Baseball ranked third in Division II
Ashley Islas
Issue date: 3/27/09 Section: Sports
Ashley Islas
Staff Writer
At the halfway mark of their season, the Florida Southern College baseball team was ranked third in the Division II nation with a 20-5 record.
The Mocs have made it clear that not only are they in search of another Sunshine State Conference Championship title, but a regional and national championship, as well.
"The hard work of this team and the dedication of each one of the players have gotten us to third in the nation, which is an amazing feeling," freshman catcher Jordan Guida said. "We want the top spot and will continue to out-work anyone in our way to get there."
In their first 25 games, the Mocs pitching staff combined for a 3.48 ERA and 220 strikeouts. They also allowed only eight homeruns.
Junior Stephen Batman had the team's lowest ERA at 1.53 and had 43 strikeouts. Sophomore Max Russell led the team in strikeouts with 44. Sophomore closer Daniel Tillman had six saves with a 1.88 ERA.
Offensively, the Mocs have been able to produce more than enough runs for victories. The team's batting average was .318 and combined for 31 homeruns.
Junior outfielder Trae Gore led the team with a .381 batting average, and four other Mocs followed close behind with averages in the 300's: sophomores Zach Maggard and Wade Kirkland, senior Nick Stanley, and junior Robbie Shields. Leading the team in homeruns is senior Will Cherry, with 11.
If individual statistics do not show the Mocs diverse hitting power, their SSC season opener demonstrates this fact well.
In their opener against Florida Tech, the Mocs outhit their opponent 12-5, including three hits from Cherry. Freshman Colin Kish, sophomore Colin Kaline and Stanley all got hits as well. To win the game, Cherry and Adam Miller got back-to-back singles and were then brought home with a single by Guida.
"Our team has great balance," Mocs baseball head coach Jim Tyrrell said. "Each night it has been a different guy stepping up and helping us win the game."
According to Tyrrell, the Mocs are not as healthy as they'd like to be, and they are withstanding some injuries. In order to make up for their current situation, younger players have had to take on more active roles.
Stepping up to the mound are sophomore Patrick Szcerba and freshman Jake Guengerich. Szcerba picked up his first collegiate win this season and Guengerich has two wins. Guida and Kish are leading the freshman sluggers.
"We've had a few injuries to where we've had to move the lineup a little bit and we want to give them an opportunity to get in the game," Tyrrell said.
Over the next few weeks, the Mocs will be able to continue making their way towards an SSC championship title as they face four conference rivals in the next two weeks.
"We want the top spot and will continue to out-work anyone in our way to get there," Guida said.
Staff Writer
At the halfway mark of their season, the Florida Southern College baseball team was ranked third in the Division II nation with a 20-5 record.
The Mocs have made it clear that not only are they in search of another Sunshine State Conference Championship title, but a regional and national championship, as well.
"The hard work of this team and the dedication of each one of the players have gotten us to third in the nation, which is an amazing feeling," freshman catcher Jordan Guida said. "We want the top spot and will continue to out-work anyone in our way to get there."
In their first 25 games, the Mocs pitching staff combined for a 3.48 ERA and 220 strikeouts. They also allowed only eight homeruns.
Junior Stephen Batman had the team's lowest ERA at 1.53 and had 43 strikeouts. Sophomore Max Russell led the team in strikeouts with 44. Sophomore closer Daniel Tillman had six saves with a 1.88 ERA.
Offensively, the Mocs have been able to produce more than enough runs for victories. The team's batting average was .318 and combined for 31 homeruns.
Junior outfielder Trae Gore led the team with a .381 batting average, and four other Mocs followed close behind with averages in the 300's: sophomores Zach Maggard and Wade Kirkland, senior Nick Stanley, and junior Robbie Shields. Leading the team in homeruns is senior Will Cherry, with 11.
If individual statistics do not show the Mocs diverse hitting power, their SSC season opener demonstrates this fact well.
In their opener against Florida Tech, the Mocs outhit their opponent 12-5, including three hits from Cherry. Freshman Colin Kish, sophomore Colin Kaline and Stanley all got hits as well. To win the game, Cherry and Adam Miller got back-to-back singles and were then brought home with a single by Guida.
"Our team has great balance," Mocs baseball head coach Jim Tyrrell said. "Each night it has been a different guy stepping up and helping us win the game."
According to Tyrrell, the Mocs are not as healthy as they'd like to be, and they are withstanding some injuries. In order to make up for their current situation, younger players have had to take on more active roles.
Stepping up to the mound are sophomore Patrick Szcerba and freshman Jake Guengerich. Szcerba picked up his first collegiate win this season and Guengerich has two wins. Guida and Kish are leading the freshman sluggers.
"We've had a few injuries to where we've had to move the lineup a little bit and we want to give them an opportunity to get in the game," Tyrrell said.
Over the next few weeks, the Mocs will be able to continue making their way towards an SSC championship title as they face four conference rivals in the next two weeks.
"We want the top spot and will continue to out-work anyone in our way to get there," Guida said.
Be the first to comment on this story