SoCon

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SoCon Baseball Tournament '26 (tOWwQsXkzDU)

SoCon BSB Championship: Game 12 - ETSU vs Samford - Highlights

Box Score

Greenville, SC

Samford Bulldogs

Samford Bulldogs Baseball team

ETSU Buccaneers

ETSU Buccaneers Baseball team

2025-05-25 12:00 AM (EDT) | Baseball | Samford Bulldogs vs. ETSU Buccaneers | #6385348 | COMPLETE

SoCon BSB Championship: Game 12 - ETSU vs Samford - Highlights (32cBIHLR34c)

VMI Baseball

GAME DAY‼️

🆚 Longwood
🕕 6 p.m.
🏟️ Lamore Field at Gray-Minor Stadium
📺 ESPN+
🔗 https://t.co/XaRmyle6Pk

#VMIBaseCo | #RahVaMil https://t.co/KeL2CgW1ae

Tweet 2049111397204713644

ETSU Baseball

East Tennessee State University

Bucs are back at it against the Catamounts

🆚 Western Carolina
🕐 1 pm
📍Cullowhee, N.C.
📊: https://t.co/B4P5U4IhtB
💻 (ESPN+): https://t.co/uJUYL0iH7Y

#Together | #ETSUTough https://t.co/Ey30tgH2vA

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Here's how the Bucs will line up in the series finale against Western Carolina! First pitch coming up at 1 p.m. 

#Together | #ETSUTough https://t.co/hnj3ImaDSh

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Home run #7 for our #9 @LukeJMatlock! 

#Together | #ETSUTough https://t.co/TpooGTHrZV

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Mercer Baseball

Mercer

Perfect time to turn ✌️

@Miguel_Hugas dials up a double play to end the top of the seventh.

M7 | 🐻: 5 🐶: 1

DUE UP:
🐻 Kamaka
🐻 Baughcum
🐻 Kersey

#GoodToGreat | #WinnersWin https://t.co/BqNerxhY0Z

Tweet 2048133061628293590

7️⃣ strong for El Mejor 🇻🇪🔥

#GoodToGreat | #WinnersWin https://t.co/InGIEz4nos

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Series 𝐃𝐔𝐁 ✅✅

#GoodToGreat | #WinnersWin https://t.co/Oqx5fenkhi

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Hear from @EthanBuffone after mashing his first collegiate home run 🗣️🎙️

#GoodToGreat | #WinnersWin https://t.co/ksFoJKcCxq

Tweet 2048148238352445842

Job's not finished.

🆚 Wofford
📍 Macon, Ga.
🏟️ OrthoGeorgia Park
📊 https://t.co/gU0ycrJgXh
📺 N/A
🎟️ https://t.co/mT68Sna2Vl

#GoodToGreat | #WinnersWin https://t.co/Gc8BMIWZGD

Tweet 2048401724516204548

𝐉𝐞𝐛 𝐛𝐮𝐦𝐩 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧 🤫

🆚 Wofford
📍 Macon, Ga.

#GoodToGreat | #WinnersWin https://t.co/ZSZRhTPs4x

Tweet 2048439468923748357

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – The Citadel senior Michael Gibson was named SoCon Baseball Player of the Week and Mercer junior Miguel Hugas was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from April 20 through April 26. Gibson (Rock Hill, SC. / Northwestern HS) was a two-way star for the Bulldogs last week, batting .500 with four runs scored, four stolen bases, five RBI, and a home run at the plate to power a SoCon series win over UNC Greensboro. The righthander also fanned five batters in 2.1 innings of work out of the bullpen on Friday to pick up a save in a 2-1 win over the Spartans. Gibson started the week with a 1-for-3 effort and a two-run home run in a 10-3 win at Georgia Southern, then followed with a 2-for-3 effort in the Friday night win. He went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI in Saturday’s win over the Spartans and collected one hit in Sunday’s finale. Gibson has been valuable for The Citadel this season, batting .347 with a .467 on base percentage at the plate, while going 3-2 on the mound with five saves. Hugas (Caracas, Venezuela / Shaler Area HS) tossed 7.0 innings and allowed just three hits and no earned runs to pick up a 5-1 win over Wofford on Friday, sparking the Bears to a series win – and Wofford’s first series loss of the season. Hugas fanned five Terriers, walked just one and threw 90 pitches in the victory. It was the second-longest outing of the season for Hugas, who hurled 8.0 innings vs. Tennessee Tech on March 14. Hugas is 7-2 this season with a 5.79 ERA in 56.0 innings of work. He has fanned 39 batters so far in 2026. Also nominated for Player of the Week: Cade Carr (Samford), Jacob Dilley (UNC Greensboro), Chris Katz (Mercer), Jamie Palmese (ETSU), Cole Raile (VMI), Trey Spees (Western Carolina). Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Owen Austin (Western Carolina), Mason Blanche (Samford), Noah Chapman (UNC Greensboro), Jim Douthat (VMI), Michael Harpster (ETSU), Will Holmes (The Citadel). 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)Mar. 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)Mar. 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar. 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar. 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)Mar. 30 – Parker McDonald, Sr., Samford (3B, Tallahassee, FL)Apr. 6 – Ben Timblin, So., Wofford (Signal Mountain, TN)Apr. 13 – Jaylen Jones, R-Fr., Western Carolina (Loganville, GA)Apr. 20 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)Apr. 27 – Michael Gibson, Sr., The Citadel (DH/P, Rock Hill, SC) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Mar. 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)Mar. 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Mar. 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)Mar. 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA)Mar. 30 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Apr. 6 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Apr. 13 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)Apr. 20 – Garrett Lambert, R-Fr., Mercer (RHP, Lilburn, GA)Apr. 27 – Miguel Hugas, Jr., Mercer (RHP, Caracas, Venezuela)</div>

