'Sox Across the Nation: Week Twelve
By: Luke Stefanisko & Ben Rekosh
As we shift from the month of April to the month of May, the college regular season is wrapping up while the professional season is starting to take shape.
This means that end-of-month and end-of-season awards are being announced.
The Tom Sox are well represented at all levels of baseball, as always, with a number of players bringing home hardware. We shall start in the Minor League Baseball ranks with a player from 2022 & 2023 respectively.
Carter Cunningham, OF, Vancouver Canadians, ‘Sox Class of 2022
One of the best hitters in Tom Sox history was named Northwest League Player of the Month on Tuesday. After a slow start to the season, he had a breakout game on April 9th and then didn’t look back.
Cunningham led the league with a 1.040 OPS, 6 homers and 23 RBIs for Vancouver in April. His 20 runs scored, 26 hits and 2 triples all ranked top-five.
The Virginia native seeks to continue his output with the team beginning a five-game road trip in Eugene and climbing in the league standings.
Darien Smith, RHP, Richmond Flying Squirrels, ‘Sox Class of 2023
Smith capped off his hot start to the Spring with the honor of being named Eastern League Pitcher of the Month earlier this week. The Flying Squirrels lead the division, and Smith’s performance on the mound has been a major part in the team’s success.
In the month of April the righty posted a 1.35 over 20 innings pitched, with 19 strikeouts. Batters hold an impressive .145 average against him, too. His most recent appearance came on May 1st, when he pitched five scoreless innings.
The Funnville Nine, official podcast of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, had Smith as a guest on the latest episode to celebrate his accomplishment. Check it out at this link!
Will Jennewein, OF, Sewanee, ‘Sox Class of 2025
One of the integral figures to Charlottesville’s late-season surge last summer, Jennewein continued that momentum to have a great year with the Tigers for his sophomore campaign.
Jennewein earned All-Southern Athletic Association recognition with the team finishing 21-17-1 in the Division-III ranks. The Honorable Mention nod found a great deal of consistency towards the end of the year, reaching base in 17 of the 18 final games and notching a hit in 12 of them.
The University of The South begins its postseason play on Thursday in round one of the SAA tournament against Berry College.
Brock Clayton, C, Northwest Florida, ‘Sox Class of 2025
One of the best power hitters that CHO Airport Field has seen earned All-Conference First-Team honors for the third-place Raiders in the Panhandle Conference this season.
Primarily playing outfield this year for NWF, Clayton’s production was present all year for the black & red. His final regular season stats were highlighted by 45 hits, 10 doubles, nine home runs, and 41 RBIs.
Northwest Florida took home the hardware in the Ocala Region of the FCSAA DI Baseball Championship, and they will begin play in the championship round in Tampa on May 8th.
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, Kansas City Royals, ‘Sox Class of 2017
Just like the average temperature in the month of May, Vinnie Pasquantino is beginning to heat up. After a slower start to begin the 2026 campaign, Pasquantino has looked much improved.
Over his last seven games the Pasquatch has collected eight hits, with three two hit games over the last week. His best came in game one in the Royals series with the Mariners, in which he slugged a homer and roped a single to pair along with two RBI.
As he typically does around this time of the season, Pasquantino is beginning to get back to the play we are accustomed to seeing from him.
Elijah Nuñez, OF, Harrisburg Senators, ‘Sox Class of 2021
The former Horned Frog and ‘Sox standout had a solid week, which earned him a promotion to the Nationals Double-A affiliate in Harrisburg.
His last weekend in high-a was a productive one. Playing for the Wilmington Blue rocks, he collected one hit on Friday before the rubber match on Saturday. He delivered, knocking in three runs with two hits and a walk. That performance brought his average on the season up to .271, which was enough for the Washington organization to move him up to the next level.
This is his first time reaching the Double-A level, but it won’t hold him for long if he continues to find success at the plate.
Dean Mihos, OF, Coastal Carolina, ‘Sox Class of 2024
A decorated member of the 2024 Champion Tom Sox team, Mihos has continued his rise through the college baseball ranks with an impressive season thus far.
He was excellent in the Chanticleers three-game set with Georgia Southern. In game two of the series (and game one of Sunday’s doubleheader), he notched three hits, including a pair of doubles where he brought home three of his teammates. He added another hit in game three, and one in a midweek game against Clemson.
As Coastal Carolina looks to once again reach the big stage in Omaha, they’ll lean on Mihos’ steady play to get them back to the promised land.
Ethan Gibson, INF, Virginia Tech, ‘Sox Class of 2024
Much like fellow teammate and Tom Sox player Hudson Lutterman, Gibson has been excellent for the Hokies this season.
Tied for the team lead in average, Gibson made an impact for Tech in both of their outings last week. Against James Madison in a midweek game he collected two hits and a double. In the weekend set against Cal, Gibson had a hit in game two along with a stolen base to help the Hokies win the series.
A do-it-all player for his squad, his improved hitting this season has been great for Virginia Tech as they prepare for the upcoming ACC tournament.
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.
