Gaston College impressive in 2024 baseball debut

With a preseason national ranking for the first time, seven NCAA Division I signees already on the roster with many others expected in the future, it would be safe to say there was a lot of anticipation for the start of Gaston College's third baseball season.

And on a cloudy, misty Saturday afternoon at Gastonia's Sims Legion Park, the Rhinos emphatically fulfilled the preseason hype with a 13-1 victory over Guilford Tech in a game shortened to 4 1/2 innings by the 10-run mercy rule.

"For a first game out, I couldn't be happier with our guys and it was a great way to get started," said Gaston College coach Shohn Doty, whose team is ranked No. 14 in the preseason National Junior College Athletic Association poll.

Starter and winner Mason Smith retired nine of the 12 batters he faced and relievers Wagner Morrissette and Shane Thorson followed with 1-2-3 innings of relief, the Rhinos played flawless on defense and the Gaston College offense had 10 hits and drew eight walks and two hit batters to cruise to the victory.

In a sign of recent successes, the Rhinos were quick to get on the scoreboard as for the 68th time in 114 games since the program restarted, Gaston College scored in the first inning.

And this first inning that produced eight runs tied for the fourth-best inning in history. Only a 11-run second inning in a 23-1 home win over USC Union on April 7, 2023, a 9-run first inning in a 10-0 win over Roane State on Jan. 29, 2023 and a 9-run second inning in a 13-3 win over Pro5 Academy on March 4, 2023 have been bigger outbursts in the previous two seasons.

Andrew Muraco (3 hits, home run, 3 RBIs), Seth Christmas (2-run double, walk), Sean Sullivan (1 hit, 2 walks, 1 hit batter), Trevor Lucas (2-run single, walk), Ben Karpowicz (RBI single, walk), Freddie Oliver (RBI single, 2 walks), Tyler Burke (RBI double) and Trent Murchison (1 hit, 1 hit batter) led a patient but aggressive offense.

"As far as a first game, we did a lot of things right," Doty said. "But like I told the guys after the game, everybody's going to talk about the 13 runs, but I was more happy that we played clean on a wet field. We looked really good defensively. (Shortstop) Caleb (Estes) played well and (first baseman) Freddie (Oliver) had some nice picks at first base."

Gaston College returns to action against Guilford Tech again for a Sunday doubleheader that starts at noon at Gastonia's Sims Legion Park.

"We have to come out tomorrow and take the same mental approach," Doty said.