Baseball Weekly April 27

SoCon White:Red Logo.png

The Southern Conference

Southern Conference

The Citadel

Citadel

BASE_POW_Apr.27

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – ETSU senior first baseman Tristan Curless was named SoCon Baseball Player of the Week and Mercer redshirt freshman Garrett Lambert was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from April 6 through April 12.  Curless (Amarillo, TX / Amarillo HS) was named SoCon Player of the Week for the second time this season after batting a sizzling .688 with two home runs, eight RBI, three doubles and seven runs scored. He forged a .737 on base percentage, a 1.250 slugging percentage and a 1.987 OPS over four games. Both home runs came in a 12-10 loss at No. 5 Georgia on Tuesday night, with Curless going 3-for-5 with six RBI in that game. He collected at least two hits in each of his starts for the week, which included a series win over The Citadel. Curless scored five runs in that three-game set, had three doubles, and also picked up a win on the mound in the Bucs’ 5-4 win on Saturday. Curless leads ETSU and ranks among the SoCon leaders with a .403 batting average this season. He has 13 home runs, 52 RBI, 11 doubles and 106 total bases. He is also 1-1 on the mound with two saves. Lambert (Lilburn, GA / Parkview HS) threw 6.0 shutout innings and fanned nine in a win over Towson Friday night. He allowed only two hits, did not issue a walk, and held the Tigers to an 0.95 team batting average in the win. The redshirt freshman righty is 3-0 this season with a 4.20 ERA in 10 starts. He has fanned 53 batters in 45.0 innings of work, with teams batting only .214 this season. Also Nominated for Player of the Week: Luke Boykin (Samford), Grayson Fitzwater (VMI), Cole Jones (Western Carolina), Chris Katz (Mercer), Marc Quarrie (Wofford), Christian Stratis (The Citadel), Brantley Truitt (UNC Greensboro). Also Nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Noah Berry (Samford), Cullen Condon (Wofford), James Fordham (Western Carolina), Cooper Jones (ETSU), Justin Speigel (VMI). 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)Mar. 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)Mar. 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar. 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar. 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)Mar. 30 – Parker McDonald, Sr., Samford (3B, Tallahassee, FL)Apr. 6 – Ben Timblin, So., Wofford (Signal Mountain, TN)Apr. 13 – Jaylen Jones, R-Fr., Western Carolina (Loganville, GA)Apr. 20 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)  2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Mar. 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)Mar. 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Mar. 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)Mar. 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA)Mar. 30 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Apr. 6 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Apr. 13 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)Apr. 20 – Garrett Lambert, R-Fr., Mercer (RHP, Lilburn, GA)</div>

SoCon POW Baseball 4.20.26

SoCon_Baseball_April.20

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – Western Carolina freshman outfielder Jaylen Jones was named SoCon Baseball Player of the Week, and Wofford junior pitcher Alec Bouchard was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from April 6 through April 12. Jones (Loganville, GA / Loganville HS) batted .438 over four games for the Catamounts, sparking a SoCon sweep of Mercer over the weekend. He went 7-of-16 at the plate with seven runs scored, seven RBI, two stolen bases, one double, one triple, and an inside-the-park home run. He went 3-for-4 in the Friday win over Mercer with two RBI, then followed by scoring five runs and driving in three to power a 17-9 win that clinched the series on Saturday. Jones had a pair of hits and two RBI in a midweek battle with USC Upstate last Tuesday. Jones posted a strong .500 on base percentage with 13 total bases for the week. He nine chances cleanly in centerfield, including one outfield assist. Jones has been strong for Western Carolina this season, starting 35 times with a .311 batting average, 38 runs scored, nine doubles, 23 RBI, and 12 stolen bases. Bouchard (Soddy Daisy, TN / Notre Dame HS) continued his dominance in a starting role on the mound, firing 7.0 shutout innings with a season-high 12 strikeouts in a 2-0 Friday night win at The Citadel. Bouchard scattered five singles in the win and, with his team clinging to a 1-0 lead, retired the final nine batters he faced before leaving the game to his bullpen over the final two frames. The performance comes on the heels of another sterling effort, which saw Bouchard toss 7.0 innings with nine strikeouts in last Friday’s 9-2 win at VMI. He has allowed only one earned run with 21 strikeouts over his last 14.0 innings of work. Bouchard is now 6-2 with a 1.64 ERA in nine starts this season. He leads the SoCon with 61 strikeouts, and paces the conference in wins, ERA, and strikeouts per nine innings (11.1). He ranks in the top three in the SoCon with 49.1 innings pitched, a .213 opponents’ batting average, and a 1.14 WHIP. In three SoCon starts, Bouchard is 3-0 with an 0.90 ERA and 28 strikeouts in only 20.0 innings pitched. Also Nominated for Player of the Week: TJ Anderson (The Citadel), Tanner Berry (UNC Greensboro), Cole Cook (VMI), Braydon Kersey (Mercer), Jamie Palmese (ETSU), Jake Souders (Samford), Logan Tribble (Wofford). Also Nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Noah Berry (Samford), Jake Colucci (UNC Greensboro), Michael Harpster (ETSU), Caleb Hughes (Mercer), Mason Snyder (Western Carolina). 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)Mar. 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)Mar. 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar. 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar. 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)Mar. 30 – Parker McDonald, Sr., Samford (3B, Tallahassee, FL)Apr. 6 – Ben Timblin, So., Wofford (Signal Mountain, TN)Apr. 13 – Jaylen Jones, R-Fr., Western Carolina (Loganville, GA) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Mar. 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)Mar. 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Mar. 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)Mar. 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA)Mar. 30 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Apr. 6 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Apr. 13 – Alec Bouchard, Jr., Wofford (RHP, Soddy Daisy, TN)</div>

