Eagles Moving On: Six committed to four-year schools
RALEIGH, NC – Six members of the 2024 Wake Tech baseball team have committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at four-year institutions. While these six players have already announced their commitments, other sophomores from the 2024 team are still exploring their options ahead of the 2024/25 academic year.
#10 Sawyer Smith (RHP) – Thomas University (Thomasville, GA)
Smith, a Norwood, NC native, appeared in 27 games throughout his time at Wake Tech and made 19 starts on the mound.
He solidified himself as the Eagles' top starter during the 2024 season, going 6-2 with a 3.91 ERA, and leading Region 10 in strikeouts (73). His efforts earned him second-team All-Region 10 honors.
Smith will now join the pitching staff at Thomas University, in Thomasville, Georgia. The Nighthawks compete in the Southern States Athletic Conference.
#33 Patch Lyman (LHP) – University of Charleston (Charleston, WV)
Lyman has been a go-to bullpen arm for Wake Tech in each of the last two seasons. The lefty finishes his time at Wake Tech with 37.1 innings pitched over 22 appearances, recording 40 strikeouts.
Now he heads to Charleston to join the reigning Mountain East Conference champions.
#14 Aidan Cannaday (OF) – Augusta University (Augusta, GA)
Cannaday transferred to Wake Tech ahead of his sophomore season and established himself as a middle-of-the-order bat, getting most of his time in right field. He recorded six home runs, 26 RBI, and slashed .288/.396/.477 in 2024.
During a five-game winning streak at the beginning of April, the Fuquay-Varina native was one of the team's biggest contributors, going 11-for-21 at the plate, hitting two home runs, and tallying 12 RBI.
Now Cannaday will join the Jaguars of Augusta University, who compete in the Peach Belt Conference.
#20 Jason Jelic (C) – Xavier University (Cincinnati, OH)
Jelic received first-team All-Region 10 honors for his stellar sophomore season performance as the Eagles' backstop. He was tied for the team lead in home runs (13) with Kaden Smith, setting a new single season program record. He had three multi-homer games, including a four-homer day in a doubleheader at Guilford Tech on February 24.
The Chapel Hill native played in all 49 of the team's games, slotting in as the DH when he needed a break behind the plate. Now he heads to the Big East, where he'll join a Xavier team that most recently made the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
#28 Andrew Holub (IF) – University of Iowa (Iowa City, IA)
Holub etched his name into the Wake Tech baseball record books after a stellar 2024 sophomore campaign. He set new single season program records for runs (65), hits (77), RBI (56), batting average (.433), and total bases (129). He led all Region 10 DII players in batting average, finishing the season 19th nationally.
Holub will now take his talents to the Big 10 and join the Iowa Hawkeyes, another ball club that made the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
#16 Kaden Smith (IF) – Charleston Southern University (North Charleston, SC)
Smith was another first-team All-Region 10 honoree for the Eagles in 2024. After transferring from UNC Asheville, Smith played a huge role in the team's record-breaking offensive season. He tied Jason Jelic with the team lead in home runs (13), setting a new program record. He is also one of just three players in program history with a 50-RBI season.
When Smith was hot at the plate, he was one of the most dangerous hitters in the region. He recorded three separate four-hit games and in a doubleheader against Guilford Tech on April 6 he hit two home runs, tallied eight RBI, and went 6-for-10.
The Eagles first baseman and Burlington, NC native will now take his talents to Charleston Southern to play for the Buccaneers.