SoCon baseball player, pitcher of the week announced

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – ETSU catcher JD Yakubinis and Western Carolina relief pitcher Brandon Langley have been named the Southern Conference player and pitcher of the week, respectively, for all competition from March 3-9. The awards are selected by the league office.

Yakubinis hit .571 this week, going 8-for-14 over a three-game series against ACC foe Pittsburgh. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native played a crucial role in the Buccaneers’ series win, tallying at least two hits in every game. He scored two runs and drove in two RBIs in the series as well. On Saturday, March 8, Yakubinis had a career-best four hits in the Bucs’ 8-4 comeback to even the series. As catcher, the redshirt senior logged 22 putouts. ETSU won the series with a 6-5 victory on Sunday, March 9.

ETSU (12-3) will travel to Georgia for a mid-week match up on Tuesday, March 11. Buccaneers then host Longwood for a weekend series starting on Friday, March 14.

Langley made two appearances in relief last week for the Catamounts, earning one win and one save. On Wednesday, March 5, the junior pitched 2.1 innings against Michigan State in a 10-7 victory, earning the win. He struck out six and did not allow a hit to finish the game. On March 8, in a 16-12 win against Georgia State, the New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island, Canada, product pitched 2.2 innings, striking out four and giving up just one hit for the save.

Western Carolina (7-9) will travel to Gardner-Webb for a Tuesday matchup. The Catamounts will then host Eastern Illinois for the weekend series beginning on Friday.

Also nominated for player of the week: Titan Kamaka (Mercer), Jeffrey Ince (Samford), Boston Torres (VMI), Jack Spyke (Western Carolina), Ryan Wynn (Wofford)

Also nominated for pitcher of the week: Will Holmes (The Citadel), Brady Frederick (ETSU), Colton Cosper (Mercer), Dylan Smith (UNCG), Cameron Keshock (Samford), and Champ Davis (Wofford).

2025 SoCon Players of the Week
Feb. 17 Ryan Wynn, So., SS, Wofford
Feb. 24 Bredley Frye, Sr., SS, Mercer
March 3 Mason Holton, Sr., INF, Western Carolina
March 10 JD Yakubinis, R-Sr., C, ETSU

2025 SoCon Pitcher of the Week
Feb. 17 Ryan Miller, Jr., RHP, UNCG
Feb. 24 Caden Plummer, Sr., RHP, VMI
March 3 Colton Cosper, Sr., LHP, Mercer
March 10 Brandon Langley, Jr., RHP, Western Carolina