SoCon Baseball April 13

Western Carolina

Wofford

Wofford College

SoCon_Baseball_April13

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – Wofford sophomore outfielder Ben Timblin was named SoCon Baseball Player of the Week, and Western Carolina junior reliever Mason Snyder was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from March 31 through April 5. Timblin (Signal Mountain, TN / Signal Mountain HS) batted .467 (7-for-15) with five runs scored, two doubles, three home runs and 12 RBI to lead the Terriers in four games last week. In the weekend SoCon series at VMI, Timblin homered in all three games and finished 7-for-12 (.583) with two doubles, three home runs, and all 12 RBI. He drove in five runs in each of the final two games of the series. In the 16-5 win over VMI in the series opener, Timblin went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and five RBI in Friday’s 9-2 win and finished by going 3-for-5 with a double, home run, and five RBI in the series finale. He posted a 1.200 slugging percentage and 1.700 OPS for the week, powered by 18 total bases. Timblin is batting .336 with six home runs and 40 RBI so far this season for the first-place Terriers (21-11, 5-1 SoCon). Snyder (Ocilla, GA / Irwin County HS) earned his second SoCon Pitcher of the Week honor after picking up a pair of saves in 4.1 innings of work for the Catamounts this past week. He worked a scoreless frame at Presbyterian on Tuesday night, before closing out the series opener vs. Winthrop with 3.0 innings of scoreless relief work on Thursday. Snyder came on for the final two outs in the series clincher Saturday, stranding the tying run at third base in a 7-6 win over the Eagles. Snyder is 3-0 this season with a 1.20 ERA and two saves in 13 appearances this season. Also Nominated for Player of the Week: Jacob Budzik (UNC Greensboro), Tristan Curless (ETSU), Grayson Fitzwater (VMI), Garrett Fulmer (The Citadel), Michael Graziano (Mercer), Jake Souders (Samford), Trent Turner (Western Carolina). Also Nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Alec Bouchard (Wofford), Noah Chapman (UNC Greensboro), Michael Gibson (The Citadel), Garrett Lambert (Mercer). 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)Mar. 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)Mar. 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar. 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar. 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)Mar. 30 – Parker McDonald, Sr., Samford (3B, Tallahassee, FL)Apr. 6 – Ben Timblin, So., Wofford (Signal Mountain, TN) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Mar. 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)Mar. 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Mar. 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)Mar. 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA)Mar. 30 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Apr. 6 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)</div>

Baseball POW April 6

SoCon_Baseball_April6

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://soconsports.com/article/59728/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Tickets Available for 2026 Holston Gases SoCon Baseball Championship
 </a>SPARTANBURG, SC – Samford senior Parker McDonald was named SoCon Baseball Player of the Week, and ETSU junior Michael Harpster was named SoCon Baseball Pitcher of the Week following games played from March 23 through March 29. McDonald (Tallahassee, FL / Lawton Chiles HS) led the Bulldogs to a 3-1 week and a non-conference series win over Presbyterian. He batted .615 (8-for-13) with four doubles, four runs scored, one home run, and four RBI. The Bulldogs’ third baseman coaxed three walks, posted a .688 on-base percentage, and produced a league-best 1.841 OPS with 15 total bases. He started the week with an RBI double in a 7-2 win at Troy, then followed by going 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a walk in a 7-5 loss to the Blue Hose in Friday’s series opener. McDonald came through with a pair of hits and an RBI double in Saturday’s 7-4 win over Presbyterian, then closed his week with a 2-for-3 effort and an inside-the-park, two-run home run to close out Sunday’s 5-0 series clincher. A first-team All-SoCon choice at third base in 2025, McDonald is batting .244 this season with three home runs, nine doubles, and 15 RBI. He has reached base safely in seven consecutive games and is in the midst of a four-game hitting streak. Harpster (Lynchburg, VA / E.C. Glass HS) earned his second SoCon Pitcher of the Week honor of the season after hurling a season-best 7.0 innings without allowing an earned run in a 4-3, series-clinching win over VMI Saturday. The righty fanned seven Keydets, walked just one, and scattered three hits in the win. Harpster improved to 4-1 this season with a strong 3.19 ERA in seven starts for the Bucs. Harpster has forged a 19-5 career record in his three seasons on the mound at ETSU. Samford (12-15, 1-2 SoCon) will travel to West Georgia on March 31 for a 4:00 pm first pitch, before returning to SoCon action at home this weekend with a visit from ETSU. ETSU (19-4, 4-1 SoCon) will not play a midweek game this week, traveling to face Samford on April 2 in the opener of a three-game SoCon series. Also Nominated for Player of the Week: Christian Stratis (The Citadel), Ian Guanzon (ETSU), Luke Jenkins (UNC Greensboro), Logan Shepherd (Mercer), Cole Raile (VMI), Walker Fox (Western Carolina), Marc Quarrie (Wofford). Also Nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Andrew Buffkin (The Citadel), Cannon Lee (UNC Greensboro), Jeb Johnson (Mercer), Noah Berry (Samford), Andrew Jones (VMI), Carter Burnette (Western Carolina), Cullen Condon (Wofford). 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)Mar 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)Mar 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX)Mar 30 – Parker McDonald, Sr., Samford (3B, Tallahassee, FL) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Mar 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)Mar 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Mar 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)Mar 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA)Mar 30 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)</div>

