Gaston College baseball optimistic as 2026 season gets underway this weekend
Gaston College's baseball program has been nationally-ranked in each of its first four seasons since the program restarted in 2021.
They'll be looking to make it five-for-five this spring when the season starts with a three-game series against perennial power Patrick & Henry Community College in a Jan. 23 single game and Jan. 24 doubleheader.
"It's crazy to think we're playing so soon," said Rhinos head coach Shohn Doty, who has guided the program to a 183-45-1 record in its first four seasons. "It's been impressive what we've done since we started practicing on January 9th.
"The weather has obviously helped a lot as we've had a chance for some intrasquad practices.
"I like where we are. I really do."
Doty returns 20 players from last season's 41-15-1 team that finished as National Junior College Athletic Association Region 10 runner-up, including four All-Region 10 players.
"We have an opportunity to get back to where we want to be," Doty said of the returnees highlighted by all-region infielder David Nicks and all-region outfielders Chris Hendrickson, Joey Nicholson and Koy Swanson. "We understand we fell a little below the standard that we have last year. Even though we had a good season, it's about being back to where we feel we should be. Not just being in the Region 10 championship game, but winning it."
A strong pitching staff that already has six NCAA Division I signees and is expected to have more is a big reason for the optimism.
Sophomore Ryan Brinkley was one of many pitchers who suffered injuries last season but is back and hopeful of a big return.
"I'm definitely trying to get back to last year when I was in a closer role," said Brinkley, who pitched in six games before suffering his injury last season. "I love being a back end guy who comes in to shut it down. I hope to get back to that."
Brinkley returned to the mound for the first time on Jan. 11 pitching in an intrasquad game; He had labrum and bicep surgery on May 7.
"It was a rough process," Brinkley said. "But I think it sparked a flame this year to get back on the field."
Cross Clayton (North Carolina A&T), Dalton Hazlett (Longwood), Brayden Hill (Charlotte), Talan McConnell (Virginia Tech), Drake Purvis (Virginia Tech) and Travis Smith (Towson) are the pitchers who have signed with NCAA Division I schools.
Purvis is the top returning starter after going 7-0 with a 3.33 ERA in 13 appearances (11 starts).
"Pitching depth is significantly better than a year ago - and I'm really happy about that," Doty said.
Offensively, all-region infielder David Nicks (.326 average, nine home runs, 58 RBIs) and outfielders Chris Hendrickson (.349 average, six home runs, 43 RBIs), Joey Nicholson (.385 average, 15 home runs, 62 RBIs) and Koy Swanson (.357 average, 11 home runs, 55 RBIs) are the top returnees and Nicks (College of Charleston) and Swanson (Western Kentucky) have already signed - and other signees are expected.
Another returnee, Gabe Simmons, is back after suffering an elbow injury in preseason drills a year ago.
Additionally, Charlotte transfer Logan Ponnett, Caldwell Tech transfer (and former North Gaston and Kings Mountain standout) Kandan Zollo and freshmen Macon Leppert and Caden Davidson have stood out in preseason workouts.
"Gaston has a good reputation of moving guys back to the Division I level so it was a pretty easy decision," said Ponnett, a former Wilmington Hoggard High and Wilmington American Legion Post 10 standout. "I'm happy to be here."
Last season, Zollo hit .397 with four home runs and 33 RBIs for Caldwell Tech, Davidson helped Skyland Roberson High and Asheville American Legion Post 70 to state titles and Leppert hit .407 for Blythewood, S.C., High School.
Gaston College opens its 2026 season with 18 straight home games, capped by the Region 10 series opener against defending champion Florence Darlington Tech Feb. 21 and Feb. 22.
"If we can continue to go about our business the way we have, we've got a chance to be really good," Doty said.