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New South Wales pitcher James Fergusson has joined the ranks of Australians attending Vernon College, a Division 1 JUCO in Texas.

It’s a school already with strong ties to the lucky country.

Canberra pitcher Koby Chesterton, Western Australian catcher Josh Davies and Victorian pitcher Josh Ashen are currently enrolled at Vernon College.

Zak Skinner and Dylan Bojarski also played there before transferring after two years.

Fergusson will join Vernon College in August, 2025.

“One of the main reasons that I committed to Vernon College is because of the strength of the conference and program,” says Fergusson. “I had the chance to get to know the head coach Devin McIntosh through calls over a number of months which helped me find out more about the program and the college itself.”

Fergusson carved out a successful junior career in New South Wales.

He originally played for the Ryde Hawks, working under coaches like Matt O’Neill who helped him fire up his pitching abilities.

As he got older, Fergusson decided to transfer to Baulkham Hills where he has received coaching and advice from the likes of Scott Tonkin, Chris Oxspring and Phil Hemmer.

He pitched two years of Under 18s for New South Wales at the Australian Youth Championships, and regularly worked out in the Baseball NSW Performance Pathways Program.

Andrew Riddell, Baseball Australia’s National Player Development Manager, says Fergusson’s story is one of resilience.

“After not giving up a run at the AYC in two years, he was on track for an MLB/Team Australia trip which he had to make the tough call to withdraw from due to injury,” says Riddell. “He has worked really hard to get back to 100% and earn himself a scholarship to Vernon who has a history of Australian players in a really tough Texas junior college conference.

Fergusson says he wants to use the college route to improve his baseball abilities.

“I’m looking forward to working on my strength and improving my longevity during my time at college,” he says.

Fergusson possesses a fastball regularly delivered between 87mph and 90mph. He throws a changer and a slider.

He had a 0.00 ERA in the 2023 and 2024 Australian Youth Championships.

“I think my biggest strengths are that I’m a team player and that I’m competitive but I hope that college baseball helps me to improve my velocity and pitch variety,” says Fergusson.

Congratulations James!

MORE COLLEGE STORIES: Here are more stories and commitments

AUSSIE UPDATES FROM JUCO

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Here are some statistical standouts from the weekend gone in the Junior College world. Did I miss someone? Please email me at eric.balnar@baseball.com.au so I can keep the Australian baseball public informed. 

Max Stagg (Central Arizona, SA) – Big weekend for Max. He went 4-for-6 with two doubles, and three RBI. This includes a 3-for-3 effort on February 14 vs Community Christian College.

Bronson Neave (Arizona Wester, VIC) – Bronson went 5-for-7 with two walks, a homer and three RBI in two games over the weekend. He is hitting .389 with 11 RBI in ten games this season.

Nic Paparella (Galveston, SA) – Went 3-for-3 on February 9 with his first college homer.

Callum Donnelly (New Mexico, NSW) – Went 2-for-4 on February 9 with an RBI and a walk.

Tom Chessell (Clarendon, QLD) – Went 6-for-13 with a homer and six RBI across four games on the weekend.

Blake Barlow (Clarendon, QLD) – Throw 4.2 innings allowing two earned runs across two appearances.

Adam Mustow (Hutchinson, NSW) – 2-for-6 with two doubles, a walk and an RBI in two games this weekend.

Sam Jackson (Howard) – 5.0 innings with eight strikeouts and three earned runs in his start

Quinn Johnson (Pratt, NSW) – Went 8-for-13 in four games over the weekend, including two three-hit performances. He drove in one run. Johnson is hitting .444 in eight games this season.

Blake Gooding (Hillsbourgh, NSW) – Hillsborough – Went 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs on Sunday. Hitting .292 for the season.