Category: VSU

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

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

Apprentice Sweeps Virginia State in NSAC Action

ETTRICK, Va. – The Apprentice School baseball team took a pair of New South Athletic Conference matchups over Virginia State Thursday, sweeping the Trojans on their home field.

The Builders took game one by a 3-0 score with all the scoring coming in the middle two innings. In the third, Nate Yeary brought home a pair of runs off a Trojan error in the outfield before Camden Richardson got the third run of the game home on a double that plated Jett Winslow.

In game two, the Builders got the scoring started on a Richardson sacrifice fly in the second inning before a passed ball scored another to push the score to 2-0. After a VSU homer in the bottom of the second, Apprentice scored an insurance run in the fifth on an error to get to a 3-1 final score.

With the wins, the Builders go to 5-2 in league play and improve to 19-11 overall.

Story and image courtesy Apprentice Athletics

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

VSU Takes Series from Lincoln

ETTRICK, Va. – After claiming the series win with two victories on Saturday, Virginia State dropped the third game in the three-game series against Lincoln University 18-8 on Sunday afternoon.

The Lions managed to get runners on the second and third in the first but were left stranded by a strikeout by Thomas Ealey. VSU managed to get a runner to second in the bottom half, but he was left there as well. The Trojans struck first after Victor Johnson was hit by a pitch. Jashua Mahan then bunted him over to second and a fly ball got him to third. Marquis Smith then singled to shortstop to bring Johnson home. However, in the top of the third the Lions scored six runs on three hits and two VSU errors to take command.

LUPA added three more runs in the top of the fourth. In the bottom portion of the frame Jaquan Tucker and Norman Jackson both singled through the left side. Hector Rivera then hit a two out single up the middle to score Tucker making it 9-2. The Lions continued to add runs in the fifth and sixth while VSU was kept off the board making it 13-2. LUPA added two more runs in the eighth before VSU offense exploded in the bottom of the inning. TJ McGowan started off with a single then advanced on a pass ball. Tucker then traded places with him as he doubled into the right center field gap. Jaden Guthrie then pinch hit and singled past the third baseman. Johnson then singled up the middle to bring home Tucker which was followed by an Erik Romero single up the middle to clear the bases. Jaron Ward, who came in as a defensive replacement, singled through the left side to bring home Romero, making it 15-8. Lincoln added three more runs in the top of the ninth and shut down the Trojans 1-2-3 in the bottom half.

Story courtesy VSU Athletics; Image courtesy Nakhii Young

Trojans Swept in Opening Series

ATLANTA – The Virginia State baseball team traveled down to Clark Atlanta for a three-game series which saw the Panthers win all three games. On February 1, the teams played a doubleheader with the Trojans losing 3-1 and 11-0, then on Sunday CAU emerged victorious 9-3 in a nine-inning game. 

GAME 1 VSU 1 CAU 3 

  • Both pitchers were cruising through the first five innings. Gavin Stevens struck out seven batters in five innings 
  • Then in the top of the sixth Thomas Ealey singled to the pitcher and stole second with only one out; he then advanced to third after a ground out. TJ McGowan then reached on a throwing error allowing Ealy to score 
  • In the bottom of the sixth CAU hit three straight singles to even up the score at one. Then a steal of second and a walk loaded the bases. A sacrifice fly to center brought another run across followed by a single made it 3-1 going into the seventh 
  • To start the seventh Jaquan Tucker doubled to center, but three straight ground out to short ended the game 

GAME 2 VSU 0 CAU 11 

  • Both teams were scoreless in the first. In the bottom of the second a CAU triple brought in the first run before Ealey struck out the next two batters to escape the inning 
  • In the third CAU added three more runs. After that the Trojan pitching staff would hold the Panthers off the board 
  • In the bottom of the sixth Clark Atlanta exploded for seven runs 

Game 3 VSU 3 CAU 9 

  • In the first inning Ealey singled followed by a Jaden Guthrie single got runners on first and second, then an error allowed both to move up a base however the Panthers would get three straight outs to escape the jam 
  • Clark Atlanta would add a run in the second and then three in the third  
  • Victor Johnson would hit a one out single up the middle before Marquis Smith walked. McGowan would then hit a double to deep left field to plate both 
  • Clark Atlanta would double up their run total in the bottom of the fifth 
  • In the top of the seventh Juluis Turner reached via an error. Ealey then hit a two out single to advance Turner to third. Guthrie then walked to load the bases, but a balk on the next batters let all the runners advance and allowed Turner to score. Tucker then walked to re-load the bases, but a strike out ended the scoring opportunity  
  • CAU would one more run in the eighth inning and the Trojans would go down in the top of the ninth 

Story and image courtesy govsutrojans.com