‘Sox Across the Nation: Week Thirteen
By: Luke Stefanisko & Ben Rekosh
One of the joys of following former members of the Tom Sox is the variety of experiences and levels of baseball that one will encounter.
As we outlined in the first edition of this series, there are 50+ student-athletes competing at all stages of collegiate baseball in 2026 and nearly 40 players at different spots in their professional careers.
This week truly encapsulates that theme as we feature a variety of NJCAA, mid-major, Power Four, MLB, and independent league players.The Charlottesville experience has made such an impact on the baseball world, and Central Virginia has a lot to be proud of.
Lyndon Coleman & Evan Alwine, Head Coach & RHP, Pasco Hernando, ‘Sox Class of 2023 & 2025
A pair of decorated former Tom Sox team members, Coleman and Alwine celebrated another milestone as the Bobcats won the Gulf South District championship over the weekend.
After a second-straight FSCAA DII championship win, Pasco Hernando took on Lurleen B. Wallace community college in the district title game. A loss in game one, led to back-to-back wins in game two and three to continue on in the NJCAA Division II tournament.
Defending a national championship is no easy task, but the Bobcats aided by a pair of former Tom Sox have the talent to get the job done.
Dawson Newman, LHP, VCU, ‘Sox Class of 2025
The VCU Rams are having one of the best seasons in recent program history, headed by Newman and his contributions to the pitching staff.
A reliable arm, the Chesapeake native has functioned as both a late inning reliever and a spot starter for VCU across his 18 appearances this season. His latest outing came on Sunday in a game with A-10 tournament status on the line for his squad. He responded by tossing four innings of two-run ball, while striking out a new career-high eight batters. He picked up the win as the Rams cruised to a 19-5 run-rule win.
VCU currently sits at third in the conference, but they have locked up a spot in the postseason tournament. Newman will play a big part for a squad with regional aspirations.
Kyle Langley, OF, JMU, ‘Sox Class of 2025
Late in his junior season, Langley continued his stellar campaign with another solid series against a ranked opponent in Southern Miss.
Langley collected a hit in each of the three games last weekend. In both games one and two he recorded a lone hit, before belting a homer in game three alongside another base hit. His contributions helped JMU hang tough with one of the best mid-major squads in the nation.
In his third season in Harrisonburg, Langley has raised his average by over 90 points. He has become one of the Sun Belt’s best players over the course of the year.
Cale Stricklin, C, Charlotte, ‘Sox Class of 2024
After spending a few seasons with Auburn, Stricklin has made the most of his transfer to play with Charlotte in 2026.
Stricklin has hovered around the .300 mark all season long, he’s tallied 36 RBI including a nine-run performance against Wichita State in March. In the 49ers last series against UAB, Stricklin slugged his fourth homer of the year powering his squad to a series win over the Blazers.
His first season in a non-Auburn uniform has been a successful one; he will look to continue the success as tournament play nears.
Daniel Powell, RHP, Kennesaw State, ‘Sox Class of 2024
One of the best pitchers from Charlottesville’s ‘24 championship run is now not only one of the best pitchers on his team, but also one of the best in all of Conference USA. Powell holds a 2.84 ERA over 24 appearances this season, which is good for third-best in C-USA.
In a clash with the top team in the standings this weekend, Powell pitched four full innings, with the first of his two appearances earning himself and the team the win. In Friday’s 5-2 victory over Jacksonville State, he came into the game entering the eighth inning and only allowed one hit. Through two innings of shutout work, the righty struck out four Gamecocks to secure the win.
Friday was good for the sixth W of his junior year, leading his team and double the amount of the next-best guy.
Cade Belyeu, OF, Auburn, ‘Sox Class of 2024
Belyeu’s early-season stretch in 2024 was one of the best weeks that anyone has ever produced in a Tom Sox uniform, and his run with the Tigers has continued to show that power.
In a slow season for the junior, he was still able to make program history. In a remarkable stat posted by Auburn’s social media team, Belyeu now has 40 hit-by-pitches over 107 games played, including taking seven this season.
Auburn sits at fifth in the SEC standings, and Belyeu’s willingness to do what it takes to win has been a large part of that.
Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays, ‘Sox Class of 2022
Since returning from injury, Yesavage has been on a tear to open his 2026 season. Through three starts, the righty boasts an impressive 0.68 and has struck out 15 batters.
His most recent start came on Saturday the 9th, when he threw four full innings against the Angels. In a dominant 14-1 defeat of Los Angeles, he did not allow a run, and fanned six batters while only allowing two walks. “Yesavage’s famous splitter looked great, but it’s his slider that was most encouraging,” Blue Jays reporter Keegan Matheson said after that outing.
Toronto currently sits several games below .500, yet upon return to his healthy self, Yesavage will continue to prove to be an integral part of their rotation.
Victor Castillo, OF, Gateway Grizzlies, ‘Sox Class of 2021
A member of four different Valley League teams from 2021-23, Castillo only played six games for Charlottesville in the middle of the 2021 season, but he was still able to make his mark during his short stint in a Tom Sox uniform.
Now going into his third season with the Gateway Grizzlies of the independent Frontier League, Castillo is in position to be a leader in the outfield again. The social media team posted a fun video featuring the lefty hitter as they get ready for the season.
Victor is yet another example of a former Tom Sox member doing great things at all levels of baseball across the country!
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Ryan Wynn (Georgia) and the Georgia Bulldogs secured the SEC Regular Season Championship last weekend.
In C-USA play, Jake Bennett (Dallas Baptist) has continued to shine and launched his 17th home run of the season on Sunday.
Nathan Fink (Sam Houston) had three RBIs for the Bearkats in a 13-2 Friday win over Delaware.
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.
