Eight Whitecaps softball players named 2021 NFCA All-America Scholar Athletes

Eight Galveston College Whitecaps softball players have been named National Fastpitch Coaches Association 2021 All-America Scholar Athletes. Athletes who achieve a 3.5 or better GPA on a 4.0 scale are recognized as NFCA Scholar Athletes.

Those recognized include the following:


Alyssa Castellano


Cailtin Denison


Bailey Groom


Aspyn Grossman

Chasity Kambitsch
Chasity Kambitsch

Odette Lopez
Odette Lopez

Jordan Rasmussen
Jordan Rasmussen


Makinzie Tomascik

Sandi Smith

Galveston College Whitecaps logo wins national Paragon Award

Galveston College has been awarded a 2020 Bronze Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) for its new Whitecaps athletics logo. The Public Affairs team celebrated the win virtually during the recent 2021 NCMPR National Conference.

NCMPR’s prestigious Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in communication and design at community colleges. It is the only national competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges. NCMPR has more than 1,700 members from nearly 650 colleges across the United States and Canada. This year’s competition had more than 1,800 entries.

The new Whitecaps logo was developed in-house under the art direction of Galveston College Creative Services Manager Sandi Smith. It was part of a comprehensive Whitecaps rebranding initiative conducted by the college’s Public Affairs department and the college’s Communication, Marketing and Advertising Committee comprised of faculty, staff and students.

Since the college launched the logo in spring 2020, it has been featured on a new Galveston College athletics website, gcwhitecaps.com, and on merchandise, signage, advertising, apparel, and digital and print publications.

“The design features a blue wave with a foamy crest and a friendly but fierce expression,” said Carol Langston, director of public affairs.

“The logo is fresh and fun. It’s been well-received by our students, faculty, staff and the community. I want to commend Sandi for her design excellence and art direction on the project. I also want to thank the members of our Communication, Marketing and Advertising Committee for their willingness to sift through many designs. It’s always a great day to be a Whitecap.”

Galveston College New Slap Can Cooler

Galveston College launches new Whitecaps Athletics website

Galveston College has launched a new Whitecaps Athletics website: gcwhitecaps.com.

The website contains up-to-date Whitecaps baseball and softball schedules and rosters.

As Galveston College coaches update statistics and schedules in the National Junior College Athletic Association system, fans are able to view the updates on the gcwhitecaps.com site.

When fully developed, the website will contain additional news and information on Whitecaps baseball and softball, player spotlights, a photo gallery and more.

For more information and to suggest content, please contact Carol Langston, director of public affairs, at [email protected].

Whitecaps to host Island Invitational softball and baseball tournaments Friday and Saturday

In a first for Galveston Island, the Galveston College Whitecaps softball and baseball teams will host joint Island Invitational tournaments Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5-6, with first pitch at 10 a.m. each day.

Island Invitational Softball Tournament
In what has become an annual tradition on the island, the Whitecaps softball team will welcome the Alvin Community College Dolphins, Blinn College Buccaneers, Connors State College Cowgirls, Louisiana State University Eunice Bengals, Northwest Florida State College Raiders, San Jacinto College Coyotes and Temple College Leopards to this year’s tournament at the City of Galveston’s Lassie League Complex, 83rd Street and Airport Boulevard, Galveston.

On Friday, the Whitecaps will play Connors State College at 10 a.m. and San Jacinto College at 3 p.m. on Field 2. On Saturday, the Whitecaps will play Temple College at 10 a.m. and Alvin Community College at 12:30 p.m. on Field 2.

Christa Wallace is entering her second season as head softball coach and director of athletics at Galveston College and third season on the Whitecaps coaching staff.

During Coach Wallace’s time at Galveston College, she helped coach the Whitecaps to the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIV Conference Championship in 2018 and an NJCAA National Tournament appearance in St. George, Utah, in May 2018.

Prior to joining the Whitecaps coaching staff, she served as an assistant softball coach at The University of Texas at Tyler. In two years at UT Tyler, she helped coach the Patriots to the program’s first NCAA Division III National Championship in 2016 and a third-place finish in 2017.