SoCon Baseball Weekly Awards March 30, 2026

Samford University

SoCon_Base_POW.March30

BSB Promo

2025 Baseball Championship

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – ETSU senior Tristan Curless was named SoCon Player of the Week and Samford senior Joseph Lee was named SoCon Pitcher of the week following games played from March 16 through March 22. Curless (Amarillo, TX / Amarillo HS) helped the Bucs to a pair of SoCon wins against UNC Greensboro over the weekend, batting a sizzling .615 (8-of-13) with six runs scored, two home runs, seven RBI and a 1.821 OPS over three games. He added a save and did not allow a run in 2.0 innings of relief work on the mound. In the series finale at UNC Greensboro, Curless was a monster, going 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run and three RBI in a 15-8 win. He roped a single into left in the fourth inning for a 6-2 lead, then belted a solo home run in the top of the eighth to put ETSU up 11-8. He moved to the mound in the bottom of the eighth and tossed two shutout frames to close out the win. In the top of the ninth, his RBI single was part of a five-run burst for the visitors. Curless went 2-for-4 in the Bucs’ 8-2 win that evened the series and was 3-for4 with a home run and three RBI in the opener. Curless has been strong in his second season with the Bucs, batting .373 with 10 home runs and 15 RBI through 22 games played. He has made two consecutive scoreless appearances out of the bullpen. Lee (San Jose, CA / Kings Academy) tossed 7.0 shutout innings in Samford’s series opener at Western Carolina, helping the Bulldogs to an 11-0 win. He fanned seven, walked two, and allowed only one hit in the complete-game gem – which marked his first decision of the season in seven appearances. Lee threw 109 pitches and faced only two batters over the minimum with the help of a double play. Lee is 1-0 with a 3.45 ERA and 26 strikeouts this season in 28.2 innings of work. ETSU hosts Virginia Tech on Tuesday (March 24) at 5:00 pm before welcoming VMI for a SoCon series on Friday. Samford steps out of conference for a midweek trip to Troy, before hosting Presbyterian College in a weekend series beginning Friday. Also nominated for Player of the Week:  Luke Holland (UNCG), Braydon Kersey (Mercer), Jake Souders (Samford), Cole Raile (VMI), Trent Turner (Western Carolina), Logan Tribble (Wofford) Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Evan Rolison (ETSU), Noah Chapman (UNCG), Garrett Lambert (Mercer), Hunter Sipe (VMI), Bryant Kimbrell (Western Carolina), Branton Little (Wofford) 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)Mar 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)Mar 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar 23 – Tristan Curless, Sr., ETSU (1B/P, Amarillo, TX) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Mar 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)Mar 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Mar 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)Mar 23 – Joseph Lee, Sr., Samford (RHP, San Jose, CA) </div>

SoCon POW March 23

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – VMI senior Grayson Fitzwater was named SoCon Player of the Week and Western Carolina sophomore Carter Burnette was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from March 10 through March 15. Fitzwater (Suffolk, VA / Nansemond River HS) extended his active hit streak to nine games last week, batting .583 (7-for-12) with a pair of home runs, three doubles, six RBI and five runs scored. The Keydets’ first baseman also swiped three bags and forged a robust .700 on base percentage – earning seven more walks over four games. Fitzwater walked three times in a midweek win at Norfolk State and took advantage of the strikes he saw to finish 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI. He followed with a 3-for-3 effort and a solo home run in the series opener vs. Cornell and closed out the series with a home run and three RBI in a 7-4 win. Fitzwater fielded a clean 1.000 over 32 chances at first base and powered his way to a 2.033 OPS for the week – his second week in a row in that stratosphere. He has hit safely in every game this month to date and has earned 14 walks over the past eight games. Fitzwater is batting .409 so far this season with eight home runs, eight doubles, 28 RBI, and 23 runs scored in 20 games. He has struck out only 11 times and leads the SoCon with an .894 slugging percentage. Burnette (Asheville, NC / Asheville HS) was terrific in a complete-game shutout of Morehead State. The righty fanned 10 batters, scattered three hits and did not issue a walk over a career-high 7.0 innings of work. He allowed only one extra base hit and needed only 78 pitches to complete the game. Burnette is now 2-2 on the season with 33 strikeouts in 27.0 innings. VMI (17-3) will play Radford in a three-game series this weekend, with the Saturday contest hosted in Lexington, VA. Radford will host the series’ Friday and Sunday games. Western Carolina (14-7) hosts Gardner-Webb on Wednesday afternoon before welcoming Samford to town on March 20-22 for both teams’ SoCon opening series.  Also nominated for Player of the Week: Jamie Palmese (ETSU), Aryan Patel (The Citadel), Brant Baughcum (Mercer), Tanner Berry (UNCG), Jake Souders (Samford), Wyatt Stanley (Western Carolina). Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Cooper Jones (ETSU), Michael Gibson (The Citadel), Miguel Hugas (Mercer), Joseph Lee (Samford), Hunter Sipe (VMI). 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)Mar 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)Mar 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA)Mar 16 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Mar 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)Mar 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)Mar 16 – Carter Burnette, So., Western Carolina (RHP, Asheville, NC)</div>

