Campus News
April 15th, 2025
Lakers continue rampage through the region
GC runs win streak to 7; hosts Thursday showdown with 'Jacks
Garrett College continued its rampage through Region 20 on Sunday and Monday, sweeping doubleheaders from the College of Southern Maryland and Montgomery College, respectively.
After gutting out an 8-6 and 6-4 sweep over a stubborn CSM squad, the Lakers run-ruled Montgomery College, 10-0 and 16-5, in a pair of five-inning contests. GC has won seven straight and 13 of its last 15 contests.
"We've got talent, but we've also got really good people," said Garrett head coach Eric Hallenbeck of this season's winning ingredients. "The buttons I'm pushing – they're working because of the players."
GC's hot streak has set up an interesting showdown as the West Division-leading Lakers (29-8 overall, 21-3 division) are set to host East Division-leading Chesapeake College (24-12, 17-5) Thursday in a noon doubleheader that could be a preview of the NJCAA Division II Region 20 finals.
The doubleheader will match a Garrett team sporting a region-leading .361 batting average against a Chesapeake squad with a region-low 4.33 earned-run average (ERA). Skipjacks Colby Heiser (6-0, 3.15 ERA), Ethan Lodish (4-0, 1.25), Daniel Kissel (4-1, 1.53), and Aaron Snyder (4-3, 3.27) have combined for an 18-4 record so far this season.
Thursday's showdown will also match two of the region's most senior mentors, with Hallenbeck in his 21st season leading the Lakers and Chesapeake head coach Frank Szymanski in his 26th season at the helm of the Skipjacks.
"They're playing well and Frank does a great job," said Hallenbeck. "He's probably got a couple of great pitchers ready to go."
The Lakers did their part to set up the showdown by overwhelming Montgomery College on Monday.
Brandyn Gonzalez and Parker Ferraro each hit two-run homers as part of a five-run first inning as the Lakers took command of the opener. Gonzalez tied the school record with his 14th homer of the season – with a quarter of the season yet to be played.
JJ Charlton (single) and Angel Oquendo (double) each drove in two runs as part of a five-run fifth that broke the game open. Oquendo finished Monday's Game 1 with two doubles as part of a 3-for-4 effort.
Winning pitcher Ethan Sebold threw a one-hitter with one strikeout, one walk, and one hit batsman while improving to 5-0.
"He just throws strikes," Hallenbeck said of the secret to Sebold's success. "He has command of his pitches – the sinker and the slider – and he loves to compete."
Left fielder Gonzalez had a diving catch, shortstop Noah Broadwater saved a hit with a great play off a ball up the middle, and center fielder Easton Rhoten had two magnificent catches to back Sebold's effort.
"Rhoten might be the best defensive center fielder in the country," said Hallenbeck.
GC scored 12 runs in the first two innings to take control of Monday's nightcap. Jacob Salebe had a two-run double to highlight a five-run first, and Ty Giblin launched a three-run homer as part of a seven-run second.
Ferraro hammered a three-run homer in the third as he notched home runs in both ends of the doubleheader. Hunter Dakan earned the win by throwing three scoreless innings with six strikeouts while allowing just two hits.
Broadwater helped the Lakers survive Sunday's Game 1 against CSM with a three-run double as GC erased a 6-5 deficit with a three-run sixth. Reliever Gregory Eddy retired all five batters he faced while improving to 2-0.
GC prevailed in the nightcap as Najib Duversaint delivered a pinch-hit, two-run single to help the Lakers end their CSM curse.
"Southern Maryland is always a scrappy bunch," noted Hallenbeck. "They had beaten us five of the last six games we played."
Conner Blake improved to 4-0 with the Game 2 win, yielding two runs on six hits in six innings with a walk and a strikeout.
