The 2017 National Signing Day occurred on Feb. 1, and while Trinity Christian Academy continues to have numerous football players sign with major colleges, TCA’s baseball program has grown immensely over the past several years under coach Gil Morales. This year, seven TCA seniors signed scholarships to play college baseball: K.C. Isenberg, Cameron Jones, A.J. Labas, Austin Martin, Logan Nugent, Chad Ragland, and Dalton Terrell.
In the Game interviewed each player about his scholarship and what it meant to play baseball for Trinity Christian.
K.C. Isenberg, 18, Catcher
Hillsborough Community College; Tampa, Florida
Head Coach: Mike Wrenn
Kenneth Charles Isenberg is, at the time of his signing, still working out the details of his scholarship offer with Hillsborough. Isenberg stopped looking for other offers once Hillsborough reached out to him because he “felt at home” after visits to the school and decided early in the process that Hillsborough is the college for him.
Isenberg likes the school’s location, its proximity to his home (just a few hours away), and the educational opportunities the school provides.
Isenberg transferred to Trinity Christian as a freshman, and he fit in immediately on the field and in the classroom.
“I love the school and the teachers,” he said.
He made an instant impact on Morales both behind the plate and in the batter’s box. Isenberg was the JV catcher as a freshman and sophomore, but he got reps with the varsity at the same time. He shared the varsity starting duties as a junior and is this year’s No. 1 catcher as a senior.
Isenberg claimed the 2015 Class 4A state championship (as a sophomore) as his biggest success. Playing varsity while younger and becoming the starter this year is his biggest personal success.
Isenberg played travel baseball all over Florida and in some parts of Georgia, most notably with Chain National. He thanked his parents (Chuck and Vanessa), his brothers (Tyler and Josh), and all his coaches and teammates over the years for his success.
Cameron Jones, 17, Pitcher
USC Sumter; Sumter, South Carolina
Head Coach: Tim Medlin
Cameron Jones received a scholarship that will cover 62 percent of his tuition. He received a full-tuition scholarship offer from Florida State College of Jacksonville and walk-on offers from the University of North Florida (Jacksonville) and UNC Asheville. He chose USC Sumter for “the best opportunity with playing time” and the lower expense to attend college. He also likes the program under coach Tim Medlin. Jones feels more comfortable with the small-town atmosphere in a beautiful state.
Jones transferred to Trinity as a senior, and he is glad he did.
“I really like the school, and the baseball program is outstanding,” Jones said. “The coaches and players are great.”
Jones was not on the 2015 champion Conquerors, but he hopes to win the title as a senior. Signing the college scholarship is his biggest claim of personal success.
Jones played baseball for Baker County High School for three years and Coastal Prospects outside of school ball.
“Coastal Prospects gave me good experience with playing time and facing strong competition,” \ Jones said.
Jones has numerous people to thank, No. 1 being God. Jones included his parents for getting him into baseball and into Trinity. He also thanked Morales, assistant coach Alonzo Wright, and coaches Corsi and Figg for their tremendous support, contacts with colleges, and skill development as a pitcher.
A.J. Labas, 18, RHP
University of North Florida; Jacksonville, Florida
Head Coach: Smoke Laval
A.J. Labas received a full-tuition scholarship to pitch for the Ospreys of the University of North Florida. He had a similar offer from the University of Central Florida, but he chose UNF because he felt more of a sense of family when he visited with coach Smoke Laval and the team. The coaches and the small-college atmosphere seemed more inviting. Labas also likes UNF’s educational reputation, and it offers his choice of major: sports management.
Labas attended Trinity for the past three years beginning as a sophomore. He likes the school and senses that the teachers genuinely care for their students’ success in both school and sports. Labas liked Morales from the moment they met.
“He (Morales) makes it seem like one big family on and off the field,” Labas said.
Labas defined team success as “never letting anything get to us” and simply winning “one game at a time.” Personally, Labas feels he has helped the team win games and a state title as much as anyone else has.
Labas continually played showcase baseball, including MLB’s East Coast Pro at the New York Yankees training complex in Tampa, Florida, in 2016. Pitching in front of scouts led to his scholarship because college coaches are more available to attend the showcases more so than high school games.
Labas thanked his family and all his coaches for making him “the baseball player and the person I am today.”
Austin Martin, 17, Shortstop
Vanderbilt University; Nashville, Tennessee
Head Coach: Tim Corbin
The biggest signing of all goes to shortstop Austin Martin. Known as “Amar,” Martin called the offer from coach Tim Corbin “a very generous offer – one that I couldn’t pass on.” Martin had previously selected Jacksonville University as a junior, but he felt that Vanderbilt was much more of a fit for him personally as he will play in the top-notch NCAA Division I Southeastern Conference.
