Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

• D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award (2023, 2025)
• 2023 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
• Sunshine State Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) 

Ranks third in Embry-Riddle baseball history with 22 career saves.

2025: Appeared in 19 games...tossed 30.1 innings...recorded 32 strikeouts to only nine walks...ranked fifth in the SSC with five saves...pitched a season high 6.0 innings of relief, struck out one to only one walk and three hits without surrendering a run to earn the win vs. Florida Southern (May 2)...struck out four without giving up a walk or hit in 1.2 innings against Flagler to earn the save (April 1)...struck out two without giving up a walk or hit in 2.0 innings to earn the win vs. Eckerd (May 10)...D2 ADA Academic Acheivement Award recipient.

2024: Posted career-highs in appearances (25) and innings pitched (50.1) and strikeouts (41) to only eight walks...owned a 4-2 record and picked up three saves...pitched 3.0 innings of relief against Edward Waters, striking out five without giving up a walk or hit (Feb. 13)...struck out four and gave up just one hit in the win over Minnesota State (Feb. 29)...posted six strikeouts to just one hit and one walk in 2.2 innings against Nova Southeastern (April 14)...completed 6.0 innings into extras, striking out four to earn the win vs. Barry (May 11).

2023: Appeared in 17 games...collected seven saves in 23.1 innings...struck out 19 batters...over his last 11 appearances only allowed three earned runs...got the save against No. 3 Rollins (May 13) as the Eagles finished off the sweep of the Tars to end the season...went 1.2 innings against Valdosta State (Feb. 4), allowing no hits and no runs with three strikeouts...struck out three batters in 1.1 innings versus Flagler (April 11), a week after going 2.2 innings against the Saints (April 4) in which he earned the win...CSC Academic All-District honoree and SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient.

2022: Again led ERAU with 22 appearances, posting a 2.52 ERA and 1.16 WHIP while going 3-0 on the mound...tossed 25.0 innings, striking out 20 batters and earning 11 saves, the third-most in ERAU single-season history...earned SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll accolades for the third consecutive season.

2021: SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll awardee.

2020: Led the team with 12 appearances, all out of the pen...posted a 1.06 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 17.0 innings of work...struck out 11 batters and held opponents to a .186 batting average...earned his first collegiate win at Savannah State (Feb. 15), working three perfect innings of relief...started his Eagle career with 13.0 consecutive scoreless innings over eight appearances...SSC Commissioner's Honor Roll recipient.

Prep: 2019 graduate of Spruce Creek High School where he played under former Eagle All-American Johnny Goodrich...All-Area second team selection and Reliever of the Year honoree.

Personal: Born in Longwood, Florida...son of Karen McDermott and Scott Balsam...majoring in Business Administration...volunteered at Summertime Retirement Home.