Category: VSU

Virginia State loses 5-4 to Claflin Despite Late Lead

ETTRICK, Va. – The Virginia State Trojans took a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning but could not hang on and fell 5-4 to the Claflin Panthers Tuesday in the opening round of the CIAA Baseball Series.

The Trojans got on the scoreboard first, starting in the second inning. Virginia State plated two runs when Antonio Boone left the yard with Jaquan Tucker aboard.

The Panthers then rallied to score four runs and take a 4-2 lead before the Trojans got back on the board in the seventh. Virginia State brought home a pair, with one run driven in by Boone’s single, which brought the score level at 4-4. Claflin then scored one time over the remaining two innings to break the tie and grab the 5-4 win.

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

Atlantis Knocks Out VSU 4-3

MILTON, Fl. – Atlantis University broke a tie in the fifth inning and held on to defeat Virginia State University 4-3 in Friday’s NSAC Baseball Tournament elimination game.

Atlantis opened the scoring in the first when Adrian Astudillo doubled home a run. Virginia State answered in the third on Luka Gilliam’s RBI single to tie the game at 1-1.

AU regained the lead later in the third as Romel Guerrero singled and Enrique Lopez doubled, each driving in a run to make it 3-1. The Trojans responded in the fifth, tying the game at 3-3 on Jaquan Tucker’s RBI single.

The Atlanteans took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning when Damarian Chung drove in the go-ahead run on a lineout.

Matthew Lopez earned the win, allowing three runs on six hits over seven innings while striking out five. Gavin Stevens took the loss.

Atlantis collected 10 hits, with Guerrero, Astudillo and Jose Ruiz each recording two. Tucker drove in two runs for Virginia State.

Tournament games 5 and 6 scheduled for Friday were moved to Saturday morning due to the threat of inclement weather. Play is scheduled to resume at 9:00 am Central time but may be delayed as field drying continues. Mid-Atlantic Christian and Lighthouse will meet in the day’s first game, followed by Atlantis and Millennia Atlantic in an elimination game at 11:30 am.

SATURDAY, MAY 2

Game 5 – 9:00 AM
Mid-Atlantic Christian vs Lighthouse Christian

Game 6 – 11:30 AM (Elimination Game)
Millennia Atlantic vs. Atlantis

Game 7 – 2:00 PM (Elimination Game)
Loser Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6

Game 8 – 4:30 PM (Championship Game)
Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 7

Game 9 – 7:00 PM (If Necessary)
Same teams as Game 8

All games are played at East Milton Park, 8680 Randy Brown Road, Milton Florida and streamed live here.

Lighthouse, MACU Big Day One Baseball Winners

MILTON, Fl. – Lighthouse Christian picked up two wins and Mid-Atlantic Christian chalked another on day one of the 2026 NSAC Baseball Tournament at East Milton Park.

Ethan Lopez went 3-for-4 and Brandon Williams allowed no earned runs over seven innings as fifth seed Lighthouse defeated fourth seed Virginia State 9-1 in the opener.

Lopez singled in the first, doubled in the third and singled again in the fourth. His first-inning single gave the Makos an early lead, and they added two runs in the second on an error and Trevor Walker’s RBI single.

Harelth Molina’s fielder’s choice pushed the lead to 4-0 in the third.

Williams earned the win, allowing four hits and one unearned run while striking out three and walking two. Preston Branzelle took the loss after giving up nine runs, one earned, on 11 hits in five innings.

LCC finished with 12 hits. Walker and Horacio Ojeda each had multiple hits, and Makos turned two double plays.

Norman Jackson drove in Virginia State’s lone run.

The day’s second game also ended in a 9-1 score with third seed MACU taking the win over second seed Atlantis.

The Mustangs opened the scoring in the top of the first when Nolan Colwell drew a walk and later came home, and a balk by Atlantis starter Fransisco Bracho brought in another run for a 2-0 lead.

Cutter Williams earned the win in relief, allowing four hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out three and walking two. Starter Markell Simmons gave up one unearned run on two hits across 2 1/3 innings, striking out one and issuing four walks.

