Trevor Durr was the key offensive piece in the victory, picking up two hits and two RBIs in the winning effort.

The Millers finish the season with an 8-1 record over rival John Melvin Christian College and finish the NSAC regular season with a 15-2 conference record.

Story courtesy JMU Athletics; image courtesy Carla Walker sportspicsbycarla

MACU Wins Twin Bill to Sweep Series at VSU

ETTRICK, Va. – Mid-Atlantic Christian took both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader to sweep the NSAC series with Virginia State 5-4 in game one and 5-3 in game two.

GAME 1: MACU 5, VSU 4

Preston Branzelle kept the Mustangs off the board in the top of the first. In the bottom half Thomas Ealey hit a one out single then stole second. TJ McGowan and Victor Johnson hit back-to-back singles to drive in the Trojans first run. Norman Jackson then hit a sac fly to bring in McGowan.

MACU scored three in the second. VSU answered in the third after loading the bases with zero outs. Hector Rivera hit a sac fly to score McGowan.

The Mustangs added two more runs in the fourth in the Trojans half Thomas Chandler started with a double then advanced to third. McGowan the hit a two out single to score Chandler.

In the bottom of the fifth Rivera and Erik Romero managed to get into scoring position with one out but were left stranded and that would be the last scoring chance for either team in game one.

GAME 2: MACU 5, VSU 4

Neither team in the first, with Charles Jones pitching a 1-2-3 inning.

In the second, a leadoff walk and a single put runners on the corners with no one out. Back-to-back flyballs allowed one run to score.

In the bottom half Johnson started off with a double then came around to score after the next two batters advanced him to third and home.

In the fourth MACU had back-to-back one-out walks, then a double down the right field line allowed both of those runs to score. The Mustangs added two more runs in the fifth.

The Trojans’ Caden Willis-Sagers walked to open the bottom half of the fifth, followed by a Marquis Smith single. Ealey then advanced both runners after bunting them over. Jaden Guthrie then hit a long single that hit off the top of the wall to score both runners, but that ended the scoring.

Mid-Atlantic Christian improves to 22-18 (10-6 NSAC) while VSU drops to 9-23 (5-10 NSAC).

Story courtesy Virginia State Athletics. Image courtesy Chris Waugaman/Waugtography

Tournament Seedings Taking Shape with One Week to Go

WILSON, N.C. – With just a little over one week left in the 2025 NSAC baseball regular season, we’re seeing the seedings fall into place.

Prior to the season, league coaches voted to base the seedings on a weighted formula granting a 60 percent weight to conference games and 40 percent to non-conference matchups. Yet as of today, that calculation has made no difference: the results are the same. However, with a few series left and several positions in contention, that could change in the home stretch.

TeamNSAC Pct.Overall Pct.Weighted Pct.
1. John Melvin (LA).867.511.725
2. Apprentice.714.647.687
3. Atlantis.667.618.647
4. Mid-Atlantic Chr..571.526.553
5. John Melvin (FL).400.368.387
6. Virginia State.385.310.355
7. Lighthouse Chr..227.194.214

The tournament gets underway at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, North Carolina at 9:30 am on Thursday May 1.

Photo by Wade Austin Ellis on Unsplash

MACU Takes Extra Innings to Slip Past VSU

ETTRICK, Va. – Jack Valachovic singled in RJ Cabrera for the winning run in the 12th inning as Mid-Atlantic took down Virginia State 8-6 Friday afternoon in NSAC action.

The Mustangs, ranked third in the latest USCAA baseball poll, scored in the first inning then sat the Trojans down in order in the bottom half. In the second VSU started with Jaquan Tucker getting Hit by Pitch, then Erik Romero hit a one out double. Hector Rivera then hit a single to bring in Tucker. MACU started the third with back-to-back singles to get runners on the corners. The next batter then hit an RBI groundout. In the bottom half, Thomas Ealey hit a one out single then advanced to second. TJ McGowan then doubled to tie the game at 2.

MACU added another run in the fourth before VSU answered with Victor Johnson starting with a single in the bottom half. Romero followed with a single of his own ,and Rivera hit the third straight single to load the bases. David Johnson then pinch hit and hit a single to bring in two runs. Ealey hit a triple to get Rivera home. The Mustangs continued to answer putting up three runs in the fifth to lead 6-5. Both pitching staffs would shut down the offenses until the bottom of the ninth. Rivera started with a double, Norman Jackson then hit a pinch-hit single which brought in the tying run. In the bottom of the tenth, the Trojans had an opportunity to win the game after getting a runner to second with two outs, but he was left stranded. MACU then took advantage in the 12th inning putting up two runs, first Cabrera and then Darris Boswell. In the bottom half, Romero hit a double but was left stranded there.

