Unbeaten Gaston College set to begin Region 10 play

After going 5-0 in its first five games of the season, Gaston College's startup baseball embarks on a new frontier this weekend as the Rhinos begin conference play.

Gaston College will compete in the Region 10 West Division of the National Junior College Athletic Asoociation's Division II.

The Rhinos begin their 36-game league slate on this weekend at Wake Tech; Gaston College plays a doubleheader at 1 p.m. (a 9-inning opener and 7-inning nigtcap) on Saturday at a 9-inning single game on Sunday at noon.

"We're looking forward to our conference-opening series at Wake Tech," Rhinos coach Shohn Doty said after Wednesday's 12-1 win over Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute.

Gaston College's unbeaten start has seen its offense hit a collective .306 with 18 extra base hits and 19 stolen bases and its pitching staff compile a 2.19 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 37 innings.

Offensive leaders have been Ahmir Cournier (.467 average, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 7 RBIs), Pierson Gunnell (.444 average, 2 doubles, 1 home run, 7 RBIs), Trenton Snyder (.429 average, 2 home runs, 3 stolen bases, 9 RBIs), J.D. Yakubinis (.412 average, 6 RBIs), Konni Durschlag (.375 average, 2 doubles, 6 RBIs), Chandler Riley (.375 average, 3 doubles, 1 home run, 3 stolen bases, 3 RBIs) and Wade Kelly (.227 average, 2 doubles, 5 stolen bases).

Top pitchers have been Zach Zedalis (2-0 record, 14 strikeuts in 6 innings), Tyler Parks (1-0 record with 11 strikeouts in 6 innings), Marlowe Iorio (1-0 record with 7 strikeouts in 7 innings) and J.D. Everett (6 strikeouts in 5 2-3 innings).

Zedalis and Everett are the probable starters in Saturday's doubleheader with Sunday's starter yet to be determined.

"To be a good team, you have to pitch well, hit well and play good defense," Doty said. "We've been doing that so far this season and need to continue doing that in our conference games."