'Sox Across the Nation: Week Fourteen
By: Luke Stefanisko & Ben Rekosh
The regular season has wrapped up, and postseason play is underway for college baseball programs around the country.
Charlottesville was well represented in Division I end-of-season awards this year, with seven student-athletes who made their way through a Tom Sox uniform appearing on conference ballots.
From low-majors, to mid-majors, to power conferences, here is the list of postseason honorees for the 2026 baseball season.
Sammy Mummau, INF, Jacksonville, ‘Sox class of 2024
A member of the 2024 VBL championship winning team, Mummau was named the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year following his redshirt-sophomore season with the Dolphins.
Mummau was a part of 17 double plays turned by Jacksonville this season. He notched 130 assists, which ranked him fourth in the conference. His defensive improvement was noticeable, boosting his fielding percentage to .961 from .937 last year.
His development was not only limited to his glove however, he batted .285 with 51 hits across the regular season. Improving his average by over 100 points. Mummau continues to develop into one of the best shortstops in college baseball.
Dawson Newman, LHP, VCU, ‘Sox class of 2025
Newman was a key part of the Tom Sox postseason run in the summer of ‘25 and has continued that success collegiately. In his first season with the Rams, the lefty earned Atlantic 10 Honors, being named to the All-Rookie team.
He made 19 appearances on the year, four of which were starts. He didn’t allow an earned run in 13 of his 19 appearances, and led all VCU underclassmen with 39 strikeouts. He was part of a Rams staff that boasted a conference-best 4.39 ERA.
After a successful year one, Newman will hope to keep that momentum going in Richmond next season with VCU in 2027.
Daniel Powell, RHP, Kennesaw State, ‘Sox class of 2024
Powell showed off his continuous improvement on the mound, earning himself a spot as a first team reliever on the All-CUSA team after his third season with the Owls.
The righty appeared in 25 games for Kennesaw State, which was the most out of any arm from the team. He struck out 62 batters across his 53 total innings of work. Powell also closed out seven games while earning saves in those contests.
He’ll look to add onto the multiple watchlists and accomplishments he has already garnered in his final season with the Owls in 2026.
Jake Bennett, OF, Dallas Baptist, ‘Sox class of 2023
On the roster for two Valley League teams in 2023, Charlottesville and Winchester, it is hard to find an outfielder that has had a more productive spring season than Jake Bennett. He was named to the All-CUSA first team to cap off his senior year with the Patriots.
Bennett launched 18 home runs and totaled 51 RBIs this season, and he finished with an impressive 1.245 slugging. Balancing his power, he also claims an impressive .468 on-base percentage, drawing 27 walks opposite only 35 strikeouts.
It will be a treat for the Central Virginia community to watch Jake Bennett thrive in the postseason and beyond.
Robbie Lavey, C, George Washington, ‘Sox class of 2024
A multi-talented player, Lavey earned the second All A-10 honor of his career, being named as the second-team DH for the conference.
Appearing as catcher, first baseman and designated hitter this season Lavey totaled 65 hits and drove in 36 runs to lead the team. His .462 on-base percentage was good enough for third in the conference, to go along with eight home runs on the year.
Lavey has compiled three impressive seasons in a Revolutionary uniform, with more to come in his college career.
Derek Williams, OF, Miami, ‘Sox class of 2023
The 2023 VBL Home Run Derby Champ has had a stellar season in Coral Cables. In his final year of eligibility, Williams earned a nod on the All-ACC second team for his incredible 2026.
Over his 53 starts for the Hurricanes, Williams batted .389 with an OPS of 1.180. He collected 74 hits, 15 of which left the yard and drove in 66 runs. Williams led Miami in nearly every statistical offensive category.
There’s very little else Williams could have done to put a bow on his college career. This season may go down as the perfect ending.
Hunter Sute, C, Manhattan, ‘Sox class of 2022
A member of the 2022 Charlottesville squad – and two other Valley League teams following that – Sute has had a career year in 2026. He rounds out our list because he earned himself All-MAAC second team honors in his final year with the Jaspers.
Splitting time between the catcher and designated hitter spot, Sute batted .331 across his 42 appearances for Manhattan. He slugged .527 with 31 runs driven in with four round trippers across the season.
Sute ends his college career in the right way with a great year for Manhattan.
Be sure to follow the Tom Sox on social media and visit tomsox.org for the latest; ‘Sox Around the Nation will publish every Wednesday.
