Alumni Roundup: Opening Weekend

February 20, 2024


Division I opening weekend has come and gone, and we kept our eyes glued to the action happening across the country. Top Tier alumni saw collegiate debuts, Friday night starts, some bad weather and a few “last go rounds” (as seniors might put it).

We’ll highlight some of the top performances from the weekend, seeing as there was plenty to rave about. But first, we’ll announce our Top Tier alum of the Week.

ALUM OF THE WEEK

Jackson Kent opened the season on the hill for the University of Arizona. The Wildcats hosted No. 23 Northeastern in a three-game set which the Wildcats eventually went on to win, two games to one. 

Kent, the left-handed pitcher out of Lake Park HS and Top Tier North, got the call and delivered. He tossed a career-high six frames and struck out eight. He allowed one run on four hits. Kent picked up his first career win in a Wildcats uniform. With this performance he was named the Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week in a conference release on Monday, Feb. 19.


NOTABLE PERFORMANCES


Brendan Summerhill also played a big role in Arizona’s series win over Northeastern. Summerhill went 5-for-13 on the weekend with three doubles and knocked in six. Saturday alone, the sophomore out of Whitney Young, tallied three hits and drove in three, adding a stolen base to his statline.


Colin Summerhill had a standout weekend, himself. In a four-game set against Abilene Christian, the Huskies dropped three of four, but Colin hit .313 on the weekend with five hits in 16 opportunities. He belted two home runs on the weekend, with the second coming in a series finale win on Sunday.

Blake Wright had a great opening weekend as he begins what promises to be a great senior season. Wright and the Tigers swept Xavier, outscoring the Musketeers 33-13 over three contests. Wright hit .429 over the weekend with six hits across 14 at-bats. He homered in the Tigers’ Saturday victory. The Tigers have now opened the past five seasons with a series sweep. 


Noah Edders got the nod on opening night for Bradley. He led the Braves to a win over Western Kentucky with a one-run, six-hit performance. He threw seven innings in the outing.

Zach Kwasny impressed, earning his first career win in relief for Ball State vs.Merrimack. The freshman tossed four innings and struck out eight in a Saturday victory.

Shane Curtin (Creighton) and Hank Liss (Belmont) both earned their first career saves over the weekend.


Daniel Pacella continues to mash for Illinois State. He tallied a hit in each game the Redbirds played this weekend. He drove in eight on the weekend and homered in back-to-back games against St. Thomas.


Vytas Valincius (Illinois), Nick Monile (Niagara), Nick Giamarusti (Ohio State), Mack Whitcomb (Tennessee Tech) all homered in their first appearances with their club.

Tony Livermore (Northwestern) flashed some leather and added a hit and two RBI this weekend against Tulane.


NOTABLE STATLINES

Sam Antonacci began his Coastal Carolina career this weekend going 4-for-12 with a double and 3 RBI.

Lucas Spence went 5-for-17 on the weekend for SIUE

Graham Mastros (Saint Louis) hit .455 over the weekend. He homered against St. Thomas on Saturday.

Despite pitching well, Hunter Mink (South Florida) took the loss against UCONN. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on three hits. He K’d seven in the outing.

<< Back to news list

 

Expect Greatness. A Tradition of Baseball Excellence Since 2004