MACU’s offense was paced by Julius Burke, who went 3-for-3, while Colwell and Brian Sanchez each drove in two runs.

Bracho took the loss for the Atlanteans, surrendering two runs, one earned, on one hit over 1 1/3 innings while striking out three and walking two.

Duilio Prosposito led Atlantis with two hits, and Traves Knowles Jr. recorded the team’s lone RBI.

The nightcap proved to be the closest game of the day as Lighthouse needed an extra inning to get its second upset win of the day, 7-5 over top-seed Millennia Atlantic.

The Makos opened the scoring in the first on Brandon Williams’ sacrifice fly, but MAU answered in the bottom half on Pablo Contreras’ sacrifice fly. The Macaws took a 2-1 lead in the second on Patrick Tavarez’s RBI single.

Jamarkus Jefferson tied the game for Lighthouse in the fourth with a solo homer to center. The Makos regained control in the fifth when Williams drove in a run on a groundout and Ethan Lopez followed with an RBI single to make it 5-2.

Millennia rallied to tie the game in the seventh on a sacrifice fly and Rodrigo Ruiz’s RBI single, sending the game to extra innings.

Lighthouse broke the tie for good in the eighth on Trevor Medlin’s RBI single and Harelth Molina’s sacrifice fly.

Gabe Brown earned the win, allowing four runs over six innings. Christopher Pinales took the loss.

Williams and Lopez each drove in two runs for Makos, which totaled 11 hits.

This sets up Day Two as follows:

FRIDAY, MAY 1 (All times Central)

Game 4 – 11:00 AM (Elimination Game)
Virginia State vs. Atlantis

Game 5 – 2:00 PM
MACU vs. Lighthouse

Game 6 – 5:00 PM (Elimination Game)
Millennia Atlantic vs. Winner Game 4

All games are streamed live here.

Hernandez, Hayes Lead All-Conference Selections

Millennia Atlantic’s Sergio Hernandez and Apprentice’s Brayden Hayes lead the 2026 New South Athletic Conference All-Conference Team as Hitter/Fielder and Pitcher of the Year, respectively, as selected by the league coaches.

Hernandez, from Venezuela and in his second season with the Macaws, put up impressive numbers with 42 hits in 97 at bats (.433 BA) including 28 doubles, 3 triples, 2 homers, 26 RBIs and 34 runs scored.

Hayes anchored the pitching staff for the Builders. The freshman righty from Warsaw, Virginia had an eye-catching 1.65 ERA and an 8-0 record in 13 appearances and 55 innings.

Congratulations to the entire squad!

FIRST TEAM

  • Sergio Hernandez, Millennia Atlantic, Hitter of the Year
  • Brayden Hayes, Apprentice, Pitcher of the Year
  • Brandon Willaims, Lighthouse
  • Jassiel Valbuena, Atlantis
  • Jaeden Anderson, Apprentice
  • Matthew Lopez, Atlantis
  • Titus Bleckly, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Matthew Sobrino, Atlantis
  • Ethan Lopez, Lighthouse
  • Preston Branzelle, Virginia State
  • Rodrigo Ruiz, Millennia Atlantic
  • Adrian Astidillo, Atlantis
  • Trevor Walker, Lighthouse
  • Colin Langley, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Pablo Contreras, Millennia Atlantic
  • Hagen Marse, Lighthouse
  • Norman Jackson, Virginia State
  • Jackson Thomas, Apprentice

SECOND TEAM

  • Seth Harrison, Apprentice
  • Grant Stratton, Apprentice
  • Antonio Boone, Virginia State
  • Landon Turner, Apprentice
  • Cutter Williams, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Jacquan Tucker, Virginia State
  • Nate Yeary, Apprentice
  • Victor Velasquez, Millennia Atlantic
  • Travis Knowles, Atlantis
  • Patrick Tavarez, Millennia Atlantic
  • Jose Ruiz-Galves, Atlantis
  • Jordan Luckie, Lighthouse
  • Chris Pinales, Millennia Atlantic
  • Jamarkus Jefferson, Lighthouse
  • Gavin Stevens, Virginia State
  • Landen Miller, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • RJ Cabrera, Mid-Atlantic Christian
  • Lennox Munoz, Millennia Atlantic

Builders Sweep Trojans to Wrap Up Regular Season

ETTRICK, Va. – The Apprentice School baseball team wrapped up its New South Athletic Conference schedule with a three-game sweep of Virginia State this weekend. The fourth game of the weekend set was canceled due to inclement weather Saturday.

