Central Penn College Knights Conclude Historic Baseball Season with National Tournament Appearance, Numerous Accolades, and State Capitol Recognition

The Central Penn College Knights baseball team concluded a landmark 2025 season, highlighted by their first appearance in the USCAA National Small College World Series since 2017 and a host of individual and team achievements. In recognition of their outstanding season, the Knights will be visiting the Pennsylvania State Capitol on June 11th, where they will be honored by Pennsylvania State Representative Nate Davidson.

Earning the #8 seed, the Knights proudly represented the Eastern States Athletic Conference (ESAC) in DuBois, Pennsylvania, after securing their third consecutive ESAC Championship. The Knights began their national tournament campaign with a decisive 12-6 victory over Central Maine Community College. Offensive power was on full display with key home runs from Nic Joseph and Gabe Kaufman, setting a strong tone for their World Series run. In their second game, Central Penn faced the tournament’s top seed, Penn State Mont Alto, in a tightly contested battle. Despite a valiant effort that kept the pressure on until the final out, the Knights narrowly fell 5-4. Their tournament journey concluded on Day 3 with a loss to USCAA Division I opponent Mid-Atlantic Christian. While the result ended their World Series aspirations, the Knights departed with a profound sense of accomplishment, having competed fiercely in one of small college baseball’s most competitive tournaments.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Head Coach Chaz Stevens stated, “This was an incredible experience for our guys. Competing at the national level, winning our first game, and going toe-to-toe with the #1 seed showed how far we’ve come. It’s something we’re going to build on heading into next season.”

The 2025 season stands as one of the most successful in the program’s history. Central Penn College achieved the most wins in a single season, clinched their third straight ESAC Championship, and earned a coveted berth in the USCAA Small College World Series.

The Knights’ dedication extended beyond the field, with numerous players recognized for their academic and athletic excellence:

1st Team All ESAC Conference

• David Thomas – OF (So)
• Cameron Smiley – P/Utility (Jr)
• Owen Zell – 2B (Sr)
• Gabe Kaufman – OF/2B (Jr)

2nd TEAM All ESAC Conference

• Tanner McCoy – 1B (So)
• Nic Joseph – OF (So)
• Wyatt Koser – P (Jr)

ESAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR: David Thomas

ESAC COACH OF THE YEAR: Chaz Stevens, Central Penn College

2025 USCAA Academic All-Americans:

• Brady Park
• Kyle Brent
• Tanner Boyd
• Cameron Smiley
• Samuel Royer
• Terrell Smith-Cole
• David Thomas
• Owen Zell
• Brian Lowen
• Tanner McCoy

2025 USCAA All-Americans:

• David Thomas (1st Team All-American)
• Tanner McCoy (Honorable Mention All-American)

More than the statistics and accolades, the 2025 Central Penn College Knights forged an enduring bond through perseverance, hard work, and unforgettable moments on the diamond. As the team looks toward the future, the program is poised for continued success.