Category: News

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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Trojans Go Yard Twice in Win over Bluefield State

ETTRICK, Va. – The Virginia State University Baseball team took on Bluefield State University (4-29) in a double header and dropped game one 5-3 and won game two 4-2 after hitting a pair of home runs.

GAME 1 BSU 5 VSU 3

Both teams would get a runner on in the first. In the bottom of the second VSU would get Victor Johnson and Jaron Ward on second and third with no one out, but they would be left stranded.

The Big Blue would score in the fourth after starting off with a walk, a steal of second then third. An error by the catcher allowed the runner to come around to score.

Then in the fifth Bluefield State would hit a grand slam to left field.

The Trojans mounted a two-out comeback in the bottom of the seventh. David Johnson started the rally with a single, Thomas Ealy then doubled down the right field line. Jaden Guthrie then hit a 2-RBI double to left. TJ McGowan was then Hit by Pitch, followed by Jaquan Tucker getting on via an error to bring home a third run. The next batter would ground out to third to end the game.

GAME 2 VSU 4 BSU 2

In the first inning the Big Blue managed to get runners on second and third with two outs. The next batter then singled to left field to bring both the runner’s home.

The Trojans got on the board in the fourth when Guthrie hit a home run, then in the fifth Norman Jackson started the inning with a single to left followed by a single to left center by Erik Romero. Thomas Ealey then hit his second career home run just over the right field fence to make it a 4-2 game.

Gavin Stevens pitched all seven innings and after the first inning only allowed three hits while striking out eight. Stevens picked up his third win of the season.

With the victory, Virginia State improves to 6-19 on the season. The Trojans return to action this Tuesday, April 15, for a home doubleheader against Lighthouse Christian. Game one is set for a 2:00 p.m.

Story courtesy Virginia State Athletics; Image courtesy VSU and Chris Waugaman @Waugtography

Atlantis Drops 2 of 3 at Trinity Baptist

JACKSONVILLE, Fl. – A three-run fifth-inning rally pulled Trinity Baptist College to within a run, and lightning shortened the game to six innings in the opener of three with USCAA Atlantis University. Atlantis added one in the sixth and won the opener 5-3.

GAME ONE

Trailing 4-0 as they came up in the bottom of the fifth, the Eagles loaded the bases with 1 out. Ryan Onkst started the rally with a base hit to right, and Logan McGann walked. A pitch then hit Gavin Williams to put an Eagle on every base.

Larson Lott chopped one over the pitcher’s head, and Onkst scored the first run of the inning. Seth Reeves followed with a clean single to center to drive in McGann. Williams had stopped at third before the throw from center went astray, and Williams raced home to make the score 4-3. Reliever Christian Olazabal entered and got the final out to end the rally.

Atlantis added an insurance run in the top of the sixth. Trinity got the tying runs on base in the bottom half, but Olazabal again ended the threat.

Umpires called the game after a third nearby lightning strike; the game was delayed twice previously for the same reason.

Onkst was 2 for 2 with 2 walks and a run scored while Williams and Reeves collected hits. Blake Bandy pitched 2 solid innings, allowing only an unearned run, and Braydin Bailey worked 2.2 innings of 1-run relief. Atlantis got solo home runs from Marco Medina, Ozzyel Gabarro, and Nathaniel Gomez.

GAME TWO

Graham Gorman raced home for the walk-off win in Game 1 of Saturday’s twin bill, and Gavin Williams drove in 4 runs to lead his team to the Game 2 win as TBC Eagles Baseball swept the Saturday double-header with Atlantis University.

Gorman doubled with 1 out and the bases empty in the bottom of the seventh to put the winning run on base. After Seth Reeves was hit, both base runners advanced on a line drive from Nate Nogueras that first baseman Marco Medino knocked down on the dive then regrouped to nip Nogueras at first. The first pitch to Dominic Gattinella ricocheted off the catcher’s mitt, allowing Gorman to race home with the game-winning run.

Gorman also scored in TBC’s big 5-run bottom of the first. Running for Onkst (leadoff walk), Gorman scored on Larson Lott’s two-run double to center that also drove in Gavin Williams (hit by pitch) from first. Later in the inning, Tyson LaChapelle lined a double down the left-field line that cleared the bases, driving in Jack Musgrave (running for Lott), Nogueras (walk), and Gattinella (walk). TBC led 5-1, and that was all the Eagles would get until the seventh.

Atlantis got a sacrifice fly in the first from Eduardo Perez and a pair of two-run doubles from Nathaniel Gomez in the second to make it 5-3 and Jonathan Mustelier to tie the score in the fifth.

Drew Billings then settled in to get a ground ball then a 3U-6 double play to end the inning. He then retired 6 of the 7 men he faced over the final two innings to keep the game tied, and the offense rewarded him with his third win in relief.

GAME THREE

Williams accounted for 6 of TBC’s 7 runs off his bat and got credit for 4 RBI. Williams laced a pair of two-run doubles in the first and fourth innings. In the first, after Ryan Onkst and Logan McGann singled to start the game, Williams doubled to left to drive in both men, and Trinity led 2-0. In the fourth, Onkst, McGann, and Williams repeated the rally when Williams took one off the center field wall for his second two-run double of the game.

In between, Williams completed a three-run rally in the bottom of the third with a two-out fly ball to right that dropped out of the glove and safely onto the ground. Tyson LaChapelle and McGann both scored on the error, and TBC led 5-2. Just before, McGann beat out the relay throw to first in attempt to end the inning on a 6-4-3 double play. Dominic Gattinella (leadoff single) scored the run that put Trinity Baptist ahead for good.

Atlantis answered Williams’s first blow with a pair in the second to tie the score at 2-2 via a sacrifice fly and run-scoring single. AU then got single runs in the fourth and fifth innings on a sacrifice fly and bases-loaded hit batsman.

Starter Darren Goeke, Jr. won it with a line of 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 3 BB, and 1 K. Trey Rosado and Drew Billings combined for the fifth inning, and Nate Nogueras closed it out for his first save with 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 HP, and 2 BB. With Atlantis threatening and the bases loaded with 1 out, he got a strikeout and a fly ball to Williams to end the game.

Ryan Onkst was on base 10 (officially 9) of his 12 times up in the series. Gatinella was 2 for 5 with a 2B, 3 BB, and 2 R. Eight of TBC’s 20 hits in the series were doubles.

Story and image courtesy Trinity Baptist Athletics