Coach Wallace helped coach three All-Conference players, two All-West Region award recipients, two All-Americans and a HERO Player of the Year. During her time as an assistant, the Patriots posted a combined record of 95-11.

As a collegiate player, Coach Wallace split her career between Blinn College and UT Tyler. At Blinn College, she was named second-team NFCA All-Midwest Region, second-team All-Conference, NJCAA Academic All-American and NFCA All-American Scholar-Athlete. She went on to UT Tyler where she was named All-Conference Honorable Mention and to the NCAA DIII Championship All-Tournament Team. She finished as NCAA National Runner-Up with a record of 50-5 while making “The Catch” (#1 play on ESPN Top 10 and Best of the Best).

Assisting Coach Wallace is longtime collegiate softball coach Maria Winn-Ratliff, who spent the 2020 season as the head coach at Louisiana Tech, where she led the Lady Techsters to a 2-1 start to conference play before the COVID-19 pandemic prematurely ended the season.

Prior to assuming the position in Ruston, Coach Winn spent 15 years as the head coach at Tyler Junior College and Western Nebraska Community College, where she amassed 699 wins and made eight appearances in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Softball Championship tournament.

Coach Winn posted a record of 164-42 during her three years at Tyler Junior College – a program that produced the 2019 Conference USA Player of the Year. All three teams were ranked nationally and advanced to the NJCAA National Softball Championship tournament.

While at TJC, Coach Winn coached eight National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Americans, eight NJCAA All-Americans, three Fastpitch News All-Americans, 21 All-Conference players and 15 All-Region players. She and her coaching team were named the NJCAA Region XIV Coaching Staff of the Year in 2017 and the NFCA Region Coaching Staff of the Year in 2019.

During her 12 years at WNCC, Coach Winn had a record of 535-218-1, including nine seasons with 40 or more wins and five trips to the NJCAA National Softball Championship tournament. A six-time Region IX Coach of the Year recipient, she coached 16 NFCA All-Americans and seven NJCAA All-Americans at WNCC. Her teams also won 32 NJCAA and NFCA academic awards.

Admission for the softball tournament is $10 for a two-day pass or $5 per day. Coach Wallace invites everyone out to watch some fastpitch college softball in action.

Island Invitational Baseball Tournament
In what promises to be an exciting two days of college baseball on the island, the Whitecaps baseball team will welcome the Alvin Community College Dolphins, Blinn College Buccaneers, Temple College Leopards and Western Texas College Westerners to Galveston for its second annual tournament at Bernard Davis Stadium, 81st Street and Frank Giusti Drive, Galveston.

On Friday, the Whitecaps will take on Western Texas College at 4 p.m. and Blinn College at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the Whitecaps will play Temple College at 3 p.m. and Alvin Community College at 7 p.m.

Kevin Lallmann is entering his third season as head baseball coach at Galveston College and his sixth season on the Whitecaps coaching staff. During Coach Lallmann’s tenure, the Whitecaps sent 30 players on to the NCAA Division I level, had three players drafted in the MLB draft and had another player sign as a free agent.

Assisting Coach Lallmann is former Whitecaps standout Kyle Giusti, who joined the Galveston College coaching staff as assistant coach in 2019 after spending the 2018 season at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he worked with the team’s hitters and served as bullpen coach.

In its preseason rankings, the JUCO Baseball Blog (The JBB), a leading media outlet for junior college baseball news, ranked the Whitecaps as number 31 in the nation among the NJCAA’s 221 Division 1 teams. Galveston College competes in NJCAA Region 14, long-considered a powerhouse in the nation.

“We are excited to be back on the field after such a long layoff,” Coach Lallmann said. “We look forward to competing in a tough region, and expectations are high for the Whitecaps.”

Coach Lallmann invites everyone out to Bernard Davis Stadium to watch the teams in action.

Admission for the baseball tournament is $5 each day.

For both tournaments, spectators, student-athletes, coaches and media will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. In keeping with state of Texas guidelines, masks will be required. Fans are encouraged to socially distance into groups (individuals, families and students who live together).

For more information on Galveston College athletics and the complete Whitecaps softball schedule, please visit the official website at gcwhitecaps.com.

