Professional transitions
Three former Gardner-Webb University standouts have taken the next step in their baseball careers, signing contracts that will see them compete in different professional circuits this season.
Merik Carter, who previously dazzled as a hitter for the Runnin' Bulldogs, now suits up for the Cleburne Railroaders of the American Association. In eight games he has collected 11 hits, among them a home run on his very first at‑bat, and he carries a batting line of .458/.618/.750 with four doubles and five RBIs.
Zack Thompson has become a regular in the West Virginia Black Bears of the MLB Draft League, where he is batting .380 and has added eight doubles, a triple and three home runs in 92 at‑bats. His on‑base percentage sits at .437 and his slugging percentage at .587, while he has driven in 17 runs and amassed 35 hits over 24 games.
Pitcher Josh Gentile, another alumnus of the Bulldogs, has signed with the State College Spikes in the same draft league and made an immediate impact, delivering two scoreless innings with three strikeouts in his latest appearance.
Their moves underscore the growing pipeline from Gardner‑Webb to professional baseball, a program that has steadily produced talent capable of competing at higher levels.