It was a condensed Tuesday of Atlanta Braves minor league baseball, as only two affiliates were in action. Still, there was plenty of excitement to go around especially from the Rome offense who had a terrific day despite a low run output. Braves second round pick Alex Lodise hit a third inning home run, which opened the score but also marked his first foray into fence play in the professional ranks.
Ian Anderson, SP: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 BB, 1 K, 5.40 ERA
It was a tale of two teams on Tuesday evening, as one of the affiliates put out an exciting win while the other fell flat to say the least. Ian Anderson’s first start since June was as disastrous as the few before he hit the injured list as he walked five batters over 1 2/3 innings. While Anderson’s control has never been the strong suit of his game it has been truly abysmal this season as he now has 32 walks to 27 strikeouts in 32 2/3 innings. It’s been unplayable, but by some miracle he only allowed one run despite having more baserunners than recorded outs, and Columbus had at least a modicum of opportunity to take on an early lead.
After Anderson’s first inning run allowed the Clingstones were able to strike back with hits from Ethan Workinger and then Adam Zebrowski chasing around the former to tie the game. Anderson allowed an unearned run in the second inning, but Brian Moran stranded the bases loaded with a strikeout and then pitched two quick, scoreless innings. Unfortunately the Clingstones had no further luck early in the game. Then, everything fell apart for Moran. Before recording an out in the fifth inning he allowed five runs, and though he and Amos Willingham were able to strike out the final three batters the damage had been more than done.
This game, while unlikely to turn in Columbus’s favor, wasn’t quite yet over with the conclusion of the top half of the fifth inning. The Clingstones mounted themselves a quick rally in the next half inning, leading off with a ten pitch plate appearance from Cody Milligan to work a walk. Cal Conley followed up by lacing a double into the gap. and Columbus looked to be in business with two men on. David Fletcher’s single furthered the good feeling by bringing home yet another run, but in two pitches the rally fizzled out. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr topped a middle-middle fastball and rolled into a double play, which although it forced home a run it also left the bases empty. Patrick Clohisy hit the first pitch of the next at bat hard, but aimed it right at the left fielder who snagged it to close out the most promising inning for Columbus in the game. That would be the last time the Clingstones put together any sort of real threat as Montgomery saw their lead climb and climb until the game was a full blowout. Despite his blank sheet it wasn’t a completely terrible game for Patrick Clohisy. In addition to that liner in the fifth inning he smoked a ball in his final at bat, but a nifty sliding catch wiped away a chance at extra bases and spoiled Clohisy’s chances of getting back in a groove.
Swing and Misses
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Brian Moran – 8
Amos Willingham – 7
Ian Anderson – 6
(55-68) Rome Emperors 3, (63-63) Hub City Spartanburgers 2
Cedric De Grandpre, SP: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K, 3.74 ERA
Riley Frey, RP: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 4.36 ERA
We’re going to start with the good news for Alex Lodise. In addition to a Rome win, he drove a long home run in the third inning, easily clearing the deep power alley in Hub City’s home park to give Rome an early 1-0 lead. The bad news is that he struck out in every other plate appearances. In defense of Lodise, it’s been a long season for him and we already expected some contact and approach issues, but it has gotten to horrible levels in the past week. Since the start of the last series against Winston-Salem, Lodise has struck out in 17 of his 31 plate appearances with only one walk.
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Rome as a whole was fairly successful at the plate with a combined 11 hits across the lineup, and the duo of Cody Miller and Isaiah Drake had a huge influence on the game. Miller followed up that Lodise home run but lining a ball down the right field line and turning it into a double, a play that was immediately followed by a hard hit single from Isaiah Drake. Drake’s hit was snagged off of one hop on a diving play by the shortstop, who although he was able to prevent the ball getting into center field likely saving a run, wasn’t able to get up in time to get Drake. Drake then swiped second base, but that stellar stretch and the inning was ended when Logan Braunschweig reached for a ball and popped it routinely into center field for the third out.
Braunschweig made up for that rally-ending out a few innings later, providing a key hit and a run in a then-tied game. Drake’s second hit of the game was a seeing-eye single that snuck up the middle, and Braunschweig followed by hitting a steaming liner over shortstop for a single that moved Drake up a base. A balk would put both into scoring position, allowing for Keshawn Ogans to come up with the biggest hit of the game. While the pitch would shatter Ogans’s bat in his hands, he was able to muscle it off of the end of the bat and roll it through the right side of the infield, and both runners sprinted around and scored to give Rome a 3-1 lead.
Flipping to the other side of the coin, Cedric De Grandpre ended his season with a much-needed dominant outing. July was a tough run for him as his control problems really started to affect his performances in games, but he ended on a positive note with a terrific outing. Still, his command was not great and he threw more balls than we were used to in prior seasons from him, but a key difference was his ability to end at bats early and not run into deep counts. De Grandpre made some of his best pitches in deciding counts, showing a feel for missing bats with three pitches which has been missing a bit in prior starts. His slider in particular was electric as it was the go-to down and glove side off of the plate, and he placed it there frequently with two strikes. However when lefties were sitting on that back-foot slider he had the feel for his changeup to mix it in, tunneling it well and keeping those hitters off balance. He did a terrific job of elevating his fastball throughout the outing, and proved how effective he can be as a starter when his stuff is on. He has improved significantly with his secondaries since he first entered the system, and while his changeup is still inconsistent he does show a much more effective version now.
