Category: Lighthouse

Championship Day is Upon Us!

WILSON, N.C. – John Melvin (LA) got a walk-off double to defeat Apprentice 11-10 Friday and earn its way into Saturday’s NSAC Baseball Championship game.

The top-seeded Millers gave up seven runs in the second inning and appeared doomed to enter the losers bracket but methodically clawed its way back into the game, sealing it in the seventh.

Lighthouse Christian, John Melvin (FL) and Mid-Atlantic Christian were eliminated on Friday. Virginia State and Apprentice will meet Saturday morning at 10:30 Eastern for the chance to advance to the title game against JMU.

Livestream for all games is available at wilsontobs.com.

Day One in the Books at NSAC Championship

WILSON, N.C. – The first day of action at Fleming Stadium was marked by solid play and several big innings.

GAME ONE: #3 Apprentice 8, #6 Lighthouse Christian 6

GAME TWO: #5 Virginia State 11, #4 John Melvin (FL) 6

GAME THREE: #3 Apprentice 7, #2 Mid-Atlantic Christian 5

GAME FOUR: #1 John Melvin (LA) 12, #5 Virginia State 5

Play resumes Friday morning at 9:30 am Eastern time at Fleming Stadium in Wilson. All six teams are still in contention in the double-elimination tournament. You can watch each game via livestream at wilsontobs.com.

Graphic by WildCard Entertainment

Jones, Leblanc, Snell Lead 2025 All-Conference Selections

New South Athletic Conference baseball coaches have selected Gavin Leblanc (JMU-LA) as the 2025 Pitcher of the Year and Tobin Jones (JMCC-FL) and Travis Snell (MACU) as Co-Players of the Year.

Leblanc, a senior lefty, made 11 starts for the Millers with a 5-2 Record, threw for 63.1 Innings, giving up only 46 hits and 27 walks, with 85 strikeouts for a 2.84 ERA and .203 BAA.

Jones and Snell tied in the voting for Offensive POY.

Jones, a 6’3″ sophomore outfielder, had a batting average of .375 in 72 ABs, a slugging percentage of .819 for an OPS of 1.284, with 27 hits, 9 homers, and 24 RBIs.

Senior outfielder Snell also put up impressive numbers for the Mustangs, batting .447 with 129 PA’s, a slugging percentage .660, with 5 HRs and 28 RBIs.

“Congratulations to our players of the year as well as all of the outstanding student-athletes that make up the 2025 NSAC All-Conference Team,” said commissioner Mike Davis. “They have made this one of the most exciting campaigns yet in NSAC baseball, with more fireworks to come in Wilson.”

2025 All-Conference First Team

  • Zander Mizelle, P, Apprentice
  • Charley Higginbotham, P, Apprentice
  • Kevin Rodriguez, P, Atlantis
  • Dakota Jacobsen, P, MACU
  • Jeremiah Cabrera, P, MACU
  • Tobin Jones, OF, JMCC (FL)
  • Trevor Durr, C, JMU
  • Jaden Guthrie, 2B, Virginia State
  • Nate Yeary, OF, Apprentice
  • L. Valentin, Lighthouse
  • Jeremy Harmon, C, Apprentice
  • Travis Snell, OF, MACU
  • Thomas Ealey, OF, Virginia State
  • Braeden Morgan, 2B, JMU (LA)
  • Eduardo Perez, C, Atlantis
  • Justin Suarez, 2B, Atlantis
  • Landen Miller, C/DH, MACU
  • Gavin Leblanc, P, JMU (LA)

All-Conference Second Team

  • Dalon Arrington, P, MACU
  • Garrett Walker, P, JMU (LA)
  • Caleb Ougel, P, JMU (LA)
  • Cole Crocker, P, JMCC (FL)
  • Logan Fleming, P, JMCC (FL)
  • Eduardo Roque, P, Atlantis
  • Jesus Gonzalez, P, Atlantis
  • Kevin Rodriguez, P, Atlantis
  • G. Deroche, Lighthouse
  • H. Molina, Lighthouse
  • L. Villasana, Lighthouse
  • H. Ojeda, Lighthouse
  • Noah Watkins, OF, JMU (LA)
  • Sammy Maddox, 1B, JMU (LA)
  • Connor Pleasant, SS, JMU (LA)
  • Nick Redman, P, Apprentice
  • Josiah Collado, C/OF, MACU
  • Rafael (RJ) Cabrera, IF, MACU
  • Victor Johnson, OF, Virginia State
  • Jacquan Tucker, 1B, Virginia State
  • TJ McGowan, 3B, Virginia State
  • Marcos Medina, INF, Atlantis
  • Nathaniel Gomez, CF, Atlantis
  • Gianni Rodriguez 3B/DH, Atlantis
  • Hunter Johnson, IF, Apprentice
  • Camden Richardson, P, Apprentice
  • Jett Winslow, IF, Apprentice

Image courtesy Carla Walker/SportsPicsByCarla; WildCard Entertainment

Baseball All-Academic Team Recognized

The New South Athletic Conference is proud to honor the baseball players from its member institutions who have made academics a priority. “These young men are to be commended for their commitment to academic excellence as well as athletics,” said commissioner Mike Davis. “It is my privilege to congratulate them on a job well done.”

Each student-athlete must carry a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0-point scale to be recognized as an All-Academic Team Member.

