Elliott: Gillespie moves up Canuck strikeout chart
Ontario Nationals grad RHP Blake Gillespie (Arva, Ont.) has fanned 112 hitters this spring, which ranks among our Canuck leaders. Photo: University of North Carolina at Charlotte Athletics
May 10, 2025
By Bob Elliott
Canadian Baseball Network
Blake Gillespie added to his strikeout totals as the Charlotte ‘49ers edged the University of Alabama-Birmingham Blazers 8-7 in 11 innings on Friday.
Gillespie fanned seven and departed with a 5-2 lead, working seven innings and throwing 103 pitches. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks.
RHP Gillespie (Arva, Ont.) is one of the scant few Canadians to have pitched at the NCAA Division I level to 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. He now has 112 strikeouts.
Meanwhile, three time zones away, University of Santa Barbara Gauchos RHP Tyler Bremner, whose parents are from Mississauga and Queensville, north of Newmarket, struck out 10 in 6 1/3 innings to climb to 98 on the season.
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 13 starts this season, Gillespie has a 6-4 record with a 2.65 ERA, walking only 17 and fanning 112 in 88 1/3 innings. He has held opponents to a .194 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.
He moved past RHP Steven-Ryder Carter (Windsor, Ont.), of the Coastal Carolina Chants, who had 110 in 2003 and LHP Connor O’Halloran (Mississauga, Ont.) of Michigan 2023. Both fanned 110 each.
Is Swindle’s record total out of reach?
Gillespie, a former Ontario National, has two guaranteed starts remaining in the final conference series against the Tulane Green Wave and 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 three outings remaining.
If Charlotte wins regionals, they will make the super regionals, which would make four starts remaining.
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 Blake Gillespie, Lucan, Ont. UNC-Charlotte 2025, 1 12 *
RHP Steven-Ryder Carter, Windsor, Ont. Coastal Carolina 2003, 110
LHP Connor O’Halloran, Mississauga, Ont. Michigan 2023, 110
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