GAME 1 – AS 10, VSU 2
The Builders scored 10 straight runs to start off the weekend series. Seth Harrison’s sacrifice fly in the first got things going before AS added two in the second. Jaeden Anderson singled before Nate Yeary got a RBI groundout to make the score 3-0.

The third inning is where Apprentice did much of its work. Landon Turner started the scoring with a RBI single before Issac McCallister and Anderson both had RBI groundouts. That was after Turner scored on a throwing error by the Trojans.

Yeary again brought home another run in the fifth on a single to stretch the lead to 8-0 before Turner scored in the sixth and Austin Wert singled in the seventh to make it 10-0.

The Trojans added two in the final frame to get to the final score.

GAME 2 – AS 7, VSU 6 (8 inn.)
Again, the Builders were first to the scoreboard, scoring a trio in the second. Winslow started it with a RBI single, setting up McCallister and Yeary for RBI singles as well to make it 3-0. VSU answered with four stright runs, all in the third inning to take their first lead of the weekend.

Apprentice answered in the fifth on a bases-loaded sacrifice fly by Harrison, but again the Trojans put more on the board in the bottom of the inning, scoring two to retake the lead at 6-4.

With their backs against the wall, Winslow came through with a bases-loaded single to tie the game in the seventh before Turner got a RBI single in the eighth to take the lead, giving Grant Stratton the ball to shut the door in the bottom of the inning.

GAME 3 – AS 4, VSU 3
The final game of the series started the same as the first two: Builders putting first runs on the scoreboard. Bradshaw got a RBI groundout in the second to mark the only run scored before the fifth inning.

In the fifth, Yeary broke through with a RBI single to stretch the lead to 2-0, but VSU answered in the sixth with a RBI double to tie it up. The Builders came back in the seventh with a run on a fielder’s choice and a Lucca Pascarella RBI single to take a 4-3 lead and did just enough to keep the Trojans from tying the game up in the bottom of the inning to get the sweep.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics; image courtesy Kaitly Olson @shotsbyk8lyn

Baseball All-Academic Team Announced

The New South Athletic Conference proudly recognizes the outstanding achievements of its student-athletes with the announcement of the 2026 Baseball All-Academic Team.

“This year’s honorees exemplify the conference’s commitment to excellence both on the field and in the classroom,” said commissioner Mike Davis. “Each student-athlete recognized has demonstrated a high level of academic success while competing at a high level in intercollegiate baseball, balancing the demands of athletics with a strong dedication to their studies.

The conference commends these individuals for their discipline, work ethic, and commitment to representing their institutions with integrity. Their accomplishments reflect the core values of the NSAC and serve as a model for future student-athletes.”

Each team member carries a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Congratulations to all members of the 2026 NSAC Baseball All-Academic Team on this well-earned recognition.

2026 NSAC Baseball All-Academic Team

THE APPRENTICE SCHOOL

  • Jaeden Anderson
  • Justin Bradshaw
  • Sean Condon
  • Baker Green
  • Aiden Henry
  • Isaac McCallister
  • Chase Mytrysak
  • Grant Stratton
  • Landon Turner
  • Jett Winslow

ATLANTIS UNIVERSITY

  • Travis Knowles
  • Walter Mamarella
  • Daniel Zayas
  • Matthew Sobrino
  • Romel Guerrero

LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

  • Clay Allen
  • Trevor Medlin
  • Jamarkus Jefferson
  • Carlos Brown
  • Brandon Williams
  • Trey Hughes

MID-ATLANTIC CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

  • AJ Bailey
  • Titus Bleckley
  • RJ Cabrera
  • Aidan Guise
  • Dakota Inman
  • Landen Miller
  • Evan Price
  • Markell Simmons
  • Tristan Stinson