The Apprentice School

  • Jaeden Anderson
  • Justin Bradshaw
  • Tommy Distler
  • Jeremy Harmon
  • Aiden Henry
  • Hunter Johnson
  • Isaac McCallister
  • Chase Mytrysak
  • Matt Phoebus
  • Bryce Post
  • Caleb Russwell
  • Jake Sanchez-Tiller
  • Camden Weston

Atlantis University

  • Alejandro Uribe
  • Jonathan Vassllo
  • Justin Suarez
  • Travis Knowles
  • Joshua Polanco
  • Matthew Lopez
  • Ozzyel Gabbarro 
  • Marcos Medina 
  • Eduardo Roque 
  • Alex Socarras
  • Jesus Ramos
  • Francisco Bracho
  • Walter Mamarella 
  • Jonathan Mustlier 
  • Diyer Schafer
  • Daniel Zayas 
  • Christian Olazabal

John Melvin Christian College (FL)

  • Zane Alford
  • Kyle Brealond
  • James (Tripp) Cameron
  • Braden Clark
  • Landon Cooper
  • Landon Glaesmann
  • Tate Glover
  • Reagan Grace
  • Daniel Hernandez
  • Raymond Missett
  • Dane Mallon
  • Preston Barnett
  • Cole Patrick
  • Logan Flemming
  • Brayden Plouffe
  • Logan Snowden
  • Cole Crocker
  • Isaiah Redfearn
  • Lane Kasper
  • Connor Rosenberg
  • Austin Holstein
  • Tobin Jones
  • Donovan Hawkins
  • Garrison Head
  • Jimmy Reynolds
  • Jordan Taylor
  • Zachary Barrientos
  • Kaden Fritter
  • Andrew Bailey
  • Timothy Lambert
  • Price Bowen
  • Avery Newton
  • Steele Marshall
  • Grant Belote
  • Brodie Dalton

John Melvin University (LA)

  • Andrew Ashby
  • Gavin Gary
  • Trevor Durr
  • Connor Pleasant
  • Willy Flynn
  • Gavin LeBlanc
  • Noah Watkins
  • Peyton Ford
  • Sammy Maddox
  • Sam Crowe
  • Garrett Walker
  • Josh Guidroz
  • Troy Morel
  • Gavin Walker
  • Taylor Walters
  • Bryce Oquinn 
  • Caleb Ougel
  • Jonah Callais
  • Lane Kratzer
  • Luke Primeaux
  • Braeden Morgan
  • Cabet Blanchard
  • JT Teuton
  • Cooper Chase
  • Zayne Earl
  • Tyler Knippers
  • Eli Musgraves
  • Josh Jones
  • Kohen LeJeune
  • Noah Berg
  • Brian Ellender
  • Jackson Day
  • Connor Molaison
  • Colt LeJeune
  • Trey Lagrange
  • Raylee Thomas

Lighthouse Christian College

  • Luis “Valentin” Diaz
  • James Andrew Davis 
  • Juan Pablo Finol 
  • Yhulman Ryhan Ortiz 
  • Trevor Jeremiah Medlin 
  • Dilan Veras 
  • Jose Alejandro Sanchez 
  • Quinton Renfroe 
  • Jean Carlos Quezada Sosa 
  • Gavin Neade 
  • Joshua Landis 
  • Trent Austin Knighten 
  • Robert-Isaac Gates 
  • Solomon Gant 
  • Carlos Brown 
  • Clayton “Clay” Allen 

Mid-Atlantic Christian University

  • Dalon Arrington
  • Titus Bleckley
  • RJ Cabrera
  • Josiah Collado
  • Aidan Guise
  • Dakota Inman
  • Landon Miller
  • Travis Snell
  • Tristan Stinson

Virginia State University

  • Preston Branzelle 
  • Alex Dayle
  • Thomas Ealey
  • Jayden Guthrie
  • Andrew Jackson
  • Norman Jackson 
  • David Johnson
  • Charles Jones
  • Gene Ligon
  • Josh Mahon
  • TJ McGowan
  • Marquis Smith 
  • Jaquan Tucker
  •  Julius Turner

Photo by Harati Project on Unsplash

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

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

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

Virginia State-Lighthouse Christian Series Postponed

ETTRICK, Va. – Virginia State baseball coach Merrill Morgan has announced this weekend’s NSAC series versus Lighthouse Christian College (4-19) has been postponed. A makeup date will be announced once it has been determined. 

The Trojans will be back in action Wednesday April 9 @ 5 p.m. against Christendom College (9-10). 

Story courtesy VSU Athletics; image courtesy Chris Waugaman

Apprentice Sweeps Championship Saturday to Claim First NSAC Baseball Title

WILSON, N.C. – After being shut out by Lighthouse Christian in the opening round, The Apprentice School came back with a vengeance on Saturday to win both games against the Makos and claim its first New South Conference baseball title.

A deeper bullpen proved the difference with both games being decided by the 10-run rule, 19-9 in the first and 15-3 in the second.

Apprentice (39-8) came into the tournament ranked eighth in the final USCAA regular season baseball poll and now awaits to see its opponent in next week’s Small College World Series.

Lighthouse (5-29) stunned the Builders 5-0 on Thursday, holding Apprentice scoreless for the first time this season. The Makos then followed that with an 11-9 win over Virginia State on Friday, only the fifth win for the first-year baseball program from Pensacola, Florida. The Builders advanced to the championship round by downing VSU 11-1 in Friday’s elimination game.

But Lighthouse’s magical run was to end there as the Builders, already touting the best record in school history, pulled away from the Makos in both games on Saturday.