The college volleyball offseason has only just officially begun, but moves are already being made.
Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner kicked things off by signing an All-American honorable mention for next season’s group. UK announced the addition of Notre Dame outside hitter Morgan Gaerte through the transfer portal on Wednesday morning. A 6-foot-5 native of Indiana, Gaerte was named a 2025 AVCA All-American Honorable Mention and a First Team All-ACC performer. She’ll help ease the loss of Eva Hudson — the lone senior on Kentucky’s national runner-up team this past season — on the outside.
Gaerte, who will have two years of eligibility remaining with the Wildcats, set a Notre Dame record last season with 4.64 kills per set (13th nationally). She’ll be expected to play on the opposite side of All-American outside hitter Brooklyn DeLeye for the ‘Cats in 2026. Skinner is already reloading.
Gaerte was a rare star for Notre Dame volleyball. A team captain, she started all 28 matches in 2025 as a sophomore for the Fighting Irish, finishing the year with 497 kills, the third-most ever in a season in Notre Dame history and the most since Christy Peters in 1997. Her First Team All-ACC nod was the first by a Notre Dame player since 2020. She reached 20 or more kills in 11 matches, also a program record for one season.
But where the transfer portal can give, it can also take. Kentucky lost a piece of this past season’s roster when redshirt sophomore middle blocker Brooke Bultema announced on Wednesday her intentions to transfer out of Lexington. After a redshirt freshman campaign in 2024 that saw her named to the SEC All-Freshman Team, Bultema did not see as much playing time in 2025 as she would have hoped for.
She likely won’t be the last outgoing transfer for Kentucky, either. Skinner is expected to return eight of his top nine rotation players from last season (barring an unexpected transfer), with the only departure being Hudson to graduation. And now that Gaerte is in the fold, the top half of the roster is in good shape once again. Don’t be shocked if other current Wildcats deeper on the bench elect to look elsewhere in the coming days/weeks.
Skinner shows love to the BBN
Coming off a disappointing loss in the national championship match to Texas A&M, Craig Skinner reminded us all how truly magical the 2025 campaign still was. Kentucky won its ninth straight SEC Championship, won the SEC Tournament, finished with 30 wins on the season, and went perfect (15-0) during conference play. UK made just the program’s second-ever national title match and first since winning it all in 2020 along the way.
Skinner sent out a few social media posts on Wednesday morning, thanking the Big Blue Nation for all their support throughout the season. He says over 38,000 total fans showed up to home matches inside Memorial Coliseum in 2025, where the ‘Cats did not drop a single match.
Man. What a ride! This team rejuvenated my fire for coaching and my love for this incredible fan base. Over 38,000 of you came through the turnstiles at HMC and led us to an undefeated home record and a Lexington Regional Championship! pic.twitter.com/Xw7aBDBN4E
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ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. – Four members of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland volleyball team were honored by the College Sports Communicators (CSC) as members of the CSC Academic All-District® Team, the organization announced in a release Tuesday (Dec. 16).
Senior Julia Bobrowski (California, Md./Leonardtown), juniors Camilla Galeano (Germantown, Md./Damascus) and Lauren Panageotou (Baltimore, Md./Mercy), and sophomore Stella Marrero (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Christian Life) all earned the award for the 2025 season.
Bobrowski is the lone repeat selection.
The 2025 Academic All-District® Volleyball Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the court and in the classroom.
The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes volleyball honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.
Outstanding student-athletes are nominated for Academic All-District® recognition by communications directors and must have a minimum 3.50 GPA plus meet high athletic standards.
Bobrowski owns a 3.74 GPA as a sociology major and business administration minor for her second straight Academic All-District award. The 5-6 outside hitter ranked sixth in the United East Conference with 55 service aces and 14th with 0.52 aces per set. She was named to the United East All-Sportsmanship Team (Nov. 24).
Galeano, a computer science major with a 3.87 GPA, tied for 14th in the conference with 42 service aces while tying for 17th with 0.49 aces per set. The 5-4 setter led the Seahawks with 402 assists while registering 20-plus assists five times this season.
A psychology major and educational studies minor, Panageotou boasts a 3.7 GPA. The 5-10 setter was second on the team with 291 assists while adding 101 digs, 12 service aces, and six kills in 30 matches.
Marrero picked up her first Academic All-District award with 3.96 GPA as a neuroscience and psychology double major and biology minor. The 5-7 defensive specialist ranked 10th in the United East with 303 digs while sitting 20th with 2.78 digs per set. She was also second on the team with 45 service aces.
St. Mary’s College (17-15, 8-2 UEC) captured the program’s first-ever conference tournament championship title by taking the 2025 United East tournament crown with a 3-2 road win over top-seeded Penn State Harrisburg. The Seahawks also gained the program’s first-ever berth in the NCAA Division III Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Wellsboro junior Madison Cruttenden was recently named to the Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association’s, PVCA, Class 2A All-State team.
