SMCC Baseball Announces Four-Year Transfers
PHOENIX ---
The South Mountain Community College baseball team announced the four-year transfers from its 2025 roster, a group that helped the Cougars win back-to-back Region I Tournament Championships, a 2025 NJCAA Division II West District Championship, and earn a spot in the 2025 NJCAA Division II World Series.
Michael Caruso, Right-Handed Pitcher --- Georgia State University
Caruso spent the 2025 season with the Cougars and logged some crucial postseason innings to help lift SMCC to several postseason victories. He appeared in 14 games and made 11 starts as a redshirt sophomore, and finished 2-2 with a 6.47 ERA, a 1.89 WHIP, and 38 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. Caruso tossed 4.1 innings with five strikeouts in a postseason win over South Arkansas College on May 17 to help SMCC win the NJCAA Division II West District Championship. He also had a season-high six strikeouts in 5.1 innings in a win over Chandler-Gilbert CC on Mar. 28.
The Georgia State University Panthers are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Sun Belt Conference.
Jack Cecil, Right-Handed Pitcher --- (The) Ohio State University
Cecil spent the 2025 season at SMCC, helping lift the Cougars to a memorable postseason run. He appeared in nine games and made three starts, finishing 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA, a 1.59 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts in 22 innings. Cecil earned his first win of the year with five innings of work against Monroe CC on Mar. 10 with two hits, one earned run, and a season-high 10 strikeouts. He also posted a win over NJCAA Division II World Series participant Madison College on Mar. 20 with six innings of work, three hits, three unearned runs, and three strikeouts.
The Ohio State University Buckeyes are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Big Ten Conference.
Matt Elliot, Right-Handed Pitcher --- Point Loma Nazarene University
A 2025 Second Team All-ACCAC and Region I Division II honoree, Elliot appeared in 31 games out of the bullpen for the Cougars over the 2024 and 2025 seasons. As a sophomore, Elliot finished 1-2 with six saves, a 2.55 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts in 24.2 innings of work. He tossed an inning of relief to earn the win and help lift SMCC to a 9-8 postseason victory over Chandler-Gilbert CC on May 2, and recorded saves against Scottsdale CC, Glendale CC (twice), Paradise Valley CC (twice), and Mesa CC.
Elliot made 11 appearances out of the bullpen as a freshman in 2024. He had 22 strikeouts in 12.2 innings of work with a. season-high five K's against Phoenix College on Feb. 16.
The Point Loma Nazarene University Sea Lions are an NCAA Division II program that competes in the PacWest Conference.
David Galindo, Right-Handed Pitcher --- University of Utah
Galindo appeared in 25 games for SMCC over the 2024 and 2025 seasons, finishing 8-4 with three saves, a 3.19 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and 98 strikeouts in 87.1 innings. In 2025, he started four games before injuries cut his season short, and went 3-0 with a 1.57, a 0.83 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts in 23 innings. Galindo threw five innings with one hit and eight strikeouts to defeat eventual NJCAA Division I National Champion Salt Lake CC in the season opener on Jan. 24, and tossed six shutout innings with six strikeouts to defeat GateWay CC on Jan. 31.
As a freshman in 2024, he went 5-4 with three saves, 75 strikeouts, a 1.17 WHIP, and a 3.78 ERA in 64.1 innings of work. Galindo recorded a win with five innings and 8 Ks at Cochise College on Mar. 16, and posted the win with five innings of relief and five strikeouts at Pima CC on May 11 to help SMCC win the Region I Division I Tournament Championship. He recorded saves over Eastern Arizona, Scottsdale CC, and Southeast CC (NE), the latter of which came in an NJCAA Division I West District Tournament game.
The University of Utah Utes are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Big 12 Conference.
Fabian Ibarra, Right-Handed Pitcher --- New Mexico State University
Ibarra made 20 starts and appeared in 24 games for the Cougars since arriving on campus. As a redshirt sophomore in 2025, Ibarra went 1-2 with 44 strikeouts, a 5.17 ERA, and a 1.50 WHIP in 40 innings. He picked up the win with five innings and three strikeouts against Chandler-Gilbert CC on Mar. 29, and fanned a season-high seven batters and went five innings with one earned run to help lift SMCC past the Coyotes in a postseason game on May 3. Ibarra also struck out seven batters in four innings of hitless work against SLCC on Jan. 24.
As a redshirt freshman in 2024, Ibarra had 31 Ks and a 5.70 ERA in 30 innings of work. He recorded a season-high seven strikeouts in four innings against Southeast CC (NE) on May 17 in an NJCAA Division I West District Tournament game. Ibarra also had five K's in four innings at Pima CC on May 11 to help lift SMCC to the NJCAA Region I Division I Tournament Championship.
The New Mexico State Aggies are an NCAA Division I program that competes in Conference USA.