Austin likes the Vanderbilt campus, but he sees the educational aspects of it even more clearly.
“An opportunity to receive a degree from Vanderbilt is priceless,” he said.
He will also get much exposure to Major League scouts, which Morales said is a certain future opportunity for the shortstop, who is a defensive whiz and a power threat at the plate.
Martin transferred to Trinity as a sophomore and called his experience “life-changing” as he has grown spiritually as well as athletically and academically.
Martin was on the state championship team as a sophomore and credited all involved.
“The coaches and players on that team worked as a family,” he said. “We pushed each other to do our best. It made me a harder worker and better player.”
In addition to Trinity baseball, Martin also played on the USA National Team and several travel teams, calling both experiences an honor.
Martin thanked his parents, Morales and all assistant coaches, his siblings, and his teammates for his success. First, though, he gives all glory to God.
Logan Nugent, 17, Outfielder
USC Sumter; Sumter, South Carolina
Head Coach: Tim Medlin
Logan Nugent described his offer from USC Sumter as a solid offer that allows him to play baseball while earning a valuable education. It was his only offer, but he knew right away that it was right for him.
“It is a great location and close enough for my family to come and watch me play,” Nugent said.
Nugent transferred to Trinity as a freshman and called the experience “great.”
“The baseball program was the best I could ever imagine,” Nugent said.
He claimed the 2015 championship as the best team success and the 2016 regional final appearance as second best. He also participated at National High School Invitational in 2016 with the Conquerors.
Nugent played baseball with numerous travel organizations, most notably with the Orlando Scorpions. He credited and thanked his parents, family, coaches, and friends for his success and support both on and off the field.
Chad Ragland, 18, Outfielder/LHP.
Tallahassee Community College; Tallahassee, Florida
Head Coach: Mike McLeod.
Chad Ragland knew he needed to search no further when coach Mike McLeod offered him a strong offer to play baseball in Tallahassee, Florida. Ragland received an offer from Medlin to join his friends Jones, Nugent, and Dalton Terrell (below) at USC Sumter, but Ragland chose Tallahassee Community College because he felt that the school’s atmosphere and location are more suited to him.
Ragland came to Trinity as a sophomore, and he quickly learned to love both the school and the baseball program. The team won it all in Ragland’s sophomore year when he played for both the varsity and JV teams. His growth as a player and a Christian is his biggest personal success.
Ragland played baseball for Stanton College Preparatory School in Jacksonville as a freshman, but he credited his time at Trinity and the knowledgeable Conquerors coaching staff as his biggest influences that led to his scholarship.
“I would like to thank my family, coaches, and – most importantly – God for helping me along this journey,” Ragland said.
Dalton Terrell, 18, RHP
USC Sumter; Sumter, South Carolina
Head Coach: Tim Medlin
Dalton Terrell called his scholarship from USC Sumter “one I couldn’t refuse” when Medlin presented him with the offer. Terrell did not need to search anymore. He chose USC Sumter because “it is one of the best junior college baseball programs in the country, and it is a great opportunity to develop as a player.”
“The location is what really got me,” Terrell said. “It is not too far from home, and it is fairly close to USC.”
Terrell started at Trinity in fifth grade, and he has “loved every second of it.”
“I am one of the few guys that has seen the program grow into the powerhouse it has become, and it’s actually going to get better,” he said.
In eighth grade, Terrell pitched a complete-game seven-inning no-hitter as a member of the junior high Conquerors.
Terrell called Trinity’s success “one like no other” with players competing with each other for playing time having become best of friends.
“My personal success has everything to do with my team,” he said. “I thank them for always having my back.”
Terrell played with Nugent on the Orlando Scorpions against some of the country’s best competition. He claimed this experience as a great contributor to his growth as a player.
Terrell thanked coaches Morales and Wright for contacting several colleges and pushing him toward success.
“Coach always believed in me, and I am forever grateful for that,” Terrell said.
More Talent Waiting
The Conquerors have even more talented players in lower grades waiting to sign their letters, including three who have already given their verbal commitments, most notably pitcher Dylan Simmons (sophomore, Florida State University), pitcher Austin Thomas (sophomore, University of Miami, Florida), and pitcher/infielder Tyler Isenberg (junior, University of Arkansas, brother of K.C. Isenberg). The team won it all in 2015 and came close last year. The 2017 Conquerors look to bring home another state championship, and with this roster they have a fantastic opportunity to do just that.
Trinity Christian Academy: Seven Seniors Sign College Scholarships
Written by: Raymond Bureau
