The Gulf South Conference announced its eighth baseball weekly award winners of the 2025 season for performances between March 17-23. Mississippi College’s Bryce LaRocca (player), Delta State’s Drake Fontenot (pitcher), and Lee’s Ryan Valdes (freshman) were recognized.
Player of the Week:
Bryce LaRocca, OF, Sr., Mississippi College
LaRocca slugged 1.400 and drove in 11 runs to Mississippi College to an unblemished 4-0 week. The senior outfielder hit a collective .533 (8-for-15) with four home runs, a double, scored seven runs, and drew three walks while also posting a .611 on-base percentage. In a three-game series with Trevecca, he was a combined 7-for-11 (.636) at the plate, opening the series with a 3-for-4 performance that included seven-RBI and two homers. In the Saturday twin bill, he went 2-for-4 in game one scoring twice with one RBI, while going 2-for-3 in the finale with three-RBI and two more home runs.
Other nominees: Brock Butler, UAH; Riley Orr, AUM; Matthew Martinolich, Delta State; Ryan Valdes, Lee; Turner McGwire, Montevallo; Grant Ross, Union; Brantley Willis, West Florida
Pitcher of the Week:
Drake Fontenot, RHP, Sr., Delta State
Fontenot improved to 7-0 on the year after tossing a complete game four-hit shutout at West Alabama on Friday evening. In his longest outing of the year, the senior righty went the full nine innings, struck out five and surrendered four hits, with only two runners reaching second and none advancing past. Fontenot also logged a .129 opponent batting average while facing 32 batters. He lowered his season ERA to 0.64, which began the week as third-best among Division II leaders. This is Fontenot’s fourth GSC Pitcher of the Week award after previously being recognized on Feb. 11 and 18, and on March 11.
Other nominees: Colin Patterson, UAH; Brett Pitts, AUM; Colt McKibben, Lee; Holland Townes, Mississippi College; Adiel Melendez, Montevallo; Eli Snelson, Union; Jacob Heath, West Florida
Freshman of the Week:
Ryan Valdes, Lee
Valdes helped Lee to a three-game series sweep of Christian Brothers as he went 7-for-14 (.500) at the plate, slugged 1.071, scored seven runs and had six RBI. The rookie began the series going 4-for-5 with four runs scored and a solo home run. He followed up by driving in five runs on a 2-for-5 outing in game two, before closing the series with a 1-for-3 effort with a run scored and a stolen base.
Other nominees: Dominic Maldet, Montevallo; Hudson Cepparulo, Union
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
Feb 25: Connor Crowson, Montevallo
Mar 4: Riley Orr, AUM
Mar 11: Brock Butler, UAH
Mar 18: Joey Parliment, Trevecca Nazarene
Mar 25: Bryce LaRocca, Mississippi College
Pitcher of the Week
Feb 4: Drake LaRoche, Valdosta State
Feb 11: Adiel Melendez, Montevallo
Feb 18: Drake Fontenot, Delta State
Feb 25: Drake Fontenot, Delta State
Mar 4: Jacob Heath, West Florida
Mar 11: Drake Fontenot, Delta State
Mar 18: Holland Townes, Mississippi College
Mar 25: Drake Fontenot, Delta State
Freshman of the Week
Feb 4: Hudson Cepparulo, Union
Feb 11: Nolan Phillips, West Alabama
Feb 18: Sean Lapinskes, UAH
Feb 25: Sam Patrick, Montevallo
Mar 4: Nolan Phillips, West Alabama
Mar 11: Jacob Pearl, Montevallo
Mar 18: Wyatt Bowling, Trevecca Nazarene
Mar 25: Ryan Valdes, Lee