BLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech baseball program officially started the fall season this afternoon with a 3 p.m. practice at English Field at Union Park. There will be a number of new faces for the Hokies this upcoming season and head coach John Szefc is excited to announce the newcomers to the baseball program.
The breakdown of the 24 newest members includes nine junior transfers and 15 freshmen. They came from all parts of the country, representing 10 different states with the largest coming from Virginia (6), followed by Washington (4), Florida (4), New Jersey (3) and Pennsylvania (2). There is one player each from Georgia, Maryland Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. Pitching makes up half of the newcomers with 12 joining the program, seven righties and five lefties, while there are nine infielders, two outfielders and one catcher.
"It's the largest class that we've ever dealt with here, however we needed a large influx of talent to come into the program – I think everybody would agree with that – the biggest thing for me and our staff is that it hits on every need we had as far as the mound and position-by-position," Szefc said. "One of the biggest areas we struggled with last year was our lack of depth, so this should cover us in terms of depth. And when you add that group with a fine group of returning players, it makes us feel really optimistic going into the spring.
"It's a really good blend of talented junior college guys and talented incoming high school players. Kurt Elbin and Ryan Fecteau did a great job of putting this group together and getting them to campus. It's going to be nice to go out there with a large and talented group of guys that we just needed to fill a lot of holes and a lot of depth and we feel like we did that."
As a reminder, the Hokies will hold two exhibition games at English Field at Union Park, both on Friday nights, this fall. Tech will welcome the Charlotte 49ers for the first game on September 14, while the High Point Panthers will be on campus for the second game on October 5. First pitch for the Charlotte game is 7 p.m., while the High Point game will start at 6 p.m.
Below, please find information on each of our newest baseball players. The junior-transfers are listed first (alphabetically) followed by their position and hometown then statistics from their previous schools. Below them are the freshmen and the information they provided from their high school playing days. Clicking on a player's name will take you to their full bio on the website. Also, nine newcomers played this summer, and that information is included under their name as well.
JUNIORS (9)
Peyton Alford, LHP, Knoxville, Tennessee
Before Tech: Spent two seasons at Walters State Community College … As a freshman, appeared in 14 games, making seven starts … Posted a 6-2 record, which included two complete games, and a 3.45 ERA … Struck out a team-high tying 79 batters in 57.1 innings pitched (third most on the team) … As a sophomore, made 16 starts and went 9-1 with two more complete games and a 4.32 ERA … Struck out 90 in 77.0 innings, which were both third-best on the team … Helped the team to the world series, finishing as runner-ups and was named a tournament MVP.
Kerry Carpenter, OF, Eustis, Florida
Before Tech: Spent two years at St. John's River State College playing for coach Ross Jones … Was an all-conference, all state and all-American after both seasons as was the SJRSC Male Student-Athlete of the Year after his sophomore year … In his first season, played in 54 games, and finished in the top five on the team in 11 offensive categories … Was first in at bats (206) and second in hits (68), triples (2), walks (34) and stolen bases (6) … Finished third in runs (46), total bases (92) and average (.330), fourth in home runs (4) and RBI (34) and fifth in doubles (8) and on-base percentage ... Also led the team in sacrifice hits (8) with was 39th in the country (NJCAA) ... In his second season, played in 50 games, and led the team in 10 offensive categories, which included runs (51), hits (84), doubles (19), home runs (14), RBI (56), stolen bases (10), average (.433), on-base percentage (.511), slugging percentage (.758) and total bases (147) … Was second in at bats (194), triples (1) and walks (28) … Finished in the top 50 in the country (NJCAA) in batting average (26th), total bases (31st), doubles (46th), slugging percentage (49th), and home runs (50th) and was just outside in on-base percentage (54th) … Also named an Academic All-American both seasons with the Vikings.
2018 Summer: Seminole County Scorpions (Florida League): Named to the First Team All-League Team as the designated hitter … Played in 34 games and finished with a team-best, and fourth in the league, .336 batting average (39-for-116), as the 39 hits also led the team and was fourth in the league … Had six doubles, a triple and four home runs (tied for third in the league) for a team-high .509 slugging percentage, which was second in the league … Scored 17 runs and added 16 RBI … Drew 13 walks (third on team) and was hit by one pitch to post a .408 on-base percentage (second on the team, fifth in the league) … Was also 3-of-3 on stolen base attempts.
