Baseball Tops Big South Transfer Portal Class; Ranks 76th Nationally
August 11, 2026 | Baseball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Head coach Jim Chester and the Gardner-Webb baseball team have announced the addition of 37 student-athletes to the Runnin' Bulldogs squad ahead of the 2027 season.
Via 64 analytics, the Gardner-Webb recruiting class ranks 76th nationally while sitting atop the Big South Conference for the second consecutive year.
"Our staff hit the ground "Runnin" this summer and I couldn't be prouder of the effort by Coach [Curtis] Robison, Coach [Tom] Cockill, and Coach [Cam] Medic, they were relentless in identifying young men of Faith, Character, and On-Field Talent", said Chester.
He added, "To deliver a top 100 recruiting class doesn't happen without a selfless and blue-collar approach. With an unbelievable group of returners, talented freshman, and impact transfers, 2026-2027 has the beginnings of a special year!"
This year's class includes the following players:
Jack Beard | Freshman
Charlotte, NC / Charlotte Christian
RHP
Beard delivered an outstanding 2025 season on the mound, posting a 2.10 ERA across 48 innings while recording 45 strikeouts and issuing just 13 walks. A three-year varsity starter, he earned CISAA All-Conference honors and was previously named the Perfect Game Fall World Series MVP.
Noah Entrekin | Freshman
Arcadia, OK / Edmond Memorial / Kingsmen Baseball Academy
LHP
Entrekin posted a dominant 2026 season, finishing with a 4-1 record and one save while recording 75 strikeouts over 47 innings with a 1.64 ERA and a .150 opponent batting average. He was ranked as the No. 2 left-handed pitcher in Oklahoma and No. 70 nationally, earning 2025 PG Preseason All-American and All-Region honors. Entrekin also received 2024 PG Preseason Underclass All-American recognition.
Harrison Frank | Freshman
Cleveland, OH / Holy Name High School
RHP
Frank is a three-year varsity starter and letterman, earning two Second Team All-Conference selections in 2024 and 2025 along with 2025 All-District honors. A three-year Scholar Athlete, Frank posted a strong 2025 summer season on the mound, finishing with a 6-1 record, a 1.34 ERA, and 59 strikeouts over 52.1 innings pitched.
Joe Kelly | Freshman
Evanston, IL / Loyola Academy
RHP
Kelly appeared in 12 games at Loyola Academy in 2026, totaling 32⅓ innings pitched with 30 strikeouts. He delivered one of his top performances of the season against New Trier, throwing five scoreless innings while allowing just three hits. Kelly entered the season ranked as the No. 19 pitcher in Illinois and was named a 2026 Preseason All-American Central Region Honorable Mention selection.
Dominic Marino | Freshman
Hazelton, PA / Hazelton Area High School
RHP / Utility
Marino is a four-year varsity letterman and starter who helped lead his team to three conference championships while maintaining consistent academic success as an Honor Roll student. In 2026 at Hazleton Area High School, Marino posted a .385 batting average with a .524 on-base percentage and .723 slugging percentage, recording seven doubles, three home runs, and 22 RBI.
Bam McNab | Freshman
Warminster, PA / Holy Ghost Prep
RHP
McNab posted a standout senior season at Holy Ghost Prep, finishing with a 1.29 ERA and earning Philadelphia Burbs Second Team All-Area honors for his performance on the mound. A three-year varsity player and two-time PIAA State Championship game participant, McNab helped lead Holy Ghost Prep to the 2024 PIAA Class 4A State Championship, earning the win on the mound in the championship game. He finished his career with 100 varsity strikeouts.
Hudson Newell | Freshman
Marietta, GA / North Cobb Christian
Catcher
Newell is a two-time 2A State Champion and two-time 2A Region 6 Champion who has earned All-Region honors as a catcher and PG All-American recognition. Newell posted a .388 batting average with a .508 on-base percentage while providing strong defensive play behind the plate, catching 158 innings with a 39% caught stealing rate.
Michael Martinez | Freshman
Chaplin, SC / Allentown Central Catholic
Catcher
Martinez was a four-year varsity player and two-year team captain who finished his high school career with a .322 batting average. He earned MVP his junior season and was Second Team All-Area honors while also being named a 10-time Perfect Game All-Tournament Team selection from 2021–2025. During the 2025 season, Martinez posted a .321 batting average with a .987 OPS, recording seven doubles and 17 RBI, while providing strong defense behind the plate with a .993 fielding percentage.