Cruttenden was one of three NTL and District IV volleyballers (Aryana Andrus and Alli Bailey from Troy) to make the team.
Cruttenden received 536 serves, made 37 assists and had 341 digs this season. She also scored 163 points to go along with 54 aces.
Over the course of her career she has made 1,197 receptions, 56 assists, 784 digs, 407 points (112 aces) and 6 kills.
“This is a well-deserved honor for Maddy,” head coach Darci Pollock said. “She has been a consistent back row player for us the past two seasons. She continues to work hard in the off season. I’m very proud of her work ethic and dedication to the team!”
Cruttenden is the ninth Wellsboro player to earn a spot on the PCVA All-State team. Cruttenden joins Carrie Gorda, Rachel Patt, Hannah Zuchowski, Kirsten Florio, Caitlyn Callahan, Megan Starkweather, Paige Logsdon and Lexi Urena.
All-RRV Volleyball 2025: A golden finish: Trinity Christian Academy’s Pyeatt walks off as state champion and All-RRV Volleyball Co-Offensive Player of the Year | Free
The 118th Millrose Games women’s 3000 meters on Feb. 1, 2026, at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory will feature a showdown between NCAA distance running’s top stars Doris Lemngole and Jane Hedengren, along with 2025 runner-up Josette Andrews.
Lemngole, competing for Alabama, holds the NCAA championship and record in the 3000m steeplechase. The Kenya native won the steeplechase at the Lausanne Diamond League and finished fourth at the World Championships before claiming her second straight NCAA cross country title — her fifth NCAA championship overall. The junior received the 2025 Bowerman Award last week, recognizing her as collegiate track and field’s top athlete.
“I am excited and looking forward to competing at the Millrose Games, especially given its prestige and historic significance,” said Lemngole in a release by the meeting this week.. “It is a great opportunity!”
Read More: Julien Alfred Among Sprinters Confirmed For 2025 Millrose Games
Hedengren broke every American high school distance record from 1500m through 5000m before enrolling at BYU. The freshman went unbeaten in cross country until finishing second to Lemngole at nationals, then shattered the NCAA 5000m record with a 14:44.79 clocking in her indoor debut.
Both runners will chase Katelyn Tuohy’s NCAA 3000m record of 8:35.20, established at the 2023 Millrose Games.
Andrews, from Tenafly, N.J., finished sixth in the 5000m at the 2025 World Championships and has top-five showings at World Indoor Championships and the Diamond League Final.
Several Other 118th Millrose Games Confirmations
The World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold meet will also feature Grant Fisher, Cole Hocker, Elle St. Pierre, Jess Hull, Nikki Hiltz, Joe Kovacs, Yared Nuguse, Hobbs Kessler, Cameron Myers, Julien Alfred, Devynne Charlton and Danielle Williams.
Tickets are available at millrosegames.org. More than 85 percent of seats have sold.
DAYTONA BEACH – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats have officially released their 2026 softball schedule. The schedule includes four in-season tournaments prior to SWAC play along with two separate contests against non-conference foes.
The Wildcats’ season will begin at the USF-Rawlings Classic in Tampa from February 5-7. B-CU will open against Illinois State, followed by matchups with USF, Kansas, Michigan, and Florida.
The Cats’ first game at Sunnyland Park will take place on February 11th against North Dakota State at 5 p.m.
From February 13-15, the Wildcats will be in Leesburg, Florida for THE Spring Games, where they will take on mid-majors LIU, Southern Miss, Loyola Chicago, and St. John’s.
The following weekend, B-CU once again travels to Cathedral City, California for an appearance in the annual Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic (Feb. 19-21), squaring off against Utah, Rutgers, Texas Tech, Oregon State, and Long Beach State.
For their fourth and final in-season tournament, the Wildcats head to Madiera Beach, Florida for the Make It Happen Games. The event takes place from February 27 to March 1 and features Bellarmine, UMass, UIC, Bowling Green, and Monmouth.
The Wildcats’ SWAC schedule begins on Friday, March 6th with a two-game road series against Alabama A&M. B-CU will then finish up their non-conference schedule following a road contest against UNF (March 11).
B-CU welcomes Alabama State for a three-game series on March 13th & 14th. The following weekend (March 20-21), they will travel to play Jackson State before heading back to Sunnyland. The Cats host rival Florida A&M for a three-game set on March 27th and 28th.
The Wildcats travel to Itta Bena, Mississippi to take on the Delta Devils on April 3rd & 4th. Their final three series include rematches of previous series against Jackson State, Alabama State, and Alabama A&M. B-CU will host the Tigers (April 10-11) and the Bulldogs (April 24-25), while traveling to face the Hornets (April 17-18).
The Southeastern Athletic Conference tournament will again compete in Gulfport, Mississippi, and takes place from May 5th to May 9th.
Follow Bethune-Cookman Softball on Twitter (@BCUSoftball) and Instagram (@BCUSoftball) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.
