Area Code Alumni Spotlight: Week 4 NCAA Standouts and More
A closer look at Area Code alumni who are excelling at the highest level of amateur baseball and more.
This past week brought another exciting week of baseball with more MLB spring training games, Week 4 of college baseball, and the first round of the World Baseball Classic. In this edition, we will be covering the performances all throughout baseball that from Area Code Alumni in various levels of the game.
NCAA Top Performers
The best Area Code Alumni from Week 4 of college baseball
Wylan Moss | UCLA
UCLA sophomore Wylan Moss has taken a major step forward on the mound to start the 2026 season. Through his first five appearances, the Tustin (CA) native owns a 0.60 ERA across 15.0 innings, allowing just six hits and one run while striking out 24 and walking one, while holding opponents to a .128 batting average. Moss is building off a strong freshman campaign in 2025, when he posted a 2.98 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 48.1 innings and earned Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.
Moss played for the Brewers in the 2023 Area Code Games.
Angel Laya | Oregon
Oregon freshman Angel Laya has been one of the most productive newcomers in the country to start the 2026 season. Through his first 15 games, the San Diego native is hitting .370 with a .443 OBP and .778 slugging, launching six home runs with 19 RBI while helping the Ducks to a strong start. Laya recently earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for the second time, highlighted by a series at Purdue where he hit .364 with a 1.409 OPS and two home runs, including a four-hit performance with two long balls in the finale.
Laya played for the Brewers in the 2023 & 2024 Area Code Games.
Lorenzo Carrier | Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh outfielder Lorenzo Carrier put together one of the most explosive offensive weeks in the country, going 13-for-15 with five home runs, two triples, a double, and 19 RBIs as the Panthers pushed their winning streak to eight games. The redshirt senior from Bear, Delaware was earned D1Baseball National Player of the Week. Carrier has been a driving force in Pitt’s hot start, hitting .490 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs through his first 14 games.
Carrier played for the Yankees in the 2020 Area Code Games.
TP Wentworth | Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State sophomore TP Wentworth turned in a standout performance this weekend against Gardner-Webb, going 5-for-12 with a home run and three doubles to help power the Cowboys offensively. The Clemson transfer continues to provide value as a two-way, adding a scoreless inning in relief during the series.
Wentworth played for the Athletics in the 2023 Area Code Games.
Team Spotlight: Texas
Texas has emerged as one of the most dominant teams in college baseball early in the 2026 season, jumping out to a 15-0 record .The Longhorns have controlled games in nearly every aspect, combining high-powered offense with reliable pitching and solid defense.
At the plate, Texas has been one of the most productive lineups in the country. Through the first 15 games, the Longhorns are hitting .337 as a team with a 1.033 OPS, piling up 164 hits, 26 home runs, and 147 runs scored. Their lineup has also created pressure on the bases with 29 stolen bases. Over the past five games alone, Texas has scored at least 10 runs.
The pitching staff has been equally effective. Texas arms have posted a 2.30 team ERA and 1.02 WHIP, allowing only 36 total runs while striking out 171 hitters across 125 innings. Right-hander Ruger Riojas has been one of the early standouts, starting the year 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA, while Dylan Volantis has continued to be a reliable weapon on the mound with a 2-0 record and a 1.54 ERA.
With a deep lineup, strong starting pitching, and an aggressive approach on the bases, Texas has positioned itself among the nation’s top teams as SEC conference play starts this weekend.
Area Code Alumni on the Texas roster
Anthony Pack Jr., 2023 & 2024 Brewers
Ethan Mendoza, 2022 Rangers
Presley Courville, 2021 & 2022 Nationals
Grady Westphal, 2023 & 2024 White Sox
Kaleb Rogers, 2024 MLB Breakthrough Series
Casey Borba, 2022 Brewers
Ashton Larson, 2022 Nationals
Brody Walls, 2023 & 2024 Rangers
Brett Crossland, 2023 & 2024 Reds
Team Spotlight: USC
USC has opened the 2026 season on a historic run, starting 15-0 (3-0 Big Ten) and tying the best start in program history, matching the 1988 Trojans. The early success has been driven largely by dominant pitching and consistent run production on offense.
