Photo Courtesy of ETSU Athletics
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The SoCon Baseball Tournament started Wednesday, May 20th at Fluor Field in Greenville, SC. After being swept by Mercer last weekend, ETSU placed in a single elimination slot at 1:30pm against the UNCG Spartans. ETSU placed at #6, and UNCG was placed at #7 for the tournament. The Bucs this season went 30-23 overall, and 10-11 in SoCon play. Meanwhile UNCG went 23-31 overall, and 7-14 in SoCon play.
Strong Start for The Bucs
UNCG started out the game with a single run in the first, and 2 additional in the 2nd. However The Bucs responded immediately in the 2nd with 4 runs. Three back to back homers from ETSU. Starting with a homer by Mason Ault (4th of the season) to right center, bringing Luke Matlock home too. Another homer for The Bucs by way of Joey Little, sending a homer off to left field (4th of the season). One more homer in the books from Nate Conner, his 16th this season, out to right field. Ultimately putting ETSU in front of UNCG 4-3 to start the 3rd inning.
Both teams were unable to score, until UNCG broke the run drought in the top of the 5th, with 2 runs to take back the lead. Jake Palmer for The Bucs responded with a sacrifice fly ball to left, allowing Conner to score and tie it up 5-5. Another run drought, this continuing from the 5th to the top of the 8th. UNCG took back the lead with the final run of the game, with an unearned run from Luke Holland via a single from Jacob Budzik. Neither The Bucs or Spartans scored again, and UNCG won over The Bucs 6-5.
This closes out the season for ETSU, which is a stark difference from this time in 2025, where The Bucs were the SoCon Season Champions, and Tournament Champions.
SoCon Honors
ETSU has one First Team Honoree, Tristan Curless. Meanwhile Second Team honors have been awarded to Jamie Palmese, Henry Ferguson, Michael Harpster, Ian Guanzon, and Nate Conner. The Bucs also had 2 players recognized on the SoCon All Freshman Team, Cooper Jones and Mason Ault.
Tristan Curless had a record season this year, headed into the postseason with 3rd most hits in the SoCon (76), and with a .376 batting average (2nd in the SoCon). Curless has been awarded SoCon Player of the Week on 2 times this season.
Looking Ahead to 2027
The Bucs have a lot of young athletes in the program this season, and there’s no doubt that work will continue in the offseason. With the NCAA Baseball portal opening up this summer, Coach Joe Pennucci will surely watch for talent to add to the roster as seniors leave and continue their careers beyond the SoCon.
Congratulations to the ETSU Class of 2026, and Graduating ETSU Baseball Players. It has been a pleasure to cover this season with Greenville Sports Media, and see you next year!
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