Jack Dellinger, RHP, Bellevue, Washington
Before Tech: Pitched a freshman season at Purdue and sophomore year at Chipola College … For the Boilermakers, appeared in 14 games, making nine starts ... Went 2-4 a 4.91 ERA … Struck out 26 in 44.0 innings … Notched a pair of quality starts vs. Kent State (7 1/3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) and Fort Wayne (6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB) ... Pitched in the Big Ten Tournament game vs. Nebraska and the finales of the Northwestern and Minnesota series … At Chipola, appeared in 21 games and made eight starts … Posted a 4-1 record with one save and tossed one complete game … Struck out 61 batters in 48.0 innings pitches, both fourth-best on the team … Started the 2018 NJCAA National Championship game, a 10-7 win for Chipola.
Jack Goonan, RHP, Ayersville, Ohio
Before Tech: Pitched for two seasons at Sinclair Community College … As a freshman, appeared in 22 games, all out of the bullpen … Posted a 5-2 record with a team-high four saves and a 1.46 ERA (best among those with at least 20 IP) … Struck out 38 batters (sixth best) in just 24.2 innings pitched for a team-best 13.86 per nine innings … As a sophomore, appeared in 18 games, all out of the bullpen … Posted went 1-1 with a team-high five saves and a 3.81 ERA … Struck out 41 in 26.0 innings pitches, again leading the team with a 14.19 strikeouts per nine inning ratio … Helped the team to the world series, finishing in fourth place … Team was regional champions and, at one point, won 31 straight games.
Dalton Harum, OF, Wenatchee, Washington
Before Tech: Spent two seasons at Wenatchee Valley College, earning first team all-NWAC region as well as ABCA Rawlings All-Region first team last season … As a freshman, batted .211 with 26 hits, including five doubles and six home runs for a .415 slugging percentage … Added 13 walks to post a .321 on-base percentage, while scoring 15 runs and knocking in 14 more … Also stole four bases … Had a breakout sophomore season, leading the team in batting average (.378), slugging percentage (.659), on-base percentage (.512) and RBI (54) … Was second on the team in hits (62), doubles (9), triples (2), home runs (11), and walks (37), while adding 47 runs scored (fourth on the team) … In the league, he led all players in slugging, was second in on-base and home runs, third in RBI, sixth in average and tied for eighth in hits.
2018 Summer: Port Angeles Lefties (West Coast League): Played in 36 games and finished with a .352 (38-for-108) batting average (fourth on the team in hits) with eight doubles (second on the team) and a team-high eight home runs (tied for the league lead) for a .648 slugging percentage … Scored 26 runs and added 20 RBI, both third best on the team … Drew 14 walks and was hit by five pitches for a .445 on-base percentage … and was 1-of-3 for stolen bases attempts.
Jaison Heard, RHP, Maitland, Florida
Before Tech: Spent two years at St. John's River State College pitching for coach Ross Jones … As a freshman, posted a 1-2 record in three starts and 15 overall games … Tossed a total of 15.2 innings, struck out 24 batters and had a 7.47 ERA … In his sophomore season, started a team-high 13 games and was second on the team with 64.1 innings pitched and 60 strikeouts … Posted a 3-5 record with a 4.90 ERA.
Dillon Larsen, LHP, Ellensburg, Washington
Before Tech: Spent one season at Central Washington and one at Lance Community College … At Central Washington, appeared in 11 games on the mound, starting four … Went 0-3 with a 6.38 ERA in 18.1 innings while earning one save and striking out 17 batters … At Lance CC, appeared in 12 games while starting nine, third-most on the team … Tossed 51.1 innings (third) while striking out 54 batters (second) … Posted a 4-4 mark (second-most wins on the team) with a 2.98 ERA (fourth-best).
Reagan Teegarden, IF, Bellevue, Washington
Before Tech: Spent freshman season at Washington State and sophomore year at Central Arizona … With the Cougars, appeared in 12 games, went 2-for-8 with two RBI and two runs scored … Drove in first career run with RBI-groundout at Loyola Marymount (Feb. 25) … Scored first run against Utah Valley (March 10) … Recorded first career hit with pinch-hit single against No. 28 UCLA (May 14) … Also had an RBI-single and a walk at No. 1 Oregon State (May 21) … Drew a walk against No. 8 Stanford (May 25) … As a sophomore at Central Arizona College, played in 32 games in the middle infield … Batted .358 with 34 hits, including four doubles and two triples for a .442 slugging percentage … Added 17 walks and was hit by two pitches to post a .461 on-base percentage, third best on the team, while scoring 19 runs and knocking in 16 more … Was 10-for-12 in stolen base attempts.
