Valdosta State Fall Report: Hulse Takes the Helm with New-Look Blazers

A new era begins at Billy Grant Field at Tommy Thomas Park as JD Hulse ascends to the head coaching role after serving as an assistant last season. He inherits a program steeped in consistency, coming off a solid 2025 campaign where the Valdosta State Blazers finished 30-22 overall and secured a second-place finish in the Gulf South Conference with a 22-10 league record. The Blazers have been a staple in the postseason, boasting six straight GSC Tournament appearances and three regional bids since 2019, but they are hunting for their first conference tournament title since 2013. With a roster undergoing significant turnover, returning just 29.9% of its total production, Hulse will look to blend a deep pitching staff with a revamped lineup to keep Valdosta State among the region's elite.

The Offense

The lineup faces the steepest learning curve this fall, returning only 22.8% of last year's plate appearances. Leading the returning corps is senior Easton Hood, who provided a steady bat in the middle of the order. In 135 ABs, hit .341 with 16 doubles, 6 HR, and 22 RBI, proving he can handle the bat at a high level. He is joined by graduate student outfielder Marcos Sevillano, who brings veteran experience to the grass; in 138 ABs, he hit .297 with 8 doubles and 23 RBI last season. Behind the dish, graduate student Will Beckham returns to manage the staff after a season where he hit .215 with 3 doubles and 16 RBI in 107 ABs.

To fill the production void, the Blazers have tapped into the transfer portal with precision. Brent Howard, a senior transfer from Division I Jacksonville, arrives with a proven track record, having hit .282 in 124 at-bats last year and slashing an impressive .347/.456/.568 in 2024. The infield gets a boost from Jason Mack, a junior transfer from Eastern Florida State, who displayed elite discipline by hitting .375 with a .492 OBP and only 16 strikeouts in 187 plate appearances. Another junior college product, Matt Keller from NW Florida State, joins the middle infield competition after hitting .308 in 133 ABs. The outfield also gains a dynamic playmaker in Isaiah Pou, a transfer from Division III Oglethorpe, where he earned Second Team All-SAA honors after slashing .382/.531/.764 with 10 HRs and 15 stolen bases.

The Pitching Staff

The mound is where Valdosta State boasts the most continuity, returning 41% of its innings from 2025. The staff is deeper than the previous year, with six arms currently battling for spots in the starting rotation. Leading the returners is graduate student Drake LaRoche, who was a workhorse last spring, posting a 6-4 record with a 4.61 ERA in 66.1 IP across 14 starts. He is complemented by fellow graduate student Trey Jackson, who made 15 appearances with a 1-2 record and a 6.59 ERA in 27.1 IP, striking out 25 batters.

The bullpen and midweek depth will be supported by Keaton Fuller, who went 0-1 with a 6.11 ERA in 17.2 IP, and Preston Wetherell, who was effective in limited action with a 2.93 ERA in 15.1 IP. A fresh arm to watch is redshirt freshman Ty Macera, who did not pitch last season but figures to be in the mix.

Newcomers will play a pivotal role in fortifying the staff. Garret Moody, a transfer from West Georgia, brings Division I experience, having recorded 7 strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Jack Butler arrives from Georgia Highlands, where he was dominant, posting a 3-0 record with 27 strikeouts to just 4 walks in 25.1 innings. From the left side, Cam Habada joins from Northwest Shoals CC, where he made 17 appearances, logging 48 innings with a 4.13 ERA and 54 strikeouts. A versatile two-way threat, Ryan Strachan, also transfers in from Northwest Shoals CC, boasting a 3.60 ERA over 60 innings in two seasons while also hitting .311.

Notable Departures

The Blazers must overcome the loss of substantial production, headlined by Orlando Pena, the 2025 GSC Player of the Year and a First Team All-South Region selection. Pena was a force, ranking 1st in the conference with 20 home runs and 79 RBI while hitting .344 and has transferred to D1 Jacksonville State. The lineup also loses First Team All-GSC infielder Pedro Moreno, who hit .301 with 20 stolen bases, and Hunter Stowe, an ABCA First Team All-Region selection who hit .343 with 10 homers. On the mound, the team waves goodbye to Hunter Booth, a Second Team All-GSC arm who anchored the rotation with an 8-5 record and 3.27 ERA in 85.1 innings, and reliable lefty Ryan Brown, who posted a stellar 2.18 ERA in 22 appearances.

Schedule & Outlook

The 2026 campaign opens on the road in the Sunshine State, as Valdosta State travels to face Nova Southeastern on January 30th. The Sharks are coming off a 26-22 season, providing an immediate regional test. Early season non-conference play features a challenging trip to Lakeland to face Florida Southern on February 3rd; the Moccasins are a perennial power who hosted a South Regional last year and finished with 38 wins.

In conference play, the Blazers will be tested by the league's heavy hitters. They host Florida Tech for a three-game set beginning February 5th before diving into the GSC grind, starting with Union on February 13th. A marquee home series awaits in late March against Tampa, the defending back-to-back National Champions who dominated with a 55-10 record last year. The schedule also features critical road trips to West Alabama, the reigning GSC Tournament Champions, and West Florida, a team that advanced to the South Super Regional after a 36-win season to close out the regular season. With 28 new players on the roster, the Blazers' ability to gel quickly against this gauntlet of regional heavyweights will determine if they can return to the top of the GSC mountain. If you value this in-depth, non-paywalled coverage of D2 Baseball, please consider supporting our independent reporting efforts. Your contribution helps us continue providing free access to all our articles without relying on restrictive paywalls. To support our work, please visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/diviibaseball