Unbeaten Gaston College preps for another home baseball game

Head coach Shohn Doty knew his startup Gaston College baseball team gained some respect and attention during a strong fall 2021 exhibition schedule.

The Rhinos have continued to validate those ideas with a 4-0 start to the 2022 regular season that on Sunday included a dramatic 8-7 win at longtime National Junior College Athletic Association power Spartanburg Methodist.

That victory combined with an 8-3 win at No. 9-ranked NJCAA Division III team Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute in Gaston College's season opener on Feb. 1 should make Gaston College an unknown commodity no more.

That will surely be the case on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in Gaston College's next game at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park against a Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute team eager to avenge its season-opening loss; The Cobras (1-2) split a weekend doubleheader at Wake Tech on Sunday.

"I told the team, 'I'd rather be the hunted than the hunter,'" Doty said. "Because if people are hunting you, you're where you need to be. I think our guys embrace that challenge."

Through four games, the Rhinos have used speed and power to fuel their offense and power pitching to shut down their opponents; Gaston College is averaging 8.5 runs per game with 12 extra base hits and 19 stolen bases while limiting opponents to 2.5 runs per game with 46 strikeouts in 30 innings.

Offensive leaders have been Pierson Gunnell (.500 average, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 7 RBIs), Ahmir Cournier (.455, 1 double, 1 home run, 6 RBIs), J.D. Yakubinis (.385, 6 RBIs), Konni Durschlag (.357, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 6 RBIs), Chandler Riley (.308, 2 doubles, 6 RBIs, 3 stolen bases) and Will Kelly (5 stolen bases).

On the mound, Zach Zedalis had 14 strikeouts in 6 innings and Tyler Parks 11 in 6 innings.

"We've still got things we need to work on and clean up," Doty said. "But we're playing hard and playing with confidence."