2020 Signing Day

Two Whitecaps sign with Division 1 universities

Two Galveston College pitchers on Nov. 11 signed National Letters of Intent to play with universities in Texas and Louisiana.

Kurt Dillon of Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada, has signed with Louisiana Tech University. His parents are Kathie and Mark Dillon. His sister is Meghan Dillon.

Travis Phelps, of Alvin, Texas, has signed with Texas State University. He is the son of Cassie and Todd Phelps. His siblings are Joseph and Andrew Butler and Kasey and Darby Phelps.

“We are proud of Kurt and Travis’ opportunity to go play Division 1 baseball. It is part of the reason student athletes continue to choose Galveston College as a springboard for their academic and athletic careers,” said Whitecaps head coach Kevin Lallmann. “We wish them the best as they move on, and we look forward to seeing them play at the next level.”

During Coach Lallmann’s five years at Galveston College, the Whitecaps sent 30 players on to the NCAA Division I level, had three players drafted in the MLB draft and had another player sign as a free agent.

The Whitecaps also have continued a tradition of academic excellence each year, with an impressive cumulative team grade-point average in excess of 3.0.

Nov. 11 marked the first day of the early signing period as athletes across the country signed their National Letters of Intent.  To view a list of Galveston College transfer achievements since 2013, visit https://gc.edu/athletics/whitecaps-baseball/4-year-college-transfer-achievements/.

Above: Galveston College Whitecaps pitchers Kurt Dillon (left) of Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada, and Travis Phelps of Alvin, Texas, sign their letters of intent to play baseball at Louisiana Tech University and Texas State University, respectively, as volunteer coach Kyle Thomason, head coach Kevin Lallmann and assistant coach Kyle Giusti look on.

NJCAA Current Logo

NJCAA moves majority of sports to spring

Following the recommendations from the National Junior College Athletic Association Presidential Advisory Council and the NJCAA Board of Regents, the NJCAA has announced its adjusted plan of action for the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year.

Following the Board of Regents’ vote on July 13, a majority of competition will be moved to the spring semester.

“Our greatest focus is and always has been providing the best opportunities for our student-athletes,” stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA president and CEO. “Through a unified effort from our Presidential Advisory Council, the Board of Regents and leadership staff, our most recent plan of action provides a path that keeps our student-athletes competing at the highest level with proper safety measures in place. As we move forward as an association, we will continue to provide opportunities for our student-athletes, coaches, and all those involved with the NJCAA to be safe and successful.”

For spring sports, including baseball and softball, competition remains intact with minor adjustments to dates. The fall practice schedule will include a maximum of 60 consecutive calendar days for practice and scrimmages from Sept. 5 to Nov. 15. Baseball will be allowed a maximum of 15 fall scrimmages (not dates) against outside competition. Softball will be allowed a maximum of seven fall scrimmage dates against outside competition.

To view the updated NJCAA 2020-2021 plan of action, click here. To view all NJCAA COVID-19 updates, click here.

Kyle Giusti, Assistant Baseball Coach

Galveston College Coach Kyle Giusti named to Abilene Christian Baseball All-Decade Team

Galveston College Assistant Baseball Coach Kyle Giusti has been named to the Abilene Christian University Baseball All-Decade Team.

As a third baseman, Coach Giusti played in the final Division II year for ACU in 2013 and was named to the All-Lone Star Conference First Team. He also played in ACU’s first year as a Division I school.

Coach Giusti hit .346 in two seasons, including a team-high .358 average in 2013. He drove in 59 runs in two years, including 40 as a junior. He also recorded a .931 fielding percentage at third base.

Twenty-eight of ACU’s best players from the past decade (2010-2019) were nominated for this prestigious group. Fans voted online to decide the top eight position players, including three position-less outfielders, designated hitter, utility player, the top two starting pitchers and top two relief pitchers to complete a 14-player All-Decade Team.

Coach Giusti is the son of Donna and Joe Giusti, Galveston County Precinct 2 County Commissioner. He is a graduate of Santa Fe High School and played two years for the Galveston College Whitecaps, where he was named 2012 Texas/New Mexico JUCO all-star, as well as all-conference and region as a sophomore.