MILLENNIA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

  • Erick Garcia
  • Dylan Diaz
  • Sebastian Gomez
  • Macintyre Askins
  • Isaac Martinez
  • Aden Edwards
  • Nick Sparafora
  • Victor Velasquez
  • Alejandro Contreras
  • Pablo Contreras
  • Chris Sanchez

VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY

  • Alexander Dayle
  • Luka Gilliam
  • Charles Jones
  • Gene Ligon
  • Joshua Mahan
  • Jerry Mitchell
  • DeCarlos Nora
  • Ralph Riviere
  • Nyle Shewmake
  • Jaquan Tucker
  • Julis Turner
  • Jaron Ward
  • Samuel Young
  • Antonio Boone

VSU Wins 3 of 4 from MACU

ETTRICK, Va. – Virginia State picked up a win in game one then swept Saturday’s doubleheader to claim an NSAC series win over Mid-Atlantic Christian.

In the opener, VSU rallied late to secure a 3-2 victory. After falling behind 1-0 in the fourth inning, the Trojans broke through in the sixth with a three-run frame. Johnathan Smith delivered an RBI single to tie the game before Jaquan Tucker lifted a sacrifice fly to give VSU the lead. Antonio Boone followed with an RBI single to extend the advantage to 3-1.

Mid-Atlantic Christian attempted a comeback in the seventh with a solo home run, but the Trojans held on for the one-run win. VSU’s offense capitalized on key opportunities in the sixth inning to provide the difference.

On the mound, Preston Branzelle tossed a complete game, allowing just three hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out five to earn the win.

Game two proved to be a defensive battle, with Mid-Atlantic Christian edging VSU 1-0. The lone run of the game came in the sixth inning, capitalizing on a Trojan miscue to plate the eventual game-winner.

Virginia State threatened throughout the nightcap but was unable to convert, stranding runners in multiple innings. Norman Jackson and Hector Rivera paced the offense with strong performances at the plate.

Gavin Stevens delivered a strong outing despite taking the loss, pitching a complete game while allowing just one unearned run and striking out eight.

In Saturday’s first game, A walk-off left Mid Atlantic Christian Univers on the wrong end of a 6-5 defeat to Virginia State University on Saturday at Virginia State University. The game was tied at five in the bottom of the twelfth when an error scored one run.

Virginia State University got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Luka Gilliam doubled to left field, AJ Boone hit a sacrifice fly, and Hector Rivera singled to center field, each scoring one run.

Mid Atlantic Christian Univers tied the game in the top of the fourth thanks to a double by Dakota Inman, a single by RJ Cabrera, and a single by Jack Wecht.

A single by Luka Gilliam gave Virginia State University the lead, 4-3, in the bottom of the fourth.

In the top of the seventh inning, Mid Atlantic Christian Univers went back into the lead after Landen Miller doubled to left field, and Brian Sanchez singled to center field, each scoring one run.

Charles Jones singled down the right field line, which helped Virginia State University tie the game at five in the bottom of the seventh.

Charles Jones earned the win for Virginia State University.

In Saturday’s first game, the teams traded leads before VSU prevailed in extra innings. The Trojans jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning behind a double by Luka Gilliam, a sacrifice fly by Boone and an RBI single from Hector Rivera.

MACU responded with three runs in the fourth to tie the game, then regained the lead in the seventh on RBI hits from Landen Miller and Brian Sanchez. Virginia State answered in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single by Charles Jones to even the score at 5.

The game remained tied until the 12th, when Virginia State scored the winning run on an error. Jones earned the victory

In the nightcap, Virginia State overcame an early deficit to secure the win. Mid-Atlantic took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on a Trojan error and a hit by pitch to Aidan Guise that forced in a run. State answered in the bottom half, tying the game at 2-2 with two bases-loaded hit batters.

The Trojans moved ahead in the second on RBI singles from AJ Boone and Jaquan Tucker, then added another run in the third after a Mustang error to build a 5-3 lead. Virginia State held on late to complete the 7-5 victory.

The series pulled the Trojans within one game of the fourth-place Mustangs in the NSAC standings.

