Tag: Baseball

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 Baseball 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 at Tor Baseball Field at 83rd and Stewart Road, both in Galveston. Go Whitecaps!

Whitecaps Logo

Galveston College unveils new athletics logo

Galveston College has unveiled a new athletics logo and mascot just in time for the spring 2020 baseball and softball seasons.

The comprehensive redesign includes a distinct logo, new wordmark and new colors to reflect the college’s official royal blue and orange colors, which replaced blue and rust in 2018.

“The new logo features a blue wave with a foamy crest and a friendly but fierce expression,” said Carol Langston, director of public affairs. “We have had a great reaction from students, faculty and staff, and we are excited to introduce our new athletics brand to our fans in the community.”

This is the college’s first mascot and first logo update since Galveston College launched its sports teams under the name Whitecaps in 1992.

“Having a strong and recognizable brand is important to Galveston College and our high-performing athletics program,” said Dr. Myles Shelton, president. “The new Whitecaps logo provides us with a more powerful connection to our fans and our community. It also allows us to more seamlessly elevate the entire college’s visibility in the region, state and nation.”

The new Whitecaps wordmark will be featured on baseball uniforms this spring and new softball uniforms in 2021. Any new uniforms or equipment will include the new branding. The old Whitecaps wordmark will remain in use with some items as it is phased out.

The new logo also will be featured on athletics apparel, signage and the athletics website.

The rebranding project, which began a year ago, was conducted by the college’s Public Affairs department and the college’s Communication, Marketing and Advertising Committee comprised of faculty, staff and students.

The college will conduct a mascot naming contest during the spring 2020 semester.

Whitecaps to honor 1994 NJCAA championship team at Turn Back the Clock Day

Twenty-five years ago, the Galveston College Whitecaps baseball team ascended to the pinnacle of athletic success by winning the 1994 National Junior College Athletic Association Division I title in only its third year of intercollegiate athletic competition.

On Thursday, April 25, the current Whitecaps team, coaches and fans will honor the 1994 Junior College World Series champs at “Turn Back the Clock Day” prior to the 4 p.m. doubleheader with the San Jacinto College Gators at Bernard Davis Field, 81st Street and Frank Guisti Drive, Galveston

The Whitecaps will wear throwback uniforms, and there will be a bounce house for the kids, free popcorn, music and fun. The games are free and open to the public.

In June 1994, the Whitecaps took the field in the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado, determined to improve on their third-place finish of the previous year. The team responded remarkably to the pressures of the series competition, winning six of seven games to take the coveted crown and finish the season with 54 wins against only 14 defeats.

Although each team member made a significant contribution to the Whitecaps’ success, several players also earned individual honors. Jose Rosado, Roman Escamilla, Stephen Randolph, William Roland, Dominic Hernandez, Justin Bowles and Mark Cridland were named to the NJCAA World Series all-tournament team. Jose Rosado also was tabbed the series most valuable player and most valuable pitcher, and Justin Bowles was chosen NJCAA first team All-American and Baseball America junior college player of the year.

Other Whitecaps receiving recognition for their performance during conference and postseason regional tournament competition included Mark Manbeck, Chris Olson, Stephen Watson, Scott Morrison, Collin Wissen and Karl Chatman.

Inspiration and determined leadership were the hallmark of head Coach Dick Smith, who led his players in baseball fundamentals and ignited their desire to excel both individually and as a team. For his superior efforts, Coach Smith was honored as NJCAA and ABCA coach of the year in 1994.

Dr. Marc Nigliazzo, president of Galveston College in 1994 and founder of the Whitecaps baseball program, said at the time the team’s championship in only its third year of competition far exceeded his original expectations. He said his primary goal was to provide “an opportunity for 30 to 40 kids to compete in intercollegiate athletics and to receive a good education. The rest was gravy.”

This exemplary group of men and their coaches has been a tremendous source of pride for the Whitecaps athletic program, student-athletes, coaches, students, faculty and staff of Galveston College and their many fans in the community for a quarter of a century. Their exceptional accomplishments have rightfully earned them honors from the city of Galveston, Galveston County and the state of Texas.

In recognition of the 25th anniversary of Galveston College winning the national championship, the Whitecaps are proud to play Thursday in honor of the 1994 NJCAA World Series champions.

Whitecaps Baseball Game

Thurs 3/28/19 vs Laredo 3PM

(still will stay as a double header of 7 inning then 9 inning games)

GC Whitecaps Baseball vs. North Central Texas College

Feb. 8-9: Whitecaps Baseball vs. North Central Texas College

The Galveston College Whitecaps baseball team will take on the North Central Texas College Lions in a three-game series Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8-9, at Bernard Davis Field in Galveston, Texas. Game times at 12 p.m. on Saturday. The Office of Student Activities and Student Government Association will provide free hot dogs, chips and drinks while they last for the Friday game.

Whitecaps Baseball vs. North Central Texas College

Feb. 8-9: Whitecaps Baseball vs. North Central Texas College

The Galveston College Whitecaps baseball team will take on the North Central Texas College Lions in a three-game series Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8-9, at Bernard Davis Field in Galveston, Texas. Game times are 2 p.m. on Friday and 12 p.m. on Saturday. The Office of Student Activities and Student Government Association will provide free hot dogs, chips and drinks while they last for the Friday game.

assistant softball coach

Kyle Giusti is new Galveston College assistant baseball coach

Galveston College baseball standout Kyle Giusti has returned to his alma mater to serve as assistant coach of the Whitecaps baseball team.

The Santa Fe, Texas, native spent the 2018 season at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock where he worked with the team’s hitters and served as bullpen coach. During his time at UA Little Rock, the Trojans experienced one of their best seasons in recent years and won their first postseason game since 2011.

Before UA Little Rock, Giusti served as a volunteer assistant coach at Galveston College. He was the team’s first base coach and helped the Whitecaps to a regional tournament appearance and an overall record of 35-22.

Prior to Galveston College, Giusti was the head coach at Rotan High School in Rotan, Texas. He led the team to its first playoff appearance in over 10 seasons after going 15-10, and secured District 6-2A Coach of the Year honors.

Giusti began his coaching career as a student assistant at Abilene Christian University in 2015 after a successful playing career. Giusti played at Abilene Christian for two seasons where he garnered First Team All-Southland honors, First Team ABCA All-South Central Region honors and status. He transferred to ACU from Galveston College where he was a 2012 Texas/New Mexico JUCO All-Star and a First Team All-Conference and All-Region selection as a sophomore.

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

Galveston Kiwanis Club to honor Andre Deroeun at Whitecaps season opener

The Galveston College Whitecaps baseball team will take on the Temple College Leopards in its season opener Friday, Jan. 25, at 3 p.m. at Bernard Davis Field, 83rd Street and Frank Giusti Drive, Galveston, Texas.

At 2:45 p.m. prior to the game, the Galveston Kiwanis Club will make a presentation in honor of Andre DeRouen, a member of the Whitecaps baseball team from League City, Texas, who drowned last year while rescuing his brother from a neighborhood pond.

Houston Astros announcer Bob Ford will emcee the event. Admission is free.

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