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Wade Kelly during Gaston College's 2023 NJCAA World Series appearance in Grand Junction, Col.
Wade Kelly during Gaston College's 2023 NJCAA World Series appearance in Grand Junction, Col.
Posted: Jun 08, 2026

Gaston College adds sixth pro baseball player, other alumni baseball notes

Gaston College's baseball program added another professional baseball signee earlier this month when the Gastonia Ghost Peppers signed former Rhinos outfielder Wade Kelly to a contract.

Kelly, who played on Gaston College's 2022 and 2023 teams, becomes the sixth alumnus to sign a professional baseball contract in school history - and fifth since the program restarted in the fall of 2021.

Kelly was a two-time All-Region 10 outfielder for the Rhinos and held the school's career record for hits (125) until this spring when Joey Nicholson surpassed him. Kelly remains the school's career stolen base leader with 76.

After helping Gaston College advance to the 2023 National Junior College Athletic Association World Series, Kelly played for Gardner-Webb in 2024 and for Mount Olive in 2025.

Other Gaston College pro baseball signees are Alan Lindsay (1970-71 at Gaston College, 1972 Houston Astros free agent), Gus Hughes (2022, 2024 New York Yankees 18th round draft pick, 2026 Washington National free agent signee), Derek Vartanian (2023, 2024 Atlanta Braves free agent signee) and Konni Durschlag (2022-23, 2025 Seattle Mariners free agent signee).

Hughes is currently 0-0 with a 7.36 ERA in eight appearances for the Class A Fredericksburg, Va., Nationals.

Vartanian is 1-3 with a 3.94 ERA in nine starts for the Class A Augusta, Ga., GreenJackets.

And Durschlag is waiting assignment from the Mariners.

Two other alumni just completed impressive collegiate seasons.

Brandon Crabtree (2024-25 at Gaston College) was just named American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division II All-American after helping Catawba tie for third place in the NCAA Division II World Series in Cary. Crabtree, who also was named South Atlantic Conference player of the year, hit .413 with 18 home runs and 73 RBIs for the Indians (49-14).

And Sam Dansky (2025) started for the The Citadel in its Southern Conference title run and in its NCAA regional appearance at Georgia Tech. Dansky hit .287 with four home runs and 22 RBIs in 45 games for the Bulldogs (36-26).