Friday games story courtesy Virginia State Athletics; image courtesy Christ Waugaman @waugtography

MACU Wins Two Walk Offs vs Virginia State

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Brian Sanchez doubled in two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to lead Mid-Atlantic Christian to a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Virginia State Wednesday afternoon.

Colin Langley led things off on the bump for the Mustangs, allowing just four hits and one run over seven innings, striking out nine and walking none.

Sanchez, the number seven hitter for MACU, led the way with his game-winning double. The right-handed hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. RJ Cabrera, Dakota Inman, Brian Sanchez, and Julius Burke each collected a hit. Landen Miller had the most plays in the field with nine.

The pitching was strong on both sides. MACU pitchers struck out nine while VSU sat down 10.

Norman Jackson set the tone at the top of the lineup for the Trojans with two hits in three at bats. Sam Young went 1-for-3 at the plate and led the team with one RBI.

The second game had similar heartache for the visitors as MACU’s Burke broke open a scoreless tie in the ninth with a walk off single.

Cutter Williams started things off strong for the Herd, giving up just two hits over 7.2 innings, striking out seven and walking three. Markell Simmons got the win with one inning pitched.

Gavin Stevens opened the game for Virginia State and gave up seven hits and one run (zero earned) over eight and one-third innings, striking out seven and walking none. The Trojans turned two double plays in the losing effort.

Photo by Capture @Moments on Unsplash

Builders Sweep Weekend Series Over Trojans

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Apprentice School completed a four-game weekend sweep of Virginia State University on Saturday, using a blend of explosive offense and timely pitching to control the series.

The Builders opened Friday with a 4-2 victory, capitalizing on early runs and a four-run third inning to set the tone. Virginia State answered with late offense, but Apprentice pitching closed the door.

The second game quickly turned into a rout. Apprentice erupted for 10 runs in the first inning and rolled to a 15-0 win, highlighted by multiple extra-base hits and a three-RBI double from Nate Yeary.

Saturday’s games were tighter, but the outcome remained the same. Apprentice edged the Trojans 4-2 in the opener behind steady run production and controlled pitching.

In the finale, the Builders completed the sweep with a 5-4 win, scoring in five different innings and holding off a late Virginia State push.

Across the series, Apprentice (23-4 overall, 9-1 NSAC) consistently struck early and forced Virginia State (8-9, 0-4) into mistakes, outscoring the Trojans 28-8 over four games. The sweep extended the Builders’ winning streak and reinforced their position atop the conference standings.

Image courtesy Kaitlyn Olson @shotsbyk8lyn

Trojans Explode for 10 Runs in Win Over Christendom

ETTRICK, Va. – The Virginia State baseball team used a pair of big middle innings to power past Christendom, 10-4, on Tuesday afternoon. The Trojans improved to 6-4 overall with the victory.

Virginia State broke open a tight contest with a five-run fifth inning and followed with four more runs in the sixth to take full control. The Trojans showed patience at the plate and capitalized on scoring opportunities to build a commanding lead.

Christendom struck first with a run in the top of the third, but the Trojans quickly responded in the bottom half to even the score at 1-1.

The offense came alive in the fifth inning as Virginia State strung together timely hits to take the lead for good. A two-run double from Antonio Boone put the Trojans in front before Luka Gilliam added another two-run double. Samuel Young later delivered an RBI double to cap the inning and give Virginia State a 6-1 advantage.

The Trojans continued to apply pressure in the sixth inning, scoring four more runs to extend the lead to 10-1. Gilliam drove in two more runs during the frame as Virginia State created separation.

Gilliam led the Trojans at the plate with a strong performance that included multiple hits and four RBIs. Boone added two RBIs, while Young also contributed an RBI. Jaron Ward scored three runs and was active on the basepaths to help spark the offense.

On the mound, Charles Jones earned the win after turning in a solid start, allowing just one run over six innings. DeCarlos Nora III worked in relief to help close out the game.

Christendom mounted a late rally with three runs in the eighth inning, but the Trojans’ early offensive surge proved to be more than enough as Virginia State secured the 10-4 victory.

Story courtesy Virginia State Athletics; image courtesy Chris Waugaman