Jimmy Alfonsin | Freshman
Clayton, NC / Grace Christian
Infield
Alfonsin posted a standout 2025 season at Grace Christian, hitting .419 with a 1.281 OPS while recording 31 hits, 10 doubles, four home runs, and 20 RBI. A four-year varsity starter, two-time First Team All-Division honoree, Scholar Athlete, and Top 500 nationally ranked player, Alfonsin established himself as one of the top infielders in his class.
Nick Fumich | Freshman
Lima, OH / Culver Military Academy / IMG Academy
Utility
A four-year varsity letterman, Fumich was ranked as the No. 7 third baseman in Ohio and earned 2025 PG Preseason All-American and All-Region honors. Fumich posted a standout 2025 season, hitting .466 with a 1.111 OPS while recording 27 hits, 24 RBI, and 24 runs scored. He also received 2023–24 PG Preseason Underclass All-American recognition.
Colton Hicks | Freshman
Ashburn, VA / Independence High School
Infield
Hicks was named 2025 Potomac District Player of the Year and earned VHSL Class 5 and PBR All-State Second Team honors at first base. A two-time Independence High School MVP and multiple All-District/All-Region selection, Hicks posted a standout 2025 season, hitting .484 with a .914 slugging percentage, 18 extra-base hits, and 26 RBI.
Kai Howard | Freshman
Toronto, Canada / Bishop Allen Academy
Infield
Howard showcased his offensive ability during the 2025 18U travel season, posting a .362 batting average, 1.062 OPS, and eight home runs. He was selected to the 2025 Ontario Youth Team and 2025 Senior Future Games while also helping his team finish fourth at the 18U Canadian National Championship. In 2024, Howard earned OFSAA Gold Medalist and Ontario Eliminations Champion honors.
Landon Laido | Freshman
Little Silver, NJ / Red Bank Catholic
Infield
Laido was a four-year varsity player at Red Bank Catholic High School and competed against some of the top programs in New Jersey. During his senior season, he tallied 17 hits, four doubles, and 11 RBI. In addition to his high school success, Laido played for Tri-State Arsenal Marucci and earned multiple Perfect Game showcase selections.
Vito Mannino | Freshman
Bellmore, NY / Bellmore JFK / IMG Academy
Infield
Mannino posted a standout 2025 season, hitting .498 with a 1.502 OPS while recording seven home runs and 36 RBI. He also set school records for doubles and extra-base hits while earning First Team All-County honors. Mannino was ranked as the No. 4 third baseman in New York for the Class of 2025 and was named a 2025 PG Preseason All-American and All-Region selection.
Brady Pollard | Freshman
Durham, NC / Durham Academy
Infield
Pollard earned All-TISAC Conference Team honors in 2025 following a standout senior season at Durham Academy, where he posted a .365 batting average and .941 OPS while also contributing on the mound with a 3.32 ERA. A five-year varsity member and two-time team captain, Pollard was recognized with his program's Most Dedicated Award in 2024.
James Rice | Freshman
Bronx, NY / Fordham Prep / IMG Academy
Utility
Rice was ranked as the No. 2 first baseman in New York and No. 70 nationally, earning recognition as one of the top players in his class. Rice was named a 2025 PG All-American and All-Region selection while also receiving 2023–24 PG Preseason All-American honors.
Teak Toto | Freshman
Lawrenceville, NJ / Lawrence High School
Utility
Toto was a standout four-year contributor at Lawrence High School, finishing his career with a .353 batting average and .506 slugging percentage while recording 85 hits, 73 RBI, 66 runs scored, and 23 stolen bases. He earned Preseason All-American Northeast Region Honorable Mention honors in 2025 and was ranked as the No. 21 outfielder in New Jersey.
JD Westveld | Freshman
Richardson, TX / IMG Academy
Utility
Westveld was a four-year varsity starter at IMG Academy and an All-American Honorable Mention selection, holding the school record for hits in a season while maintaining a .400 career high school batting average. During the 2024 season, Westveld posted a .501 batting average and continued his offensive success with three home runs during the 2025 Dallas Patriots summer season.
CJ Proch | Freshman
Cranberry Township, PA / Pittsburgh Central Catholic
Outfield
Proch is a three-year varsity starter and WPIAL All-Section Team selection at Pittsburgh Central Catholic. In 2024, Proch posted a .451 batting average with three home runs, ranking among the top sophomores in Pennsylvania's 6A division in slugging percentage and home runs while finishing among the state leaders in RBI, batting average, and on-base percentage.