With the loss VSU drops to 9-21 overall and will be back in action tomorrow Saturday April 19 against Mid-Atlantic Christian for an NSAC doubleheader and Senior Day. Senior Day is scheduled for 12:30 and first pitch at 1 p.m.

Story courtesy Virginia State Athletics

Dominant Pitching Performances Help Trojans Sweep Makos

ETTRICK, Va. – Virginia State used two dominant pitching performances to sweep Lighthouse Christian 6-3 in game one and 4-1 in game two of a Wednesday NSAC doubleheader.

GAME 1 VSU 6 LCC 3

Lighthouse managed to score three runs in the first while keeping the Trojans off the board for the first two innings.

In the third TJ McGowan was Hit by Pitch then Victor Johnson singled to the shortstop. Norman Jackson then singled to right field which allowed McGowan to score.

Then in the fourth inning the Trojans loaded the bases with no outs, Jaden Guthrie then singled and McGowan was HBP. Johnson hit a double down the right field line, Norman Jackson hit into a fielder’s choice allowing five runs to come across to score in the inning.

Charles Jones settled down after the first inning, only allowing one hit in the final six innings. He finished with four strikeouts and earned his first win of the season.

GAME 2 VSU 4 LCC 1

DeCarlos Nora III got the start on the mound in game two. He used a double play to get out of the inning.

In the bottom half Thomas Ealey started with a single, followed by a Guthrie double to third. McGowan the hit an RBI ground out then Johnson hit a single to left.

Then in the fourth inning Johnson started the inning with a homer to left field. Erik Romero then got on via an error, stole second and Hector Rivera doubled to bring him home

Nora III took a no hitter into the fifth inning, and with two outs in the fifth, the Makos got their first hit.

Then in the sixth LCC managed to score a run, then Nora only allowed one hit and used a double play to win his first career game.

Virginia State now improves to 9-20 overall and will be back in action Friday April 18 against Mid-Atlantic Christian for a nine-inning game at 3 p.m.

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

Branzelle Tosses Complete Game Shutout in Game One; Trojans Split Twin Bill vs Makos

ETTRICK, Va. – Preston Branzelle pitched a complete game four hit shutout in game one to win 7-0 before the Virginia State University Baseball team dropped game two 6-0 against Lighthouse Christian College.

GAME 1 VSU 7 LCC 0

Thomas Ealey started the game with a double to left field, Jaden Guthrie then singled to center to put runners on the corners. TJ McGowan then walked on a wild pitch which brought in Ealey. Jaquan Tucker then grounded out to short but brought Guthrie in to score. Another wild pitch would allow McGown to score making it 3-0

In the second Erik Romero singled to left then on a failed pickoff attempt he moved up to third. Ealey then hit a sacrifice fly on the next pitch to bring him home

In the third inning VSU got runners on second and third with one out. Norman Jackson then grounded out to second to bring home a run

Branzelle continued his strong performance on the mound but in the fourth inning LCC managed to get two runners on but were left stranded after a strikeout

In the sixth the Trojans added two insurance runs after Matthew May got on via an error then advanced to third. Romero then walked and Marquis Smith was Hit by Pitch to load the bases. Ealey then collected two more RBI’s after a single through the left side

Branzelle collected his third win on the season after striking out nine and not allowing a walk

Game 2 VSU 0 LCC 6

The Makos managed to score three runs in the first inning and two more in the third

LCC scored one more run in the top of the fifth

After a Guthrie double in the first inning the Trojans wouldn’t have another scoring opportunity until the seventh. Caden Willis-Sagers singled through the left side, Julius Turner doubled down the right field line to get runners on second and third with one out.

The Trojans now sit at 7-20 overall and will be back in action tomorrow April 16 against Lighthouse for another double header at 1 p.m.

Story courtesy Virginia State Athletics; Image courtesy Chris Waugaman

Collado, Langley Named Baseball POWs

Two Mid-Atlantic Christian University Mustangs have been honored as the NSAC Baseball Players of the Week.

Senior Josiah Collado from Canton, Georgia had a large week at the plate going 8-of-14 (.571 BA) with 5 doubles and 7 RBIs.

On the mound, Colin Langley, a junior from nearby Williamston, North Carolina, blistered batters for 5.1 innings giving up no earned runs and fanning ten.

Earning honorable mention were Trevor Durr, John Melvin (LA) catcher who went 12-of-25 (.480) with 4 doubles, 4 home runs, scored 6 runs, with 8 RBI’s, and 5 walks; and JMU pitcher Troy Morel, who in eight innings of relief only gave up five hits, three earned runs (3.37 ERA) with four Ks and picked up the win at NAIA #15 Houston-Victoria.

Congrats to all!

Photos courtesy Isabell Lapoe/Lapoe Photography

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