Baseball POW March 16

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – VMI senior slugger Grayson Fitzwater was named SoCon Player of the Week, and Western Carolina junior reliever Mason Snyder was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following games played from March 2 to March 8. Fitzwater (Suffolk, VA / Nansemond River HS) powered the Keydets to a four-game sweep of Western Illinois, sizzling at the plate with a .727 batting average, 2.000 slugging percentage, and a prodigious 2.789 OPS. He went 8-for-11 at the plate with six runs scored, four home runs, two doubles, and nine RBI in the series, and struck out only once. Fitzwater drew seven walks – including five intentional passes – and still managed at least one hit in all four games. His performance in Friday’s opening doubleheader earned Fitzwater D1Baseball.com’s Mid Major LOUD! Performance of the Day on March 6. He went 2-for-3 in an 8-7 win, launching the tie-breaking homer in the eighth. In the nightcap, he went 4-for-4 with three home runs and five RBI, sparking a comeback from a 7-2 deficit and tying the game in the seventh before a walk-off home run by teammate Seth Buchanan. He finished the day with an .857 batting average (6-for-7), four home runs, seven RBI, and a galactic 4.168 OPS. Fitzwater’s big day limited his opportunities the rest of the series, with Western Illinois choosing to pitch around his incandescent bat. All five of his intentional walks were issued over the final two games. He finished 1-for-2 in each of those contests with an RBI to complete the series sweep. Fitzwater now has 47 career home runs, the most in VMI history. Three more homers would put him in the SoCon Top 10. Matt Raleigh (Western Carolina) is the current SoCon home run king with 68 to his credit from 1989-1992. The SoCon’s Preseason Player of the Year, Fitzwater, is batting .370 with six home runs, five doubles, and 22 RBI through 16 games. He is among the league leaders in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and home runs so far this season, leading VMI to a 14-2 start. Snyder (Ocilla, GA / Irwin County HS) continued his strong early-season effort on the mound for the Catamounts, with two scoreless relief appearances in wins over No. 8 Georgia and Radford. In the win over the hot-hitting Bulldogs, Mason came on with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning after Georgia smashed a pair of home runs and a double to erase an early WCU lead. He coaxed a groundout to end the fourth, came through with a strikeout, and two clutch ground balls to strand a leadoff triple in the fifth to keep the deficit at one run. Teammate Mason Holton smashed a ninth-inning grand slam that gave WCU the lead for good in a 10-9 win. Snyder was strong again in a 10-0 win over Radford, picking up the win after pitching 4.0 innings of scoreless relief with a season-high seven strikeouts and only one walk. He came on in the fourth and finished the 7.0 inning game against the Highlanders. Snyder is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and three walks in 18.0 innings over five appearances, holding batters to a .153 average. VMI (14-2) will play its second road game of the season on Wednesday at Norfolk State. First pitch is set for 3:00. Western Carolina (10-6) plays at App State on Wednesday night at 6:00. Also nominated for Player of the Week: Nathan Conner (ETSU), Phillips Daniels (The Citadel), Eli Stephens (Mercer), Jake Barbour (UNCG), Mason Holton (Western Carolina), Cade Collins (Wofford) Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Cooper Jones (ETSU), Garrett Lambert (Mercer), Hunter Shuey (UNCG), Buddy Baker (VMI). 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)Mar. 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL)Mar. 9 – Grayson Fitzwater, Sr., VMI (1B, Suffolk, VA) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)Mar. 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC)Mar. 9 – Mason Snyder, Jr., Western Carolina (RHP, Ocilla, GA)</div>

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SoCon_Baseball_March.9

<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – Mercer senior Titan Kamaka was named SoCon Player of the Week and The Citadel junior Bryce Coulter was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following the third week of the 2026 season. Kamaka (Orlando, FL / West Orange HS) led Mercer to a 5-0 record on the week, slashing .615 / .727 / .826 in a series sweep of Penn and a pair of midweek wins vs. Florida A&M. He drove in five runs, had three doubles, patiently drew seven walks, and scored three runs in five starts at shortstop. In the series finale vs. Penn, Kamaka went 4-for-4 with two doubles and four RBI to power a 10-5 win. Kamaka currently leads the SoCon with a .514 average on 19 hits through 14 games played. He has walked 13 times and owns a stellar .623 on base percentage. Kamaka had a perfect fielding week at shortstop and has only one error in 42 chances so far this season.  Coulter (Sumter, SC / Sumter HS) was terrific against No. 21 Florida State in his longest outing of the season. The junior righthander tossed 8.0 innings, scattered four hits, and struck out four Seminoles while allowing an unearned run. He left the game with the score tied and received a no decision when Florida State pushed across a run in the 10th inning. The start was a strong bounce back performance for Coulter, who lasted only three innings in a no decision vs. Marshall last week. He leads the Bulldogs this season with a 3.38 ERA among starters, and 16.0 innings pitched. Mercer (11-1) will put a nine-game win streak on the line Wednesday afternoon at Florida State, before returning home to host Alcorn State in a three-game series this weekend. The Citadel hosts Georgia Southern on Wednesday night, then hits the road for a three-game series at Kentucky this weekend. Also nominated for Player of the Week: Nathan Conner (ETSU), Jacob Dilley (UNC Greensboro), Owen Prince VMI), Jake Souders (Samford), Trey Spees (Western Carolina). Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Tadan Bell (ETSU), Ethan Nobles (UNC Greensboro), Aidan Hayse (Mercer), Clark Driscoll (VMI), Owen Austin (Western Carolina). 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA)March 2 – Titan Kamaka, Sr., Mercer (SS, Orlando, FL) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA)March 2 – Bryce Coulter, Jr., The Citadel (RHP, Sumter, SC) </div>

SoCon POW March 2 Baseball

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – Mercer sophomore Braydon Kersey was named SoCon Player of the Week and ETSU junior Michael Harpster was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week following the second week of the 2026 season. Kersey (Alpharetta, GA / Alpharetta HS) showed off his versatility last week in four wins for the Bears, batting .400 with four runs scored, a double, two home runs, and 9 RBI at the plate, and picking up a save in two appearances out of the bullpen. Kersey’s first career home run came in the eighth inning of Friday’s series opener against preseason Ivy League favorite Columbia – a grand slam that put an exclamation point on Mercer’s comeback win over the Lions. He continued to shine the following day, going 3-for-5 with a double and another home run in a 20-6 victory. Kersey closed his weekend with two hits and a stolen base at the plate and came on to pick up the save in a 5-4 decision that capped the sweep. He also had a relief appearance in a midweek win over Georgia State, hurling a scoreless frame. Kersey is batting .296 on the season with 11 RBI in seven games played. Harpster (Lynchburg, VA / E.C. Glass HS) was sharp in his start against Sacred Heart, firing 5.0 no-hit, shutout innings to set the stage for a 26-3 win by ETSU. He struck out the side in the first inning and finished with nine strikeouts in the win. Harpster allowed only three batted balls to leave the infield and ended each of his five innings with a swinging strikeout. The junior righty has 13 strikeouts in 8.2 innings overall this season. Mercer (6-1) hosts Florida A&M in a two-game midweek series on Tuesday and Wednesday. ETSU (6-1) hosts App State on Wednesday in Johnson City. Also nominated for Player of the Week: Brantley Truitt (UNC Greensboro), Axel Melendez (ETSU), Zachary Hunt (The Citadel), Cole Cook (VMI), Wyatt Stanley (Western Carolina) Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Blayne Newman (Wofford), Noah Chapman (UNC Greensboro), Jess Ackerman (Mercer), Will Holmes (The Citadel), Hunter Sipe (VMI), Evan Myers (Western Carolina) 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)Feb. 23 – Braydon Kersey, Jr., Mercer (DH/INF, Alpharetta, GA) 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS)Feb. 23 – Michael Harpster, Jr., ETSU (RHP, Lynchburg, VA) </div>