JJ Saez | Freshman
Penuelas, PR / Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Outfield
Saez was named to the 2026 PG Preseason All-Region First Team and represented Puerto Rico as a member of the U18 National Team. His selection to the Puerto Rico U18 National Team highlights his experience competing at a high level.
Dillon Walls | Freshman
Douglassville, PA | Episcopal Academy High School
Outfield
Walls is a four-year varsity starter and two-time First Team All-Division selection in 2023 and 2024. A Scholar Athlete and Top 500 national-ranked player, Walls posted a .332 batting average at Episcopal Academy in 2024 with 13 extra-base hits. He also showcased his speed at Berks Catholic in 2023, recording 16 stolen bases.
JR Struk | Sophomore
Charleston, SC / P27 Baseball Academy
Rollins College
RHP
Struk led Rollins College in appearances during the 2026 season, posting a 3-2 record with four saves over 34.2 innings pitched. He recorded a 3.63 ERA with 42 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .200 batting average, including a two-inning scoreless outing with four strikeouts against No. 11 West Florida. Struk was also named to the 2026 SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll and was a high school valedictorian.
Logan Struk | Sophomore
Charleston, SC / P27 Academy
Rollins College
Outfield
Struk appeared in 10 games at Rollins College in 2026, recording his first collegiate hit and run against Assumption on Feb. 15. He was recognized on the 2026 SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll and earned Dean's List honors in both semesters. Prior to Rollins, Struk was ranked as a Top 10 high school player in South Carolina and attended P27, where he posted a .315 batting average.
Jake Pollaro | Redshirt- Sophomore
Pittsburgh, PA / North Hills High School
University of Delaware
LHP
Pollaro returned in 2026 as a key bullpen contributor at the University of Delaware, making nine appearances and recording nine strikeouts over eight innings. In 2025, he appeared in 15 games with two starts, posting a 2-1 record with three saves and 30 strikeouts across 27.2 innings. Pollaro was also named to the 2025–26 Conference USA Academic Honor Roll for his success in the classroom.
Thomas Offill | Redshirt- Sophomore
Bourbonnais, IL / Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School
Kankakee Community College
Utility
Offill was a key contributor at Kankakee Community College in 2025, appearing in 52 games while posting a .395 batting average and .495 on-base percentage. He earned 2025 First Team Academic All-American honors and was a 2024 SWSC All-Conference selection, showcasing his consistency both on the field and in the classroom.
Luis McElearney | Junior
New Bern, NC / Epiphany School of Global Studies
RHP
McElearney posted a strong 2025 season with the GWU Developmental Team, finishing with a 4-0 record and a 1.67 ERA while recording 34 strikeouts over 27 innings pitched through March. He was a 2023 team captain for his high school team, Honorable Mention All-Conference selection, and earned 2023 WWBA Coastal Summer Invitational All-Tournament Team honors for both pitching and batting.
Matthew VanOstenbridge | Junior
Sinking Spring, PA / Wilson High School
Penn State University
LHP
Matthew VanOstenbridge earned 2026 Academic All-Big Ten honors after appearing in 13 games for Penn State during his sophomore season. He struck out 14 batters in 10 innings while holding opponents to a .250 batting average. As a freshman in 2025, VanOstenbridge made 23 appearances, posting a 2-0 record, one save, a 3.70 ERA in Big Ten play, and 38 strikeouts over 41.2 innings. Through two seasons, he totaled 36 appearances, 52 strikeouts, and three combined wins and saves for the Nittany Lions.
Gavin Braland | Junior
Hampton, GA / Georgia Premier Academy
University of South Carolina
Catcher
Braland appeared in seven games for the University of South Carolina in 2026, recording a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage behind the plate. In 2025, he saw action in 36 games with 28 starts, contributing offensively while posting a .986 fielding percentage as a catcher. A former All-Conference catcher for the National Academy Association, Braland has earned multiple Perfect Game Preseason All-Southeast Region honors, including Second Team recognition in 2024 and Underclass First Team honors in 2023.
