Photo by Jacques Morin
Cross Clayton: The last 20-game winner to pitch in Hillsborough, Clayton has started his second season with Gaston College. He has pitched in six games for the Rhinos, amassing a 3-1 record with a 3.74 ERA. On January 23, Clayton threw three shutout innings to earn the win as Gaston defeated Patrick & Henry Community College 15-3 at Sims Legion Park in Gastonia. Clayton earned the start and threw three perfect innings, striking out two. On February 7, Clayton threw a complete game as the Rhinos rolled past Pellissippi State 13-2 in five innings. Clayton allowed four hits in five innings, giving up two runs with three strikeouts. Against Sussex Community College on February 13, Clayton threw three shutout innings as the Rhinos rolled 18-0 in five innings. Clayton struck out four and gave up just three hits. Gaston is 20-2 overall, 4-2 in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association.
Dante DeFranco: At the end of his fourth season with the Charlotte 49ers, DeFranco transferred to VCU over the summer. DeFranco has started ten of the Rams’ 12 games, hitting .333 with two home runs and nine RBIs. In VCU’s 9-2 win over William & Mary on Sunday, DeFranco belted a two-run homer in the fourth inning. He finished 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a stolen base. DeFranco had consecutive multi-hit games against Virginia last weekend. On February 20, DeFranco hit a three-run homer in the first inning against Illinois. The Fighting Illini won 9-4 at Spring Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC. Against Holy Cross on February 14, DeFranco went 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBIs. The Rams are 5-7 overall.
Jackson Berini: In his opening games with the College of Charleston, Berini is already playing regularly. In five starts, Berini is hitting .294. On February 14, Berini went 2-for-3 as the Scarlett Knights defeated the Cougars 5-2 at Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Berini served as the designated hitter. In a 7-6 win over South Alabama, Berini led off and played left field, finishing 1-for-4 with an RBI groundout. The Cougars are 4-7 going into Tuesday’s game against Presbyterian.
Ryan Hench: After transferring from North Carolina last year, Hench has already played a role in some big wins for the College of Charleston. The Cougars defeated #6 Coastal Carolina 4-3 at Springs Brooks Stadium in Conway, SC. With the game tied 1-1, Hench came into the game in the fifth inning and inherited one runner. Hench left him stranded at second after inducing a groundout to first base. Hench threw one-and-one-thirds innings and allowed one hit and one walk. Last Friday, Hench threw a scoreless eighth inning in the Cougars’ 8-7 win over James Madison at Fluor Field in Charleston, SC. He struck out two of the four batters he faced. On February 22, Hench threw one-and-one-thirds inning of relief in a 7-6 win over South Alabama. In five relief appearances, Hench has thrown five innings with four strikeouts and one walk. He’s allowed one hit and one run.
Quinn Finnegan: As a freshman, Finnegan has already made two pitching appearances for Wagner against Virginia and Maryland. The Seahawks are 1-8 overall and will face Fairleigh Dickinson this weekend.
Garrett Sawyer: As a freshman, Sawyer has made five appearances for the Ferrum Panthers, which is transitioning from Division III to Division II. Sawyer made his college debut against Concord on February 8, coming out of the bullpen to work two-and-a-thirds innings. He struck out three with one walk and a hit batter. Sawyer started and threw four innings against Chowan on February 20, which the Hawks won 14-9. He struck out four in a no decision. Ferrum is 4-8, 2-7 in Conference Carolinas.
Ryan Honeycutt: After redshirting last year, former Orange first baseman Honeycutt made his college debut for Division II Lenoir-Rhyne. Honeycutt got an at-bat in the Bears 21-6 win over USC Beaufort at Durham Field in Hickory. Honeycutt replaced Mackenzie Wainwright at first base. The Bears are ranked #10 in Division II by the National College Baseball Writers Association.
Wyatt Hedrick: Starting his second season for Wake Technical Community College Eagles, Hedrick has made one appearance so far this year. Hedrick threw against Gaston College on February 18, a game that the Rhinos won 22-5.
Dominic O’Keefe: A senior for Orange last season, O’Keefe is now at Lenoir Community College.
