Area Code Alumni Spotlight: Week 3 NCAA Standouts
A closer look at Area Code alumni who are excelling at the highest level of amateur baseball.
Week Three brought another wave of impact performances from Area Code alumni across the country, highlighted by UCLA’s statement weekend against SEC competition and dominant showings across the ACC.
Roch Cholowsky, SS | UCLA
Area Code Team: 2021-2022 Reds & AC Select West
Cholowsky continues to deliver in every moment he’s given. In one of the marquee matchups of the regular season, the junior delivered against an undefeated Mississippi State squad. UCLA was down to its final out in the ninth, down by two runs, before Cholowsky stepped up for his final at-bat. On the first pitch he saw, he launched a 439-foot shot to deep left-center field, tying the game with a two-run homer. It felt inevitable the moment he stepped into the box that the game was about to be tied.
Through 11 games, the No. 1 draft prospect in the country is hitting .375 with a 1.481 OPS, tallying 15 hits, seven home runs and 15 RBI in 40 at-bats. Watch the home run below.
John Paone, RHP | UVA
Area Code Team: 2023 & 2024 Yankees
Freshman right-hander John Paone gave Virginia exactly what they needed out of a Sunday starter, stabilizing the game early and setting the tone in a series-clinching win over VCU.
Paone logged six scoreless innings, scattered six hits and struck out four without any walks. He consistently attacked the strike zone, trusted his stuff in key spots and showing an advanced level of composure for a first-year arm. Even when VCU had runners on, he stayed under control and worked his way out of trouble.
With the victory, Virginia moved to 10-1, and Paone picked up his first collegiate win. For a freshman making just his third start of the season, it was another strong step forward as he continues to ease into his role in UVA’s rotation. Listen to what he had to say on his outing below.
Video by Virginia Baseball
Will Gasparino, CF | UCLA
Area Code Team: 2021 & 2022 Brewers
Will Gasparino stayed scorching hot in Week Three, powering UCLA to a 3-0 weekend against SEC competition in Tennessee, Texas A&M and Mississippi State. The Bruins continued to look every bit like a top-ranked team, and Gasparino was right at the center of it.
Through 11 games, the Los Angeles native is hitting .378 with 10 home runs, 22 RBI and 16 runs scored. He went 5-for-11 this weekend, with four of those hits leaving the yard. Ten home runs in 11 games speaks for itself.
Gasparino credits much of his progress to consistent work on his swing with his father, Billy Gasparino, a longtime Dodgers executive currently serving as Vice President of Baseball Operations after previously leading the club’s amateur scouting department.
Video by FloSports
Tague Davis, 1B | Louisville
Area Code Team: 2022 & 2023 Yankees
Davis is building on the momentum of a stellar freshman season at Louisville. He set the program’s freshman home run record last year and hasn’t slowed down. This spring, he’s slashing .400/.471/.867, showing the same middle-of-the-order presence that made him so dangerous last season.
This weekend against Central Michigan, Davis helped lead a three-game sweep with consistent, timely production. He opened the series with a 3-for-4 performance that included a home run, three RBI and three runs scored. He followed that up with a 2-for-4 outing featuring a double, two RBI, a walk and a stolen base, impacting the game in multiple ways.
Over the three-game stretch, Davis went 5-for-11 with a home run, a double and seven RBIs, reinforcing that his freshman breakout was no fluke.
Fun fact: Davis was the 2023 Area Code Games Home Run Derby Champion. He’s proven to be more than just a 5 o’clock hitter at the next level.
Video by Youth Prospects
Lorenzo Carrier, OF | Pitt
Area Code Team: 2020 Yankees
Lorenzo Carrier played a key role as Pitt improved to 8-2 on the season with a sweep of UNCG this past weekend.
Carrier provided steady production in the middle of the order. He went 6-for-11 this weekend, driving in a team-high eight runs while adding two doubles and a home run. He consistently delivered when runners with runners on, giving the Panthers a reliable bat in the heart of the lineup.
Team Highlight: Wake Forest
Wake Forest continued its dominant start, improving to 11-1 on the season and extending its winning streak to 11 straight games with another complete weekend performance.
Sophomore Dalton Wentz led the charge offensively, extending his hit streak to five games while going 9-for-16 (.562) with three doubles, a home run and six RBI. Matt Conte (So.) launched a three-run homer to clinch a run-rule victory to cap off a productive series at the plate.
The pitching staff was equally overpowering. Blake Morningstar (Jr.) set the tone with seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and two walks while striking out nine.
Chris Levonas (So.) delivered one of the most dominant outings of the weekend striking out 14 hitters over six hitless innings, without walking any batters. Watch below.
Video by Wake Forest Baseball
With elite run production and pitching, the Deacs continue to look like one of the most complete teams in the country.
Players Mentioned
Dalton Wentz, 2022 & 2023 Nationals
Matt Conte, 2022 & 2023 Yankees
Blake Morningstar, 2021 & 2022 Yankees
Chris Levonas, 2023 Yankees
Thank you
Stay tuned for more Area Code Baseball updates as the college season unfolds. Thank you for your continued support.