Baseball Players of the Week Feb. 23

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – Samford junior Andrew Marble was named SoCon Pitcher of the Week and Western Carolina redshirt sophomore Noah Quarless was named SoCon Player of the Week following the opening weekend of baseball around the league. Marble (Hurley, MS / East Central HS) was strong in his first start of the season for the Bulldogs, hurling 5.1 shutout innings with only one hit allowed. The righthander fanned four batters and walked one, limiting Belmont to an .059 batting average in a 10-1 victory. Samford took two of three in the series against the Bruins. He retired the first nine batters he faced before allowing a single in the top of the fourth. He recovered with another strikeout and got out of the inning unscathed. Marble retired the final five batters he faced before exiting with one out in the sixth. Quarless (Winston-Salem, NC / Reagan HS) leaned on the dramatic to power Western Carolina’s sweep of George Washington in Cullowhee. The Catamounts’ catcher delivered two walk-off hits in the series. He drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the opener and delivered a walk-off home run to complete a 7-5 comeback win. Came on as a pinch hitter in the finale, driving in the winning run on a walk-off double in the bottom of the ninth. Quarless finished the week with a .600 batting average, a .600 on base percentage and a 2.000 OPS with two sacrifice flies, three walks, three runs scored, and five RBI. He also threw out a runner with a nice throw in the opener. Samford (2-1) hosts Alabama in a midweek contest on Tuesday, February 17. Western Carolina (3-0) travels to USC Upstate on Tuesday. Also nominated for Pitcher of the Week: Carter Oliff (ETSU), Alec Bouchard (Wofford), Carter Burnette (Western Carolina), Collin Ewaldsen (Mercer), Peyton Dhein (VMI). Also nominated for Player of the Week: Cole Cook (VMI), Harrison Campi (Wofford), Henry Ferguson (ETSU, Luke Boykin (Samford), Chris Katz (Mercer). 2025-26 SoCon Pitcher of the WeekFeb. 16 – Andrew Marble, Jr., Samford (RHP, Hurley, MS) 2025-26 SoCon Player of the WeekFeb. 16 – Noah Quarless, R-So., Western Carolina (C, Winston-Salem, NC)</div>

SoCon Weekly Baseball Feb. 16

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<div class="payload-richtext">SPARTANBURG, SC – Samford has been picked as the favorite to win the 2026 regular season title in the preseason Southern Conference baseball poll. Ballots were submitted by the league’s eight head coaches. The top of the poll was tight, with Samford garnering four first-place votes and 45 total points to edge Mercer (44 points) and ETSU (38 points). The Bears picked up three first-place votes and ETSU appeared first on one ballot. The coaches also selected the Preseason All-Conference Team and both a Preseason Player and Pitcher of the Year. Samford and Mercer each had seven choices overall to pace the All-Conference team, with the Bulldogs leading the way with six men on the first team. VMI first baseman Grayson Fitzwater (Suffolk, VA / Nansemond River HS) was named Player of the Year and Samford righty Mason Blasche(Hoover, AL / Hoover HS) earned Pitcher of the Year honors. Both were also named first-team All-SoCon. Fitzwater is the top returning slugger in the SoCon after batting .315 last season with 17 home runs and 65 RBI. The senior posted a 1.065 OPS, scored 53 runs, legged out 13 doubles and stole 11 bases in 13 attempts. He was a first-team All-SoCon selection in 2025. Blasche led the SoCon in wins last season, going 10-0 with a sparkling 3.24 ERA in 16 appearances (11 starts) for the Bulldogs. A second-team All-SoCon choice in 2025, Blasche fanned 56 batters and walked 13 in 72.1 innings of work. He also had one save. Blasche was 5-0 in SoCon contests. Nine players who earned All-SoCon honors last season appeared on the 2026 preseason All-SoCon team. In addition to Fitzwater and Blasche, ETSU relief pitcher Derek McCarley and outfielder Jamie Palmese, Samford catcher Cade Carr, second baseman Jeffrey Ince, and third baseman Parker McDonald, The Citadel outfielder TJ Anderson, and VMI outfielder Owen Prince built on their 2025 success with preseason accolades. All eight teams had at least one player on the preseason All-SoCon team. The 2026 regular season gets underway on Friday, February 13, with a full slate of action across the Southern Conference. All eight teams begin their season at home that day. 2026 SoCon Opening Day Schedule | Friday, February 13 (All Times Eastern)ETSU vs. Marist (Johnson City, TN) – 3:00 pmVMI vs. Delaware State (Lexington, VA) – 3:00 pmWestern Carolina vs. George Washington (Cullowhee, NC) – 4:00 pmUNC Greensboro vs. Kentucky (Greensboro, NC) – 4:00 pmThe Citadel vs. Liberty (Charleston, SC) – 4:00 pmSamford vs. Belmont (Homewood, AL) – 5:00 pmWofford vs. Mercyhurst (Spartanburg, SC) – 5:30 pmMercer vs. Troy (Macon, GA) – 6:00 pm Preseason Poll (first place votes in parentheses) 1.     Samford (4) – 452.     Mercer (3) - 443.     ETSU (1) – 384.     The Citadel – 305.     Western Carolina – 246.     UNC Greensboro - 167.     VMI - 148.     Wofford - 13 Preseason Player of the Year: Grayson Fitzwater, 1B, VMI (Sr., Suffolk, VA / Nansemond River HS)Preseason Pitcher of the Year: Mason Blasche, RHP, Samford (So., Hoover, AL / Hoover HS) Preseason All-SoCon First TeamSP – Mason Blasche, SamfordSP – Michael Harpster, ETSUSP – Garrett Lambert, MercerSP – Davis Wright, Western CarolinaRP – Derek McCarley, ETSURP – Champ Davis, WoffordRP – Collin Ewaldsen, MercerC – Cade Carr, Samford1B – Grayson Fitzwater, VMI2B – Jeffrey Ince, SamfordSS – Trent Turner, Western Carolina3B – Parker McDonald, SamfordOF – Jake Souders, SamfordOF – Bradley Garner, VMIOF – Jamie Palmese, ETSUDH – Trey Spees, Western Carolina Preseason All-SoCon Second TeamSP – Will Holmes, The CitadelSP – Noah Chapman, UNCGSP – Andrew Stanley, The CitadelSP – Jess Ackerman, MercerRP – Braydon Kersey, MercerRP – Owen Austin, Western CarolinaRP – Ryan White, Western CarolinaC – Phillips Daniels, The Citadel1B – James Layman, Wofford1B – Tristan Curless, ETSU2B – Tanner Hardin, WoffordSS – Titan Kamaka, Mercer3B – Brant Baughcum, MercerOF – Owen Prince, VMIOF – Axel Melendez, ETSUOF – TJ Anderson, The CitadelDH – Trey Higgins, Samford</div>