Drew Johnson, First Baseman --- University of Washington
The lone freshman on the list, Johnson batted .278 with 52 runs, 54 hits, 10 doubles, five home runs, 43 RBIs, 63 walks, and eight stolen bases in 63 games for SMCC in 2025. He posted a season-high three hits four times and finished the year with 13 multi-hit games, and drove in a season-high five RBIs against Pima CC on Apr. 5 and had nine multi-RBI games. Johnson homered at Southern Nevada on Jan. 28, at Mesa CC on Feb. 28, at Pima CC on Apr. 5, against Chandler-Gilbert CC on May 2, and against East Central CC (MS) on May 25 at the NJCAA Division II World Series. He posted 17 games with multiple walks, and drew a season-high three walks in three games. A standout defensive first baseman, Johnson finished the year with a .989 fielding percentage in 459 chances, finishing with 28 defensive assists.
The University of Washington Huskies are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Big Ten Conference.
Luke Jones, Catcher --- South Dakota State University
Jones earned First Team All-ACCAC Division II and All-Region I Division II after a sensational 2025 season for the Cougars. In 55 games, he batted .370 with 45 runs, 57 hits, 17 doubles, one home run, 57 RBIs, 31 walks, and 11 stolen bases, while sporting a 1.160 OPS thanks to a .585 on-base and a .575 slugging percentage. Jones had a season-high three hits four times and finished the year with 14 multi-hit games, and had a season-high four RBIs three times and ended the year with 18 multi-RBI games. Jones went 2 for 4 with two runs, a double, and three RBIs to defeat Pima CC and clinch the Region I Division II Championship on May 9. Defensively, Jones finished the year with a .997 fielding percentage, 25 assists, and one error in 299 chances at catcher, catching 19 runners trying to steal.
As a freshman, Jones appeared in 26 games in 2024. He finished with eight runs, 10 hits, one double, one home run, nine RBIs, nine walks, and one stolen base.
The South Dakota State University Jackrabbits are an NCAA Division I program that competes in The Summit League.
Brady Lord, Infielder --- Clarke University
Lord spent two years at SMCC, helping the Cougars win consecutive NJCAA Region I Tournaments. As a sophomore, he appeared in 21 games and finished the year with five runs, 10 hits, two doubles, seven RBIs, five walks, and a stolen base. He went 2 for 3 with two RBIs in the season-opening win over Salt Lake CC, the 2025 NJCAA Division I National Champion, on Jan. 24, and scored two runs and drove in two RBIs in a win at Pima CC on Mar. 4.
As a freshman, Lord batted .219 with 16 runs, 23 hits, six doubles, three triples, 17 RBIs, 13 walks, and five stolen bases in 43 games. He went 4 for 5 with a double, a triple, three RBIs, two stolen bases, and two runs at Phoenix College on Apr. 13, and sported a .944 fielding percentage in 108 defensive chances and helped turn 16 double plays.
The Clarke University Pride are an NAIA program that competes in the Heart of America Conference.
Luis Martin Romero, Right-Handed Pitcher --- Saint Mary's College (CA)
Martin Romero had a stellar sophomore season, winning ACCAC Division II Pitcher of the Year and earning First Team All-ACCAC and All-Region I Division II honors. He also received an ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove after posting a perfect fielding percentage from the mound.
He finished the year 9-2 with a save, 67 strikeouts, a 3.98 ERA, and a 1.39 WHIP in 83.2 innings. On May 8, Romero defeated Pima CC in the Region I Division II Tournament with seven innings, one unearned run, and five strikeouts. He also recorded regular-season wins over GateWay CC (twice), Chandler-Gilbert CC, Scottsdale CC, Pima CC, Paradise Valley CC, Mesa CC, and Phoenix College. Romero recorded a save with 3.1 innings of relief work against Scottsdale CC on Feb. 7.
He appeared in 33 games over his SMCC career, making 17 starts and finishing with a 14-7 record. He produced a 4.01 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts in 121.1 career innings to help lead the Cougars to back-to-back NJCAA Region I Tournament Championships.
The Saint Mary's College Gaels are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the West Coast Conference.
Christopher Mata, Right-Handed Pitcher --- Chaminade University
Mata was a two-way threat for the Cougars over the past two seasons, appearing in 22 games as a pitcher while compiling 254 at-bats. As a sophomore in 2025, Mata went 3-1 with four saves, 15 strikeouts, a 3.43 ERA, and a 1.48 WHIP in 21 innings. He was instrumental in the Cougars' postseason run as a relief pitcher. Mata tossed the final two innings to pick up the win and help lift SMCC past South Arkansas College to win the NJCAA Division II West District Championship on May 17. He earned a save vs. SAC with 1.2 innings of work on May 15, and picked up a win over Pima CC on May 9 with 3.2 innings of relief work as SMCC won the Region I Division II Tournament Championship. He also earned a victory over Chandler-Gilbert CC with 2.2 innings and a season-high four strikeouts in a postseason contest on May 3.