Through 15 games, USC has outscored opponents 102–28, while the pitching staff has been one of the most effective in the country. The Trojans currently lead the nation with a 1.47 team ERA, pairing it with a .94 WHIP while allowing just 22 earned runs across 135 innings and striking out 171 hitters. The staff has also limited opponents to five home runs all season, highlighting the depth and consistency on the mound.
Offensively, USC has complemented that pitching with balanced production, hitting .277 as a team with an .825 OPS, collecting 134 hits, 31 doubles, and 13 home runs while driving in 89 runs. The lineup has also applied pressure on the bases with 19 stolen bases, helping fuel the Trojans’ aggressive style of play.
With elite pitching, timely offense, and steady defense, the Trojans could be serious contenders for playoff baseball if they continue this trend.
Area Code Alumni on the USC roster
Gavin Lauridsen, 2023 & 2024 Brewers
Augie Lopez, 2022 Reds & 2023 Brewers
Garren Rizzo, 2022 Brewers
Jarett Sabol, 2024 Brewers
Rohan Kasanagottu, 2024 Athletics
Paul Grossman, 2023 & 2024 Brewers
Cameron Fausset, 2024 Brewers
Maximo Martinez, 2023 Brewers
Maddox Riske, 2022 Reds
Diego Velazquez, 2024 Brewers
Codes in the Pros
Area Code Alumni who are playing at the highest levels of professional baseball
Dante Nori | Philadelphia Phillies & Team Italy
Phillies No. 7 prospect Dante Nori made an immediate impact in his 2026 World Baseball Classic debut for Team Italy, going 3-for-3 with two home runs, a double, a walk, two RBIs, and two runs scored in an 8-0 win over Brazil.
Nori has appeared in one of Italy’s first two games, where the team has opened the tournament 2-0 in pool play. Italy will look to win tonight as they face Team USA.
Nori played for the Yankees in the 2023 Area Code Games.
Tommy White | Athletics
Athletics No. 9 prospect Tommy White has made a strong impression this spring, hitting .444/.476/.944 with three home runs and five RBIs in 12 Spring Training games. The former LSU standout went 8-for-18 with two walks and just one strikeout, showcasing the impact power that has made him one of the more intriguing bats in the Athletics’ system.
White is looking to build off a productive 2025 minor league season, where he hit .275 with 23 doubles, 12 home runs, and 51 RBIs across 93 games between High-A and Double-A in the Athletics’ system. As he continues to refine his approach and translate his raw power into game production, the 23-year-old corner infielder remains a key offensive prospect in Oakland’s pipeline.
White played for the Nationals in the 2020 Area Code Games.
NCAA Games to Watch Today
Rankings per D1Baseball.com
UC Irvine vs #1 UCLA
One of the top SoCal matchups of the night as Irvine travels to Jackie Robinson Stadium to face the No. 1 team in the country.#2 Texas vs Texas State
Texas State has been one of the better mid-major programs early this season and presents a real midweek challenge for the undefeated Longhorns.Long Beach State vs #25 USC
Undefeated USC looks to set a historic start to their season contingent on a win against Long Beach State at home at tonight#3 Mississippi State vs Tulane
Mississippi State looks to continue its strong start after sweeping Lipscomb this past weekend
#12 Wake Forest vs #16 Coastal Carolina
Ranked matchup between two of the hottest teams in the country with strong pitching and postseason-caliber talent on both sides.
#20 Florida State vs #23 Florida
One of college baseball’s best rivalries featuring two ranked programs with plenty of draft talent.Ole Miss vs #7 Southern Miss
An intense Mississippi matchup in Hattiesburg as Southern Miss looks to prove itself against SEC competition.UTSA vs Texas Tech
UTSA enters with one of the best records in the country (13-2) while Texas Tech looks to win at home
Thank you
Stay tuned as we continue highlighting performances and developments from across the baseball world. Thank you for your continued support!