For more information, visit https://acusports.com/news/2020/6/19/mens-golf-fans-select-baseballs-all-decade-team.aspx.

Whitecaps softball to host 2020 Island Invitational

The Galveston College Whitecaps softball team will host the 2020 Galveston College Island Invitational softball tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 8, beginning at 10 a.m. each day at the Lassie League Complex, 2506 83rd St., Galveston, Texas.

The Whitecaps will take on Angelina College at 3 p.m. and Connors State College of Warner, Oklahoma, at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at field 2 in the tournament, which will feature eight teams from throughout Texas and the southern U.S.

On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Whitecaps will play Alvin Community College at 10 a.m. and Temple College at 3 p.m. on field 2.

Other teams featured in the tournament include Blinn College, Brenham; Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier City, Louisiana; and San Jacinto College, Pasadena.

Admission is $10 for a tournament pass or $5 a day.

For more information on Galveston College athletics and the complete Whitecaps softball schedule, please visit the official website at https://gc.edu/athletics/whitecaps-softball/.

Whitecaps baseball team hosts inaugural Island Invitational tournament

Hundreds of fans and family members from throughout east Texas and the Gulf Coast region were on hand to cheer on their teams at the first-ever Galveston College Whitecaps Island Invitational Friday and Saturday at Bernard Davis Stadium and Tor Baseball Field.
After two full days of play marked by sunny skies and mild winter temperatures, Temple College emerged the winner of the tournament after winning all four of its games.
Galveston College won its first game of the season on Friday, beating Howard College by a score of 3-1. On Saturday, the Whitecaps lost to Temple College, 4-12, and Coastal Bend College, 2-5.
Alvin Community College, Coastal Bend College and Howard College each won two games. Galveston College and Wharton County Junior College each took one.
Game scores:
  • Wharton County Junior College, 7 – Howard College, 4
  • Temple College, 3 – Alvin Community College, 2
  • Galveston College, 3 – Howard College, 1
  • Alvin Community College, 6 – Coastal Bend College, 1
  • Temple College, 8 – Wharton County Junior College, 4
  • Howard College, 7 – Alvin Community College, 2
  • Alvin Community College, 6 – Coastal Bend College, 1
  • Temple College, 8 – Wharton County Junior College, 4
  • Howard College, 8 – Alvin Community College, 3
  • Temple College, 12 – Galveston College, 4
  • Coastal Bend College, 5 – Galveston College, 2
  • Coastal Bend College, 9 – Wharton County Junior College, 6
For more information on Galveston College athletics and the complete Whitecaps baseball schedule, please visit https://gc.edu/athletics/whitecaps-baseball/.
WHITECAPS 2020

Galveston College Whitecaps baseball to host inaugural Island Invitational

The Galveston College Whitecaps baseball team will host its inaugural Galveston College Island Invitational on Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, at Bernard Davis Stadium at 81st Street and Frank Giusti Drive and Tor Baseball Field at 83rd and Stewart Road.

The tournament will feature six community college teams from throughout the region.

First pitch is 1 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, play gets underway at 10 a.m.

The Whitecaps will take on Howard College at 8 p.m. on Friday. On Saturday, the Whitecaps will play Temple College at 4 p.m. and Coastal Bend College at 8 p.m.

Other teams featured in the tournament include Alvin Community College and Wharton County Junior College.

Admission is free, and the games are open to the public.

Kevin Lallmann is entering his second season as head baseball coach at Galveston College and his fifth season on the Whitecaps coaching staff. During Coach Lallmann’s tenure, the Whitecaps sent 28 players on to the NCAA Division I level, had two players drafted in the MLB draft and had another player sign as a free agent.

Assisting Coach Lallmann is former Whitecaps standout Kyle Giusti, who joined the Whitecaps coaching staff as assistant coach last season after spending the 2018 season at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he worked with the team’s hitters and served as bullpen coach.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement for this season,” Coach Lallmann said. “It doesn’t get any better than college baseball, and we are ready to put it out there and give it everything we have.”

For more information on Galveston College athletics and the complete Whitecaps baseball schedule, please visit https://gc.edu/athletics/whitecaps-baseball/.