2018 Summer: Winnipesaukee Muskrats (New England League): Played in 35 games and finished with .296 batting average (37-for-125) with a team-high 10 doubles and two home runs for a .424 slugging percentage … Scored a team-high 30 runs (eighth in the league) and added 14 RBI … Drew 19 walks (third on team) and was hit by two pitches to post a .395 on-base percentage … Was also 6-of-8 on stolen base attempts.
Tanner Thomas, IF, Jacksonville, Florida
Before Tech: Spent two seasons at Tallahassee Community College, earning Coaches All-Panhandle Conference Second Team honors as an outfielder both seasons … As a freshman, was the only first-year player to see action in 53 games ... Led the team in at-bats (189), RBI (51, ranked sixth in the FCSAA), and runs scored (40), while finishing second on the team in home runs (6, 26th in the league) ... Overall, batted .296, with 54 hits, nine doubles and two triples, walked 29 times and stole nine bases … Also posted a .460 slugging percentage and a .404 on-base percentage … As a sophomore, led the team in at-bats (191), runs (57), triples (4) and walks (44), while finishing second in hits (60), doubles (11), home runs (6) and slugging percentage (.508) … Added 31 RBI, eight stolen bases and a .314 batting average and a .453 on-base percentage to his season totals.
2018 Summer: Waynesboro Generals (Valley League): Played in 13 games for the Waynesboro Generals and finished with a .268 batting average (11-for-41) … Scored three runs and added one RBI … Drew four walks and stole a base … Also, played five games for the Savannah Bananas with two hits, a run, an RBI and one walk.
FRESHMEN (15)
Matt Ballance, IF, Virginia Beach, Virginia
High School: Earned varsity letters all four seasons playing under Coach Tim Hummel at Cape Henry Collegiate … Was named an all-conference performer all four years … Earned all-state selections in his junior and senior year.
2018 Summer: Silver Spring-Takoma T-Bolts (Cal Ripken League): Played in 23 games and finished with a .221 batting average (17-for-77) with six doubles … Scored six runs and added 12 RBI … Drew six walks and was hit by two pitches to post a .294 on-base percentage … Also went 2-of-4 on stolen base attempts.
Nick Biddison, IF, Glen Allen, Virginia
High School: Earned varsity letters all four years played for Coach Tony Szymendera at St. Christopher School … Named the 2018 Richmond All-Metro Player of the Year … Was also the VISAA Division 1 Player of the Year … Earned the John R. Brisner Baseball Award and was the co-captain of the 2018 state championship team.
2018 Summer: Nashua Silver Knights (Futures League): Played in 42 games and finished with a .245 batting average (34-for-139) with five doubles, two triples and a home run for a .331 slugging percentage … Scored 18 runs and added 12 RBI … Drew a team-high 27 walks (seventh-best in the league) and was hit by two pitches to post a .371 on-base percentage … Also went 5-of-6 on stolen base attempts.
Jack Billings, LHP, Voorhees, New Jersey
High School: Earned varsity letters all four years pitching for Coach Mike Bylone at St. Augustine Prep … Helped the Hermits to the 2018 state title along with winning sectional championships the past three seasons … The team also was the 2017 Diamond Classic champions and the 2018 conference champions … As a junior, batted .418 with 41 hits, 23 runs, eight doubles, one triple, one home run and 31 RBI in 31 games.
Chris Gerard, RHP, Wayne, New Jersey
High School: Earned varsity letters for three seasons while pitching for coach Bob Muggeo at Bergen Catholic ... Finished his varsity baseball career with a 19-2 record while earning all-state, all-county and all-league honors … Named the Bergen County tournament most valuable pitcher, while the Crusaders won the county championship in 2017.
Cam Grimes, IF, Mechanicsville, Virginia
High School: Earned varsity letters all four years at Hanover playing for Coach Charlie Dragum … Helped the team to the 2016 state and two regional championships … Was named an all-state player and second team all-metro.
Alex Havlicek, RHP, Oakland, New Jersey
High School: Earned varsity letters all four years pitching for Coach George Hill at Indian Hills … Earned All-County, All-Conference and All League honors … Competed in the East Coast Pro and Area Code games.
August Haymaker, IF, Orlando, Florida
High School: Earned varsity letters for three years at Dr. Phillips under Coach Michael Bradley … Hit walk-off single in a district playoff game to advance the Panthers to regionals in 2017 … Led the team to the state's final four for the first time in 22 years in 2018 … Hit a home run against nationally-ranked Cypress Creek in a district semifinal to lead the Panthers to the upset win … Named All-district and All-Metro West … Earned MVP Award and Senior Legacy Award.
