Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) is turning heads in Division I (D1) baseball just one weekend into the season. With a strong pipeline of talent transitioning from junior college to major programs, BPCC alumni are making significant contributions across the country.
Twelve former Cavaliers appeared in Division I contests during opening weekend, with nine recording base hits and three pitchers logging innings on the mound. Notably, all six position players from last year’s Region 14 Conference Championship team earned starting nods and collected hits in their opening series, showcasing the depth and quality of BPCC’s recent rosters.
McNeese Cowboys Shine with BPCC Influence
McNeese State University has emerged as a hotbed for BPCC talent, with several alumni delivering standout performances right out of the gate.
• Garret Blanchard (Loreauville, LA): Last season’s Region 14 Pitcher of the Year, Blanchard made a remarkable comeback from Tommy John surgery. He’s already back on the mound for the Cowboys, proving his resilience and skill in the early going.
• Hayden Stringfellow (Boerne, TX): Stringfellow has started the season on fire, racking up eight hits in the first four games. His highlights include a walk-off single on opening night against Sam Houston.
• DJ Pinkerton (Pflugerville, TX): Pinkerton added power to the lineup with two doubles during the opening series.
• Jaden Bahl (Pflugerville, TX): On the pitching side, Bahl has been reliable, tossing five innings across the first four games.
• Cam Williams (Pflugerville, TX): Williams was a valuable pitcher on last year’s team and will redshirt this year at Mcneese due to a shoulder injury.
Standouts at Other D1 Programs
BPCC’s impact extends beyond McNeese, with alumni excelling at universities from coast to coast.
• Dylan Biddick (Lafayette, LA) - University of New Orleans: A runner-up for Region 14 Offensive Player of the Year last season, Biddick has picked up where he left off. He’s tallied eight hits in four games, including a home run, bolstering the Privateers’ offense.
• Parker Gwyn (Lafayette, LA) - University of Central Arkansas: A two-time all-conference selection for the Cavaliers, Gwyn has made his presence felt with five hits against ULM in the opening weekend series.
• Jacob Gillis (Fergus, Canada) - Ball State University: A first-team all-conference selection on last year’s BPCC squad, Gillis has started three games for the Cardinals while picking up a hit and drawing three walks.
• Zander Bretza (Santa Ana, CA) - Ball State University: As the closer on BPCC’s conference championship team, Bretza threw two innings in the opening weekend, bringing his shutdown stuff to the D1 level.
• Tyrus Hall (Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) - West Virginia University: Hall has been a fixture in the Mountaineers’ lineup, starting all three games and collecting three hits to kick off his D1 career.
• Emil Estrella (Santiago, Dominican Republic) - Indiana State University: A two-year BPCC veteran (2023-2024), Estrella is in his second season with the Sycamores. He’s off to a hot start with six hits and three doubles, including a pair against powerhouse Miami.
• Kam Edwards (Lake Charles, LA) - Lindenwood University: After stints at BPCC in 2022 and 2023, Edwards has become a three-year starter for the Lions, earning all-conference honors last season. He added three hits in the opening weekend.
• Connor Crowson (Okotoks, Canada) - Tennessee Tech University: Crowson, who last played for BPCC in 2022 & 2023, notched four hits against Texas A&M in the opening series, contributing to the Golden Eagles’ efforts.
BPCC’s Reach Extends to D2
While the spotlight is on D1, BPCC’s influence isn’t limited there. Several players from last year’s conference championship team are making waves at the NCAA Division II (D2) level:
• Reid Wilson (Shreveport, LA) - Southwestern Oklahoma State University
• Bennett Mittlesteadt (Lafayette, LA) - Southern Arkansas University
• Jake Guidry (Lafayette, LA) - Southern Arkansas University
• Jake Skelly (Houston, TX) - University of Arkansas at Monticello
These early-season performances underscore BPCC’s role as a premier junior college program, developing players who thrive at higher levels. As the season progresses, expect more highlights from these alumni as they continue to build on their strong foundations from Bossier Parish.