Baseball 2026 Preseason

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Nashville, TN

2025-05-31 02:00 PM (CDT) | Baseball | Wright State Raiders vs. ETSU Buccaneers | #6385707 | COMPLETE

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BASE Roundup - 5/31/25

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2025-05-30 01:00 PM (CDT) | Baseball | ETSU Buccaneers vs. Louisville Cardinals | #6385704 | COMPLETE

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Louisville rallies to knock off ETSU, 8-3, in opening game of Nashville Regional 5/30/25

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ETSU's Cooper Torres Named Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist 5/27/25

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2025 ETSU NCAA Baseball Selection

<div class="payload-richtext">GREENVILLE, S.C. – ETSU captured the 2025 Southern Conference Baseball Championship with a thrilling 7-5 comeback victory over Samford on Sunday afternoon at Fluor Field. The Buccaneers overcame an early four-run deficit to claim their first SoCon tournament title. Samford exploded out of the gate in the first inning, plating four runs on three hits and taking advantage of an ETSU error. Jeffrey Ince led off with a single to center, followed by a walk for Cade Carr. Parker McDonald then hit an RBI single down the right field line, followed by Matthew Strand's RBI single to center. Two more runs crossed the plate courtesy of a throwing error by ETSU shortstop Cody Miller and a wild pitch. The Buccaneers answered back in the bottom of the first when Tristan Curless lifted a sacrifice fly to score Miller, who had reached base and stolen third, cutting the deficit to 4-1. Samford starter Brooks Rice and ETSU's Landon Crumbley matched zeros in the second and third innings before the Bulldogs extended their lead to 5-1 in the fourth inning when Gus Gandy doubled down the left field line and scored on Ince's RBI single up the middle. The turning point came in the fifth inning when Henry Ferguson singled up the middle to start the rally, and JD Yakubinis followed with a towering two-run homer to left-center field, his fifth of the season, cutting Samford's lead to 5-3. The Buccaneers delivered a four-run sixth inning as Grant Gallagher walked and advanced to second on a balk before Jamie Palmese tripled down the right field line to tie the game at 5-5. After Yakubinis drove in Palmese with an RBI single, Miller singled to put runners on the corners. Cooper Torres capped the rally with a two-run double to left-center, giving ETSU a 7-5 lead they would not relinquish. Crumbley earned the victory for ETSU, allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits over six innings while striking out four. Brady Frederick came in relief for the Buccaneers, shutting out Samford over the final three innings to earn his fourth save of the season. Frederick struck out three batters and allowed no hits, retiring nine of the 10 batters he faced. Walt Nadzak Award (Tournament Most Outstanding Player) Cooper Torres, Sr., DH, ETSU Pinnacle Award (highest GPA on championship-winning team) Tristan Curless, Sr., 1B, ETSU 2025 All-Tournament Team SP - Mason Blasche, SAM SP - Colton Cosper, MER SP - Alec Bouchard, WOF RP - Evan Steckmesser, SAM RP - Terry Busse, MER RP - Brady Frederick, ETSU C - JD Yakubinis, ETSU 1B - Jackson Harris, SAM 2B - Travis Elliott, CIT SS - Cody Miller, ETSU 3B - Aryan Patel, CIT OF - Brayden Corn, WCU OF - Axel Melendez, ETSU OF - Jake Souder, SAM DH - Cooper Torres, ETSU</div>

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2025 SoCon Baseball Championship Recap