Nick Holesa, IF, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania
High School: Earned varsity letters all four years at Huntingdon Area under Coach George Zanic … Earned First Team All-Mountain League, First Team Altoona Mirror, and Second Team Perfect Game All-American in 2017 … Named Curve Classic MVP … Also lettered one year playing basketball under Coach Nicholas Payne as the team's center.
2018 Summer: Gaithersburg Giants (Cal Ripken League): Played in 23 games and finished with a .179 batting average (12-for-67) with a double, a triple and a home run … Scored 10 runs and added seven RBI … Drew seven walks for a .257 on-base percentage.
Mark Loving, RHP, Mechanicsville, Virginia
High School: Earned varsity letters for two years at Atlee High School under Coach Ken Schrad … Played two years at Hargrave Military Academy under Coach Brett Thomas … Earned first team and second team all-conference honors … Played one year at Benedictine College Prep under Coach Sean Ryan … Recorded 13 strikeouts versus St. Anne's Belfield along with one at bat hitting a home run.
Kevin Madden, IF, Glenwood, Maryland
High School: Earned varsity letters all four years at St. Paul's under coaches Pat Walsh and Eric Taylor … Had a six-for-six game with eight RBI in one game and hit a walk-off home run and was the winning pitcher in another … Also tossed a no hitter his senior year … Was also on the St. Paul's football team – earning three letters as the team's quarterback and had a seven-touchdown game as a junior … Played four seasons of hockey for the Crusaders as a left winger and earned four letters as well.
2018 Summer: Baltimore Redbirds (Cal Ripken League): Played in 28 games and finished with a .322 batting average (28-for-87) with five doubles … Scored 15 runs and added 19 RBI … Drew six walks and was hit by four pitches for a .376 on-base percentage and was 1-of-4 on stolen base attempts… Added a team-high four sacrifice flies.
Bryan Meissner, IF, Frisco, Texas
High School: Earned two varsity letters at Wakeland under Coach Barry Rose … Named First Team All-District and Second Team All-State while helping the team advance to the 5A State Semifinals in 2017 … Struck out 34 batters in 33 innings as a junior while setting the school single season ERA record at 0.42 … As a senior, named First Team All-District and played in the North Texas Senior All-Star Game … Had 56 strikeouts in 44 innings … Set the school record for career saves with 13 (10 as a senior) … Team won back-to-back district titles.
Skylar Petry, LHP, Richmond, Virginia
High School: Earned varsity letters for four years at James River under Coach Bryan Hannum … Named First Team All-State and was the regional Player of the Year.
Jonah Seagears, IF, Gainesville, Virginia
High School: Earned varsity letters for three years at Battlefield under Coach Jay Burkhart … Helped the team to a 2016 state championship runner-up finish and the 2018 regional title … Batted .348 and had a .561 slugging percentage as a senior … Also, earned varsity letters for three years playing football under Coach Mark Cox … Named an All-region performer as a wide receiver, defensive back and punt returner.
Nathan Starliper, LHP, Greencastle, Pennsylvania
High School: Earned varsity letters for three years pitching for Coach Eric Shaner at Greencastle-Antrim … Was a two-time first team all-conference honoree.
Carson Taylor, C, Duluth, Georgia
High School: Played two years at Hyde Park School under Coach Scott Ruffcorn … Played two years at Greater Atlanta Christian School under Coach Robbie Wilson and earned letters all four seasons … Two-time Perfect Game honorable mention All American and first team all-state after junior and senior seasons … Atlanta Braves High School All-Star team … Finished with the most RBI and doubles in a season at Greater Atlanta Christian School … Also only player in school history to not strike out in a single year … Played one season of football at Hyde Park, as a middle linebacker and wide receiver.
2018 Summer: Bethesda Big Train (Cal Ripken League): Named to the First Team All-League Team at third base … Played in 38 games and finished with a .318 batting average (49-for-154), as the 49 hits led the team and was second in the league … Had 11 doubles (third on the team, fifth in the league), a triple and three home runs for a .461 slugging percentage … Scored 28 runs (fourth) and was second on the team (and in the league) with 41 RBI … Also drew 16 walks and was hit by three pitches for a .378 on-base percentage … Added a team and league-high seven sacrifice flies and was 1-of-4 on stolen base attempts.