Gaston College baseball moves up in NJCAA national rankings

One week after joining the official National Junior College Athletic Association rankings for the first in school history in any sport, Gaston College moved up to No. 8 in the Division II poll that was announced on Monday.

The Rhinos went 3-1 last week to give them a 20-win season with a 21-1 overall record. Gaston College also holds a comfortable lead Region 10 West Division with a 14-1 region record; Two teams are tied for second with 7-4 region records.

Gaston College was ranked No. 10 last week when it received the first official NJCAA ranking in school history for any sport. The Rhinos last week also were ranked No. 4 in the www.thejbb.net poll and No. 7 in the PPR Juco report. Both of those rankings for this week will come out on Tuesday.

Three Rhinos lead Region 10 Division II in individual statistical categories after weekend play as J.D. Yakubinis is first in RBIs (35), Gus Hughes leads in ERA (1.23) and Konni Durschlag leads in saves (3).

Also, Gaston College leads Region 10 Division in runs (226), doubles (52), home runs (23) and stolen bases (100).

The Rhinos return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. at USC Lancaster before hosting USC Lancaster next Sunday at 2 p.m. in the first game this season at Gastonia's Sims Legin Park that will become the Rhinos' permanent home field.