<div class="payload-richtext">ETSU 14, Samford 8 East Tennessee State erupted for 14 runs on 10 hits to overwhelm Samford 14-8 in the opening game of the SoCon Championship tournament. The Buccaneers showcased their offensive firepower with a pair of explosive innings that ultimately decided the contest. Samford struck first with a three-run opening frame, highlighted by Jackson Harris's RBI single and Matthew Strand's two-run double to right center. However, ETSU answered immediately with a five-run bottom of the first that featured small ball execution and timely hitting. Cody Miller and Cooper Torres both stole bases to set up the rally, while Axel Melendez delivered a crucial two-RBI single through the right side. The game's decisive moment came in the fourth inning when ETSU sent 11 batters to the plate and scored seven runs to break the game wide open. Tristan Curless launched a three-run homer to right center, and Melendez followed with his own three-run blast to right field, capping a six-hit inning that chased Samford starter Cameron Keshock. Cooper Torres led ETSU's offensive assault, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two RBIs, and two walks, including a solo home run in the seventh. Melendez finished with five RBIs on two hits, while Curless drove in three runs. For Samford, Harris collected three hits and two runs scored, while Cade Carr contributed three hits including a double. ETSU starter Michael Harpster earned the victory despite allowing five runs over five innings, striking out seven batters. Samford's Keshock took the loss after surrendering 12 runs (10 earned) in just 3.1 innings of work, walking four and hitting a batter. Mercer 11, The Citadel 10 Mercer utilized a three-run third inning and stellar relief pitching to defeat The Citadel 4-2 in a well-played championship tournament contest. The Bears advance with timely hitting and a dominant performance from their bullpen. After two scoreless innings, Mercer broke through against Citadel starter Anthony Hausner in the third. Michael Graziano led off with a single to left field, setting the stage for Ty Dalley's towering two-run homer to right field. Bradley Frye followed with an RBI double to left field, plating Brant Baughcum and giving the Bears a 3-0 advantage that would prove crucial. The Citadel answered in the fourth inning with a two-run rally of their own. Travis Elliott's single up the middle and Hausner's double to left field set up Thomas Rollauer's RBI single to center field. Lane Tobin's sacrifice fly brought home the second run, cutting Mercer's lead to 3-2. Terry Busse entered in relief of starter Jackson Gaspard and delivered 4.1 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits while striking out four batters to earn the victory. Collin Ewaldsen closed out the ninth inning for his fourth save of the season, working around two singles to preserve the win. Mercer added an insurance run in the ninth when Frye doubled down the left field line and scored on Titan Kamaka's single up the middle, providing the final 4-2 margin. Frye paced Mercer's offense with three hits including two doubles, while Dalley's home run was his 19th of the season. For The Citadel, Hausner and Phillips Daniels each collected two hits, with Daniels recording two doubles. Mercer 4, The Citadel 2 Mercer utilized a three-run third inning and stellar relief pitching to defeat The Citadel 4-2 in a well-played championship tournament contest. The Bears (35-24) advance with timely hitting and a dominant performance from their bullpen. After two scoreless innings, Mercer broke through against Citadel starter Anthony Hausner in the third. Michael Graziano led off with a single to left field, setting the stage for Ty Dalley's towering two-run homer to right field. Bradley Frye followed with an RBI double to left field, plating Brant Baughcum and giving the Bears a 3-0 advantage that would prove crucial. The Citadel (31-26) answered in the fourth inning with a two-run rally of their own. Travis Elliott's single up the middle and Hausner's double to left field set up Thomas Rollauer's RBI single to center field. Lane Tobin's sacrifice fly brought home the second run, cutting Mercer's lead to 3-2. Terry Busse entered in relief of starter Jackson Gaspard and delivered 4.1 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just four hits while striking out four batters to earn the victory. Collin Ewaldsen closed out the ninth inning for his fourth save of the season, working around two singles to preserve the win. Mercer added an insurance run in the ninth when Frye doubled down the left field line and scored on Titan Kamaka's single up the middle, providing the final 4-2 margin. Frye paced Mercer's offense with three hits, including two doubles, while Dalley's home run was his 19th of the season. For The Citadel, Hausner and Phillips Daniels each collected two hits, with Daniels recording two doubles. No. 1 ETSU and No. 4 Mercer Will play in the championship game Sunday, May 24 at noon.</div>

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2025-05-24 12:00 AM (EDT) | Baseball | Mercer Bears vs. The Citadel Bulldogs | #6385346 | COMPLETE

2025-05-24 12:00 AM (EDT) | Baseball | Mercer Bears vs. Samford Bulldogs | #6385347 | COMPLETE

2025-05-24 12:00 AM (EDT) | Baseball | Samford Bulldogs vs. ETSU Buccaneers | #6385345 | COMPLETE

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BASE Recap May 24, 2025

<div class="payload-richtext">No. 3 The Citadel 11, No. 5 Western Carolina 10 GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Citadel rallied from an early deficit to defeat Western Carolina 11-10 in a high-scoring matchup in the 2025 Southern Conference Baseball Championship on Friday afternoon at Fluor Field. The Bulldogs overcame a 6-1 deficit with a five-run fifth inning to advance to the championship game. Anthony Hausner led The Citadel's 15-hit attack with three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run in the third inning. Matthew Lively contributed three hits and two RBIs with a pair of doubles, while Travis Elliott collected three hits to help fuel the offensive explosion. Western Carolina jumped out to an early lead behind strong performances from Brayden Corn and Jack Spyke. Corn went 2-for-3 with a home run, two walks, and three runs scored, while Spyke drove in two runs including a solo home run in the fourth inning. The Catamounts rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to make it close but fell just short. The pivotal fifth inning saw The Citadel score five runs to take a 9-6 lead. The rally was highlighted by Lively's two-run double and Aryan Patel's two-RBI single. Western Carolina answered with three runs in the sixth inning to tie the game at 9-9, but The Citadel responded with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to secure the victory. George Derrick Floyd earned the win for The Citadel, pitching eight innings and allowing 11 hits while striking out five.No. 4 Mercer 8, No. 7 Wofford 6 GREENVILLE, S.C. – Mercer defeated Wofford in an 8-6 victory on Friday night at Fluor Field. The Bears jumped out to a commanding 7-0 lead in the first inning and held off a late Terriers rally to claim the conference title. Mercer's explosive first inning featured home runs by Brant Baughcum and Ely Brown, with Brown's two-run blast capping a seven-run outburst that put the Bears in control early. Baughcum led off the scoring with a solo home run to left center, while Brown followed later in the frame with his three-run homer after Titan Kamaka had walked and reached base. The Bears collected 12 hits in the victory, with Brown leading the offensive attack with a 3-for-4 performance and three RBIs. Parker Lester contributed two hits including an RBI double, while Michael Graziano added two hits and drove in one run. Wofford battled back throughout the game, getting home runs from Tyler Hare in both the second and eighth innings. Hare's two solo shots accounted for three of the Terriers' six runs. The Terriers scored twice in the fifth inning and added two more in the eighth to make it a two run contest but could not complete the comeback. Colton Cosper earned the victory for Mercer, pitching a complete game and allowing eight hits while striking out seven batters. Cosper threw 140 pitches in the championship effort.</div>

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