Trio of Division I transfers finds home at University of Mount Olive

By Allen Etzler
Published in Sports on May 14, 2014 1:49 PM

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Derek Justice, Jordy Farthing and Jay Gonzalez each wanted a second chance when they decided to transfer from highly-respectable Division I baseball programs.

Justice needed a better relationship with his coaches.

Farthing sought more playing time.

Personal issues bothered Gonzalez.

Head coach Carl Lancaster and the University of Mount Olive offered all three former Division I baseball players the second chance they desired.

Justice has developed a much stronger and friendlier relationship with Lancaster and his three assistant coaches -- Rob Watt, Jason Sherrer and Jesse Lancaster.

Farthing has thrown more innings on the mound than he ever has in his career. Gonzalez has worked through his personal issues and is happier than ever.

Overall, UMO has nine Division I transfers on its current roster. It's a program many come to because of its winning tradition and the opportunity to pursue baseball as a career after college.

"There's a lot of people that come here that have a shot at professional baseball," Farthing said. "Coach promotes that ... Plus we win."

Now, Farthing, Justice and Gonzalez will help play major roles in UMO's run toward a national championship this week.

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Justice and Farthing are a core part of the Trojans pitching staff. Gonzalez is the team's catalyst and leader in five offensive categories.

Justice, a transfer from national powerhouse University of Virginia, had a burning desire to prove what UVa lost. He has a 9-1 record with a 3.32 earned run average (ERA) and has thrown a team-leading 76 innings.

The lefty, who will get the nod in UMO's game on Thursday, has always been able to strike out hitters -- this season he has a team-high 61 -- but this year he's shown more control and cut his walk ratio down from last year.

The improved control is a product of Justice getting the experience he did not get with coaches at Virginia.

Justice's relationship with his coaches has allowed him to develop as a student of the game. As a converted outfielder Justice originally came to mound just hoping to throw the ball past hitters. Now he beats hitters psychologically.

"I've really had time to think about how to pitch hitters," Justice said. "I know what pitches to throw in certain counts and know how to get hitters out after I face them one or two times."

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Farthing didn't get the experience he'd hoped for at Campbell and pitched just six innings in two seasons.

Mount Olive was closer to Farthing's home in Roseboro, and he had a better chance of playing so the decision to transfer was easy. Plus, Mount Olive is in Division II so Farthing wouldn't have to sit out a year like he would if he went to another Division I school.

In his first year as a Trojan, Farthing has gotten more playing time than ever on the mound. He'd never thrown more than 35 innings and this year he's racked up 46.

The playing time has helped the 6-foot-5 right-hander learn how to develop a rhythm on the mound so that he can last deeper into ball games. He is 6-0 in nine starts this season.

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Gonzalez was an SEC standout at Auburn who led the conference in stolen bases as a sophomore, but it wasn't the right fit. His coach wouldn't sign a release form since Gonzalez wanted to transfer to another school within the conference.

He found Mount Olive and wanted to take advantage of the criminal justice program, and compete for a national championship. The center fielder came in and immediately proved he was an SEC-quality player.

Out of the lead-off spot, he's tallied 88 hits for a .429 average and has scored 81 runs -- all team-highs.

As a former track star, Gonzalez nearly played football at Auburn as a walk-on after running a 4.34 40-yard dash at a tryout before he transferred. Now, he's the nation's leader in stolen bases with 51 in 56 tries.

"I've never been much of a power guy," Gonzalez said. "So, I figured if I'm going to be a singles guy I better learn how to steal bases and turn my singles into doubles."

Justice, Farthing and Gonzalez all got the second chance they wanted, but for the seniors like Justice, this week is the last chance for what they really want.

"I think everyone wants to get a ring," Farthing said. "I'd like to win a national championship. That'd be nice, you know?"