Rust College Bearcats
Conference: Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC)
Head Coach: John Bates, 3rd Season
2023 Record: 25-25 (.500)
Black College Nines (BCN) 2023 HBCU Baseball Final Poll: No. 9
Top Returning Players:
Jalin Thomas, INF/C
Shemaar Stapleton, OF
JaShaun Franks, OF
Top Freshman Recruits:
Kyrent Cole, INF
Top JUCO Transfer:
Jalen Ward LHP freshman (Mound Bayou, Miss)
Top Transfer/Portal
Augustus Latting RHP freshman (Memphis)
Arvis Latting, RHP (Memphis)
Preseason Overview:
The Rust College Bearcat program is looking for a fourth straight postseason appearance and a second straight trip to the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship and a return trip to Montgomery, AL, Riverwalk Stadium, the site of the Black College World Series.
The Bearcats made significant moves in their recruiting effort despite losing first basemen Khalil Robinson to graduation and transfers Victor Clay and Jesse Burton III to Morehouse and Alcorn State respectively. The Bearcats have players to step in to replace them.
Senior Brent Jackson, who was out last year due to injury, has moved to first base, sophomore D.K. Warren has moved into the shortstop position along with junior Jalik Demar to anchor the infield at third base. Freshman Kyrent Cole from Chicago will be the second baseman. Even with Jesse Burton’s departure, the outfield will keep a veteran presence with juniors JaShaun Franks, Malik Berrien and Black College World Series Homerun Derby Champion, senior Shemaar Stapleton.
Senior NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Jalin Thomas is back at catcher along with sophomore Olin Evans and freshman Augustus Latting from Memphis.
The deep pitching staff is led by senior Brytan Sampson, junior Jackson Bryant, sophomores Xavier Campbell, Devin Tallington and relief pitcher William Baker with freshmen addittions LHP Jalen Ward from Mound Bayou, Mississippi and RHP Arvis Latting from Memphis.