As a field player in 2025, Mata batted .225 with 20 runs, 27 hits, five doubles, one home run, 22 RBIs, 14 walks, and seven stolen bases. He had a season-high three hits plus two RBIs, a run, and a double in a win at Scottsdale CC on Apr. 12, and recorded five multi-RBI games, including a season-high four RBIs in a win at Paradise Valley CC on Mar. 25.
Mata scored a season-high three runs in a Region I Division I Tournament game at Central Arizona on May 2, and had a season-high three hits three times as a freshman in 2024. He homered against Arizona Western and Southern Nevada, the latter coming in an NJCAA Division I West District Tournament game. Mata appeared in 10 games as a pitcher and finished 1-3 with one save, 16 K's, and a 5.09 ERA in 23 innings.
The Chaminade University Sliverswords are an NCAA Division II program that competes in the PacWest Conference.
Max Mazinter, Right-Handed Pitcher --- Tulane University
Mazinter appeared in 14 games and made six starts as a freshman in 2024. He finished 1-2 with 45 strikeouts and a 5.63 ERA in 38.1 innings of work. Mazinter earned the win with five innings of relief and four strikeouts against Western Nebraska CC on Mar. 12. Mazinter had six K's in five innings against El Paso CC, and six against Southern Nevada on May 18 in an NJCAA Division I West District Tournament game. He missed all of the 2025 season due to injury.
The Tulane University Green Wave are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the American Conference.
Marcus Romero, Outfielder --- Northern Illinois University
Romero spent two years at SMCC and helped the Cougars win two Region I Tournament Championships. As a sophomore, Romero led the team with 10 home runs and batted .295 with 41 runs, 44 hits, eight doubles, two triples, 34 RBIs, 31 walks, and 12 stolen bases in 52 games. He hit a grand slam vs. Paradise Valley CC on Apr. 19 and blasted a three-run home run in a postseason game vs. Chandler-Gilbert CC on May 1. Romero also doubled in both of SMCC's games at the Division II World Series ... had two stolen bases in a win over Phoenix College on Apr. 26.
As a freshman, Romero batted .277 with 35 runs, 51 hits, six doubles, one triple, one home run, 31 RBIs, 17 walks, and 17 stolen bases in 56 games. He scored a season-high three runs in a win at Phoenix College on Apr. 13 and posted a season-high three hits in contests against Phoenix College and Central Arizona. Romero hit a grand slam and finished with a season-high four RBIs in a win at Yavapai College and recorded a season-high four stolen bases at Phoenix College.
The Northern Illinois University Huskies are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Mid-American Conference.
Landon Springmeyer, Catcher --- Northern Kentucky University
A two-year letterwinner, Springmeyer was an integral member of two SMCC Region I Championship teams. Springmeyer appeared in 43 games as a sophomore in 2025 and batted .268 with 32 runs, 30 hits, six doubles, two triples, five home runs, 31 RBIs, 25 walks, and eight stolen bases. He had a season-high three hits with a double, a run, an RBI, and a walk in a win at Paradise Valley CC on Mar. 25, and posted eight multi-RBI games, including a season-high five RBIs to go with a double, a home run, and a stolen base in a win over Chandler-Gilbert CC on Feb. 26. Sprngmeyer also homered against Salt Lake CC on Jan. 25, against Phoenix College on Mar. 8, against Scottsdale CC on Mar. 11, and at Mesa CC on Apr. 23.
In 2024, Springmeyer batted .248 with 27 runs, 27 hits, five doubles, two home runs, 19 RBIs, 31 walks, and four stolen bases. He homered against Yavapai College and Chandler-Gilbert CC, and scored a season-high three runs against Arizona Western on Apr. 9. Springmeyer sported a .994 fielding percentage in 314 chances and caught seven runners stealing a base.
The Northern Kentucky University Norse are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Horizon League.
Joe Terranova, Infielder --- Southeast Missouri State University
Terranova earned First Team All-ACCAC Division II and All-Region I Division II honors after an outstanding 2025 season. He appeared in 60 games and batted .350 with 71 runs, 79 hits, 23 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 52 RBIs, 40 walks, and 24 stolen bases. He sported a .463 on-base and a .522 slugging percentage, and recorded 20 multi-hit and 15 multi-RBI games.
He went 5 for 5 with three doubles, two runs, two RBIs, and a walk in a win at GateWay CC on Feb. 18, and drove in a season-high five RBIs with a home run and a triple in a win over Madison College on Mar. 16. Terranova had three stolen bases in a win Scottsdale CC on Feb. 8 and against Mesa CC on Mar. 1, and posted a .940 fielding percentage in 216 defensive chances in the infield.
As a freshman, Terranova batted .299 with 50 runs, 67 hits, 13 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 30 RBIs, 33 walks, and 15 stolen bases in 63 games in 2024. He led SMCC with 22 multi-hit games, and posted a season-high four runs and three RBIs while hitting two home runs in a win at Chandler-Gilbert CC on Mar. 30.
The Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks are an NCAA Division I program that competes in the Ohio Valley Conference.