The Gulf South Conference announced its third baseball weekly award winners of the 2025 season for performances between Feb. 10-16. Delta State duo Brett Burrell (player), Drake Fontenot (pitcher), while Alabama Huntsville’s Sean Lapinskes (freshman) was also recognized.
Player of the Week:
Brett Burrell, OF, Sr., Delta State
Burrell had a tremendous start to the conference season, helping Delta State sweep three-game series against Lee. The senior outfielder finished the weekend slugging 1.300, posted a .636 on-base percentage while notching a .600 batting average (6-for-1). He also had six RBI, five runs, and three extra base hits – a double and two home runs. Burrell had a hit in all three games, extending his hit streak to eight games to start the season. The weekend outing was highlighted by a 3-for-4 performance in the series finale, which also included three RBI and two home runs.
Other nominees: Brock Butler, UAH; Bryce LaRocca, Mississippi College; Evan Radford, Montevallo; Cole McCallum, Trevecca; Colby Davis, Union; Pedro Moreno, Valdosta State; Blake Vineyard, West Alabama; Brantley Willis, West Florida
Pitcher of the Week:
Drake Fontenot, RHP, Sr., Delta State
Fontenot improved to 2-0 on the year after being credited with a series opening 6-0 win over Lee on Friday. The right-hander worked seven-scoreless innings, notched 11 strikeouts, and surrendered eight hits and zero walks in the outing. Fontenot began the game by retiring nine of the first 10 batters he faced, highlighted by six strikeouts, before ringing up back-to-back strikeouts to help get the Statesmen out of a bases loaded jam. The performance lowered his season ERA to 1.45, while pushing strikeout total to 24 in 18.2 innings.
Other nominees: Caleb Peterson, Mississippi College; Gino Cozzi, Montevallo; Jonah Smithson, Trevecca; Elijah Ramsey, Union; Zac Dodson, Valdosta State; Bryant Quimby, West Alabama; Colton Dorsey, West Florida.
Freshman of the Week:
Sean Lapinskes, INF, Fr., Alabama Huntsville
Lapinskses went four-for-11 (.364) from the plate with two RBI and scored five runs over the weekend as the Chargers took two of three from Christian Brothers in GSC-action. The rookie infielder’s series ledger also included a triple, two walks, a hit by pitch, a stolen base, while defensively he accounted for five putouts and six assists. His standout outing of the weekend was a 3-for-4 day with four runs scored, one RBI and a triple.
Other nominees: none
2025 GSC Baseball Players of the Week
Player of the Week
Feb 4: Jalen Smith, Christian Brothers
Feb 11: Presley Walker, UAH
Feb 18: Brett Burrell, Delta State
Pitcher of the Week
Feb 4: Drake LaRoche, Valdosta State
Feb 11: Adiel Melendez, Montevallo
Feb 18: Drake Fontenot, Delta State
Freshman of the Week
Feb 4: Hudson Cepparulo, Union
Feb 11: Nolan Phillips, West Alabama
Feb 18: Sean Lapinskes, UAH