University's Brance McCune named OVAC 5A baseball Player of the Year
MORGANTOWN – University High School outfielder Brance McCune was announced as the recipient of the 2025 OVAC 5A Player of the Year award over the weekend after a strong senior campaign for the Hawks.
McCune is the second University player to hold the honor in four years, as former third baseman Aaron Forbes did so in 2022.
The University graduate and Bethany College signee was a crucial piece of the puzzle for UHS this season in all phases of the game.
McCune averaged an outstanding .454 at the plate, tallying 44 hits in 97 at-bats. Ten of those hits came for extra bases (seven 2B and three 3B) with 18 RBI, 26 runs, and 17 walks, only striking out eight times all season. He held a .534 on-base percentage, stealing 14 bases. He was also errorless defensively in the outfield.
For Brance, this season was all about having confidence in himself.
'Honestly, I was a little surprised when I first heard the news,' McCune said. 'I had confidence in myself this season and once I got settled in, just tried to go out there and make an impact for my team every chance I could. Having a good season and being recognized for the work you put in is the best part.'
McCune earned at least one hit in 26 of the Hawks' 31 games this season with separate hitting streaks of nine and ten games. During his nine-game hitting streak between April 11 and April 28, seven of those games were multi-hit ones.
His effort offensively during the second half of the schedule was key for the Hawks, as they saw themselves sitting 6-10 after a 4-0 loss to George Washington in the Mon County Classic.
But UHS turned its season around, finishing 11-4 after the loss to GW. McCune earned 27 of his 44 hits, scored 17 runs, stole eight bases, and struck out only twice during the final 15 games.
'I think that weekend (Mon County Classic) we really showed ourselves what we could do,' he said. 'We realized we had to turn something around to make the most of the rest of the season and finish strong.'
McCune is a four-year varsity player for UHS and credits his early years as an underclassman for shaping the work ethic he has as a senior. He made the trip to Charleston as the Hawks won the Region I championship in 2023.
'Sophomore year is definitely one of those that I point to as a year that changed my game,' he said. 'Being around that senior class and group of guys, they really pushed me to be a better player and set me up to learn how I could excel going forward while continuing to improve my game.'
Brance says one thing he will take away from his time at UHS is the way he learned to be a good teammate and how a positive environment helps him become a better player.
'Being around a bunch of guys and making those bonds, that's something I'll take with me,' he said. 'I feel like that's something I'll be focusing on a lot at the next level.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
AFL world reacts amid brutal news about Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton
Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton has lifted the lid on some of the debilitating effects of his AFL career, revealing he struggles to walk down stairs and needs his partner to put his shoes and socks on for him. Brereton played 211 games (189 for the Hawks) across a legendary career, winning five AFL/VFL premierships. He's an AFL and Hawthorn Hall of Fame member, and has become a popular commentator and analyst since retiring. But speaking at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, the 60-year-old opened up about what life is like due to his career. As reported by , Brereton said he struggles to sleep some nights due to chronic shoulder pain, and has been forced to take anti-inflammatories for the better part of 40 years. 'Some mornings my beautiful partner Julie has to put on my shoes and socks for me," he said in his 'Toast to Football' speech at the annual Norm Smith Oration. "With the pain in my spine, where they put in a cage inserted there, I can't reach. I just can't put on socks and shoes. 'Some days I have to walk down the stairs sideways because I haven't any cartilage – bone on bone, that is – for 40 years. Some days I can't shake hands with other men, and if they do so, I fear they'll re-open some of the broken bones in my hands from defenders' spoils and from when [an opponent] jumped on my hand deliberately. Some days I have to crab my way down the stairs because my often half-a-dozen times reconstructed ankle will not flex any more.' Brereton recounted many of the battles he had with opposition defenders during a brutal era of hard-nosed footy. 'Some nights I sleep very little because of the arthritis in my shoulder joints. That's from decades of lifting as heavy weights as I could, purely because the position I played required it," he said. Brutally, he revealed he sometimes questions whether his career was worth the price he's now paying. But he always lands on the same answer. 'I often ask myself, in that moment of true misery, when I can't move, that moment of weakness, I'll ask myself – was it worth it?" he admitted. 'And the answer's always the same. I'd do it all over again, exactly the same again. Maybe next time, though in the next lifetime, I might go a little harder. '[It gave me] a lifetime of employment, it's given me a small dose of fame, occasionally given me romance. It has given me great friendships. It's given me my life's greatest mentor – Allan (Jeans, his Hawthorn coach). And it has given me a purpose. But it's also taken away something very dear to me.' AFL fans were stunned to learn of Brereton's plight, taking to social media with messages of support. Journalist Jake Niall said the revelations "should concern the AFL and past and current players." One fan wrote: "Good for him to speak out so others understand. Some things like that can be far too embarrassing to share. Particularly someone with Dermie's hardened image." RELATED: Hawthorn teammate's brutal public response to Jack Ginnivan act Sam Mitchell goes public with sad news about former teammate It comes after the son of Brereton's partner Julie was recently picked up by Essendon in the AFL's mid-season draft. Archie May, a 198cm-tall forward from WAFL club Subiaco, went to the Bombers despite Collingwood fans hoping to snare him. May had previously revealed how Brereton has helped with his development. "Obviously it's a lot of hard work and sacrifices that go into the journey. I think it's about proving the people close to me right," he said of his mother's partner. "Dermott has been massive in my development. Especially in the last few years as I took football more seriously." Good for him to speak out so others understand. Some things like that can be far too embarrassing to share. Particularly someone with Dermies hardened image. — 'Chickenhead' 👌👨🌾🧑🍳🥷🕵️♂️🐣🐤🐔🐓🌏🌕🔥🐎 (@Jimali1111) June 6, 2025 That's what afl players (professional players of any sport) give up to live the good life, their body. It's the cost of living the good life, getting paid really good money and opening up a lot of doors in life. Of course your body is going to be minced playing 10+ years of footy — Harry grant (@happyharrygrant) June 6, 2025
