Gaston College adds third NCAA Division I baseball commitment

Gaston College is adding another NCAA Division I baseball player after pitcher Christian Baker announced his commitment to High Point University on Thursday.

A 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-handed pitcher, Baker joins teammates Zach Zedalis (South Carolina) and Chandler Riley (Campbell) as future NCAA Division I players for the first-year National Junior College Athletic Association program.

"There's been some twists and turns but I believed in (Gaston College) coach (Shohn) Doty and he believed in me and now I've got this great opportunity ahead of me," Baker said.

In eight relief appearances so far this season for the nationally-ranked Rhinos (21-1), Baker has a 2-0 record and 0.00 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 15 2-3 innings.

"Christian is an outstanding pitcher and an outstanding leader for us," said Doty, whose team is ranked among the top eight of all three junior college polls entering this weekend's games against USC Lancaster. "He's kind of our anchor and his work ethic is off the chart. He came in during the fall and improved his game.
"Every kid that plays college baseball wants to play Division I and Christian's going to fulfill that dream."

Baker, who attended high school in Rolesville and Cary, said a recent visit to High Point sealed his decision and the Big South Conference school his choice over other NCAA Division I offers.

"After visiting, I knew it was the place for me to be," said Baker, who made 21 appearances in two seasons as a reliever at Charleston Southern before joining the first-year Gaston College program in the fall of 2021.

Baker has a tenative commitment to play for Pulaski, Va., of the Appalachian League for collegiate summer baseball.

"Right now, the goal is to stay on track that I've been on, help our team continue to be successful and finish out this season strong," Baker said.

Gaston College plays at USC Lancaster on Saturday at 1 p.m. before hosting USC Lancaster on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Gastonia's Sims Legion Park in the first game since major renovations to the Rhinos' permanent home.