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Dominion Post
2 days ago
- General
- Dominion Post
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.'
Dominion Post
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Dominion Post
University softball poised to defend state championship, battles Jefferson in Game 1
MORGANTOWN – After claiming their first-ever state title last spring, the University High School softball team is eyeing another milestone: becoming the inaugural Class AAAA state champion. Ranked sixth in the latest MetroNews Coaches Poll, the Hawks enter the tournament with a 3-2 record against fellow state qualifiers. 'We'll go down there and make a strong showing again,' UHS head coach Mindy Parks said. 'I really believe that. This team has it all the way through.' The Hawks boast a potent offense, averaging 7.8 runs per game, while their defense holds opponents to just 2.1 runs per contest. Senior Olivia Masoner anchors the lineup with a team-best .500 batting average, recording 42 hits in 84 at-bats. Maddie Campbell has been the Hawks' all-around standout, leading in home runs (6), runs scored (37), and RBIs (36). Campbell also dominates in the circle with a team-leading 1.49 ERA. University heads into the postseason with confidence, having swept regional rival Morgantown in two tightly contested matchups, 4-3 and 2-0. UHS will face off against Jefferson in Game 1 on Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Little Creek Park in South Charleston. The Hawks split a pair of contests with the Cougars during the regular season in Morgantown in the Mon County Classic. Jefferson won the first game 5-0 before the Hawks avenged the defeat 24 hours later, 3-2. One Significant difference for UHS this year is the presence of Masoner on the field at the state tournament, as she was sidelined with an injury last May. Despite not playing, she still called all of the pitches for her pitchers, Campbell and Sophia Lehosit. 'Olivia does a really great job calling pitches,' Lehosit said. 'Maddie and I have full trust in her. Her calling pitches is kind of routine for us now.' 'She knows these girls. She's grown up with them since they were little,' Parks added of Masoner. 'Just having that relationship, more than anything, it starts with the friendships and relationships. They know each other so well.' Another massive difference for Parks and her team this season is that they've been here before, having captured their first title last season. Having that confidence can make all the difference as the Hawks aim to make a statement from the opening pitch. 'It was so new to us last year, and we didn't know what we were walking into,' Parks said. 'We just wanted to get there, but once we got there, we wanted to win. Again, we want to do more than just show up.'