Anthony Belisario | Junior
Staten Island, NY / TNXL Academy
University of Connecticut
Outfield
Belisario earned 2026 Second Team All-BIG EAST honors after a breakout sophomore season at the University of Connecticut. He appeared in 43 games with 26 starts, batting .283 with four doubles, one home run, 10 RBI, and 18 walks. Belisario highlighted the season with a 5-for-6 performance and three RBI against St. John's while also recording three-hit games against Georgetown and Seton Hall. As a freshman in 2025, he appeared in 31 games as a utility player, making starts in the outfield, second base, and third base. He hit his first collegiate home run in his first career at-bat and added his first career stolen base during the season.
Payton Bookwalter | Junior
Edwardsburg, MI / Edwardsburg High School
Kellog Community College
Outfield
Bookwalter posted a standout 2026 season at Kellogg Community College, hitting .366 with a .485 on-base percentage and .696 slugging percentage while recording 28 doubles, 11 home runs, and 61 RBI. He was named the 2025 MCCAA Western Conference Freshman of the Year and earned First Team Western Conference honors, while also being recognized as a two-time NJCAA All-Region and two-time All-MCCAA selection.
Willy Mendez | Junior
Santo Domingo, DR / Miami Christian School
Miami-Dade College
Outfield
Mendez earned 2026 All-Citrus Conference First Team honors following a standout season at Miami-Dade College. In 2026, Mendez appeared in 58 games while providing consistent offensive production, posting a .354 batting average with nine home runs and 60 RBI. He also contributed defensively, recording a .982 fielding percentage in the outfield.
Evan Alwine | Redshirt- Junior
Altoona, PA / Altoona High School
Pasco-Hernando Community College
RHP
Alwine continued his collegiate career at Pasco-Hernando Community College in 2026, appearing in 21 games and recording 28⅔ innings pitched with 21 strikeouts. Previously ranked No. 60 overall and No. 22 RHP in Pennsylvania for the Class of 2023, Alwine was a three-sport athlete in baseball, football, and basketball during his high school career.
Sean Bartlett | Redshirt- Junior
Howell, MI / Howell High School
Lansing Community College
RHP
Bartlett continued his pitching career at Lansing Community College in 2025, making eight appearances with six starts while posting a 5-1 record and a 3.99 ERA over 29⅓ innings. He recorded 48 strikeouts on the season, including a standout performance on March 11, 2025, when he struck out 14 batters over five innings to earn the victory. Bartlett was previously named to the 2021 Eastern Michigan Preseason All-State Team.
Denixon Suarez | Redshirt- Junior
Puerto La Cruz, VE / Miami Christian School
Miami-Dade College
Catcher
Suarez appeared in 42 games for Miami-Dade College in 2026, posting a .289 batting average, .444 on-base percentage, and a .986 fielding percentage behind the plate. In 2025, he recorded a .370 batting average with a .463 on-base percentage while adding three home runs, six doubles, and 21 RBI. Suarez was previously recognized as a 2023 Preseason All-American Florida Honorable Mention selection and ranked as the No. 40 catcher in Florida.
Alex Brazer | Senior
Ruskin, FL / Lennard High School
Northern Kentucky University
Infield
Brazer started 50 games as Northern Kentucky's primary shortstop in 2026, earning Horizon League Batter of the Week honors on March 2. He posted a .251 batting average with nine home runs and 50 RBI while contributing defensively with a .951 fielding percentage and helping turn 24 double plays. Prior to Northern Kentucky, Brazer played at Eckerd College in 2024, where he was named Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year.
Brandon Sanchez | Senior
Broomsfield, CO / Legacy High School
University of Northern Colorado
Infield
Sanchez earned 2026 Second Team All-Summit League honors following a strong junior season at the University of Northern Colorado. Sanchez hit .295 with seven home runs, 38 RBI, and a .402 on-base percentage. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Sanchez was recognized with CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-America honors.
Nico Rijo-Berger | Senior
Knoxville, TN / Sandra Day O'Conner High School
Nicholls State University
Utility
Rijo-Berger was the 2026 Southland Conference batting champion and earned All-Southland Second Team honors as a designated hitter after a standout season at Nicholls State University. He appeared in 44 games with 42 starts, posting a .349 batting average while recording 58 hits, nine doubles, three home runs, and 27 RBI. His performance also earned him Southland Conference Player of the Month honors in March 2026.
Matt Molina | Redshirt- Senior
Alice, TX / Alice High School
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi
RHP
Molina continued his collegiate career at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2026, serving as a reliable bullpen arm while making 14 appearances with two starts and recording 24 strikeouts over 21 innings pitched. In 2025, Molina contributed in a relief role, finishing the season with four saves. He previously earned All-District Honorable Mention honors in 2021.