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Southern Miss baseball coach Christian Ostrander breaks down season-ending loss to Miami
WATCH: Cooper Maher fans the final batter to beat Cumberland as the Hawks take Game 1 Bishop Hendricken takes Game 1 of the Division I baseball championship series, 4-3, over Cumberland on June 5. Game 2 is Sunday. 0:27 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Bill Belichick's Girlfriend's 'Presence' At UNC Has Reportedly Left GM Michael Lombardi 'Deeply Concerned'
New details have surfaced regarding concerns surrounding Jordon Hudson's involvement in her boyfriend Bill Belichick's career. The duo recently made headlines over their disastrous CBS interview and has continued to garner negative traction since then. Advertisement Now, an ex-ESPN analyst, Pablo Torre, has claimed that the general manager of the University of North Carolina football team, which Bill Belichick coaches, is "deeply concerned" about Jordon Hudson. Pablo Torre Claims UNC GM Is 'Deeply Concerned' About The Veteran Coach's GF Instagram | Jordon Hudson After making previous reports on the Belichick-Hudson saga, journalist Pablo Torre recently claimed that UNC higher-ups have been losing sleep over the idea of the former cheerleader being anywhere near the team as they gear up for the upcoming season. "What if I told you that [Belichick's] inner circle of actual coaches on staff, including a certain Mike Lombardi, is deeply concerned about Jordon Hudson and her presence in the building?" said Torre during a Tuesday appearance on Bill Simmons' podcast, per the New York Post. Advertisement Torre later followed up with a question about whether Simmons had communicated with Lombardi about the situation, given that they share a relationship. "Bill, surely you've communicated with Lombardi about this. So, what has he said?" Torre inquired. However, Simmons, seemingly desiring not to further fuel the narrative, chose not to address the question. Still, that didn't stop Torre from continuing to speculate that Hudson's romance with Belichick may have begun long before the public ever caught wind of it. He noted that the former cheerleader attended a 2021 Patriots game and even sat in Belichick's personal section. That appearance came the same year the pair reportedly met on a flight from New York to Palm Beach. The Former ESPN Analyst Previously Reported That Jordon Hudson Was Banned From UNC Facilities Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson looking at each other (Instagram | Jordon Hudson) Torre's comments come after his earlier report about Hudson being persona non grata at the UNC athletics facility. Advertisement The former ESPN analyst claimed that the order was issued amid the fallout from Belichick's disastrous "CBS Sunday Morning" interview. However, the news was quickly shut down by North Carolina in a statement, where they also confirmed the nature of Hudson's involvement in Belichick's career. "While Jordon Hudson is not an employee at the University or Carolina Athletics, she is welcome to the Carolina Football facilities," the statement read, per The Blast. "Jordon will continue to manage all activities related to Coach Belichick's personal brand outside of his responsibilities for Carolina Football and the University." Pablo Torre Doubled Down On His Claim Despite UNC's Denial Bill Belichick on the NFL field (MEGA) After UNC denied banning Hudson, Torre released a statement reiterating the claim he made. Advertisement "The University of North Carolina can choose to describe or change its position on Jordon Hudson's involvement, however it wishes," Torre said, per the New York Post. "We requested comments and filed dozens of FOIA requests that were not satisfied. And we stand by the specific reporting, which came from the highest levels of the football program." Later on, he took to X to echo similar sentiments while quoting a comment from a netizen. "We broke the news of an important meeting where UNC higher-ups told the football program that Jordon Hudson can't be around the facility anymore," Torre penned on the platform at the time. "Many people around the team heard that message very clearly. You can decide who to trust, in terms of how the PR spin goes from here." The Journalist Previously Reported That Bill Belichick's Family Was Digging Into His Girlfriend Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson smiling (Instagram | Jordon Hudson) As part of his earlier reporting about Hudson, Torre claimed that he had spoken with nearly a dozen individuals who knew Hudson before he came to the conclusion that she was trying to control Belichick's career to further her own. Advertisement At the time, he also shared that Belichick's family is concerned and digging into Hudson as her relationship with the veteran coach continues to blossom. "There is deep worry for how detrimental Jordon can be for not just North Carolina but Bill's legacy, reputation — everything he has built and worked for over decades," a source close to the family told Torre. Seemingly responding to the claim, an X account possibly belonging to Hudson commented "#scapeGOAT," under The New York Post's story that carried the news. The account has also reposted multiple comments criticizing Torre's reporting in the wake of his continued attack on Hudson. Bill Belichick And Jordon Hudson Are 'Thriving In People's Jealousy' Of Them Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson (Instagram | Jordon Hudson) Despite the heavy backlash against Belichick and Hudson, the duo is reportedly not letting it impact their romance in any way. Advertisement According to a source who spoke with the Daily Mail, the constant criticism they have received "acts as a fuel for their relationship and makes them even more in love." In fact, the pair is said to be "thriving in people's jealousy," a reaction that has surprised many of their detractors. "They both have hit the lottery and are all about each other, and they both feel that they make each other better," the insider added. Speaking further about the lovebirds, the source said that it has become a thing for people to "pounce" on them if there is any "type of misfortune that comes their way." And while their public images seem to be in the mud, the couple is still "happy" and in "love."
