Elliott: Gillespie climbs triple-digit strikeout chart

Ontario Nationals grad RHP Blake Gillespie (Arva, Ont.) has fanned 105 hitters this spring, which ranks among our Canuck leaders. Photo: University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics

May 7, 2025

By Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Blake Gillespie managed a grand total of 12 strikeouts in his first two seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs.

He pitched a total of 18 innings as a freshman and a sophomore.

Yet, his K factor climbed through the roof this spring after transferring to the Charlotte ‘49ers. Gillespie struck out six in a complete-game 2-0 loss to the Rice Owls and in doing so cracked triple figures climbing all the way to 105 whiffs on the season.

RHP Gillespie (Arva, Ont.) is one of the scant few Canadians to have pitched at NCAA Division I to hit break the 100-strikeout mark since we began tracking college players in 1999. Gillespie is the 11th pitcher to do so, although the feat has been accomplished 16 times.

The all-time leader is LHP R.J. Swindle (Vancouver, BC), who twice struck out more than 100 for the Charleston Southern Buccaneers, with a high of 129 in 2003. Swindle pitched in nine games with the Philadelphia Phillies and the Milwaukee Brewers, in addition to eight years in the minors.

Gillespie’s first win was a no-no over James Madison, 11 strikeouts and one walk — thrown out attempting to steal. Photo: Mark Estes, Charlotte Athletics

In his first 12 starts, he had a 6-4 mark walking only 14 and fanning 105 in 81 1/3 innings. He has held opponents to a .195 batting average pitching three complete games, with two shutouts. His highlight was throwing a nine-inning no-hitter as he beat James Madison 5-0, striking out 11. It was the program’s first no hitter in 38 years.

Is Swindle’s record total out of reach?

At this stage for the ‘49ers winning is more important. Gillespie, a former Ontario National, has two guaranteed starts remaining: against the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers on Friday night and then the final conference series against the Tulane Green Wave.

Next comes the American Athletic Conference tournament at Clearwater, Fla., on May 20-25. If Charlotte wins the conference tournament, it will reach the into regionals, and if that happens, he could have four outings remaining.

Win regionals and the ‘49ers make the super regionals which would make five starts remaining.

Yet, first there is Alabama Birmingham on the menu.

Canuck strikeout leaders at NCAA Division I

(Our modern era of tracking numbers began in 1999)

LHP R.J Swindle, Vancouver, BC, Charleston Southern 2003, 129

LHP R.J Swindle, Vancouver, BC, Charleston Southern 2004, 127

LHP Jeff Degano, Surrey, BC, Indiana State 2015, 126

RHP Matt Duffy, Burlington, Ont. Canisius 2022, 124

RHP Matt Brash, Kingston, Ont. Niagara 2019, 123


RHP Jeremy Herauf, Regina, Sask. Winthrop 2002, 120

RHP Matt Duffy, Burlington, Ont. Canisius 2023, 119

RHP Steven-Ryder Carter, Windsor, Ont. Coastal Carolina 2004, 116

LHP James Paxton, Ladner, BC, Kentucky 2009, 115

RHP Steven-Ryder Carter, Windsor, Ont. Coastal Carolina 2003, 110


LHP Connor O’Halloran, Mississauga, Ont. Michigan 2023, 110

RHP Blake Gillespie, Lucan, Ont. UNC-Charlotte 2025, 106 *

RHP Robert Nixon, Welland, Ont. Adelphi 2011, 104

LHP Connor O’Halloran, Mississauga, Ont. Michigan 2022, 104

RHP Jordan Marks, Sarnia, Ont. USC Upstate 2021, 101


RHP L.P. Langevin, Quebec, Que. Louisiana-Lafayette 2024, 100

* Denotes still active

Bold indicates major-league service time