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Freshman Jake Loye has sparked the Cougars to a 22-5 record.
David Conner II
The Averett Cougars' last appearance in the NCAA playoffs was 2003 when they finished with a 27-14 record. Today the Cougars are only five wins from matching that total as they are 22-5, leading Division III baseball in wins and are three wins from leading all NCAA baseball divisions (Division II Lenoir-Rhyne has 24 wins). Their success lies with an influx of new talent as their everyday lineup features five freshmen "The talent level of our team has increased," said coach Ed Fulton. "We had a good recruiting class."
A key member of this freshman class is shortstop Jake Loye who leads the team in homeruns and RBIs and third with a.373 batting average. "Both shortstops in high school, Loye and second baseman Eric Sibrizzsi have solidified the middle both defensively and offensively," said Fulton. The three other freshmen who have found starting jobs are Jeremiah McMillian (.378, 15 runs), Ahmad Shelton (.349, 7 SB), and John Lesueur (.306, 19 runs). It is not only the freshmen class that has contributed to the Cougar's success. Seniors Pierce Steinruck (.391, 23 RBI), Larry Motherhead (.339, 15 Runs), and T. J. Bray (.352, 23 RBI) have helped Averett to one of their best start in school history.
Junior pitcher Travis Reynolds (4-0, 1.78 ERA) is the old man on the Cougars' pitching staff working primarily as a reliever and a spot starter. The starting rotation features a host of freshmen and sophomores. At the top of the starting rotation is Shelton (5-0, 2.25) and sophomore Jacob Walker (4-0, 3.11). Another freshman who has found early success at Averett is Chase Hall (2-0, 1.04) who leads the team with five saves. "It is exiting to see a young team play to their potential," said Fulton.
Fulton acknowledges that the easiest part of the season is behind him with eight conference games in the next month. "Top to bottom our conference stacks up to others," said Fulton. "You look at how many times a team from the USA South made it to the Championships". With a weekend series at N.C. Wesleyan this weekend and perennial top teams in Greensboro, Methodist and Ferrum still to come, the challenge to the team is to keep winning. Fulton has confidence in his team to continue improving. "Right now the team is playing to their talent level, not above it."
A key member of this freshman class is shortstop Jake Loye who leads the team in homeruns and RBIs and third with a.373 batting average. "Both shortstops in high school, Loye and second baseman Eric Sibrizzsi have solidified the middle both defensively and offensively," said Fulton. The three other freshmen who have found starting jobs are Jeremiah McMillian (.378, 15 runs), Ahmad Shelton (.349, 7 SB), and John Lesueur (.306, 19 runs). It is not only the freshmen class that has contributed to the Cougar's success. Seniors Pierce Steinruck (.391, 23 RBI), Larry Motherhead (.339, 15 Runs), and T. J. Bray (.352, 23 RBI) have helped Averett to one of their best start in school history.
Junior pitcher Travis Reynolds (4-0, 1.78 ERA) is the old man on the Cougars' pitching staff working primarily as a reliever and a spot starter. The starting rotation features a host of freshmen and sophomores. At the top of the starting rotation is Shelton (5-0, 2.25) and sophomore Jacob Walker (4-0, 3.11). Another freshman who has found early success at Averett is Chase Hall (2-0, 1.04) who leads the team with five saves. "It is exiting to see a young team play to their potential," said Fulton.
Fulton acknowledges that the easiest part of the season is behind him with eight conference games in the next month. "Top to bottom our conference stacks up to others," said Fulton. "You look at how many times a team from the USA South made it to the Championships". With a weekend series at N.C. Wesleyan this weekend and perennial top teams in Greensboro, Methodist and Ferrum still to come, the challenge to the team is to keep winning. Fulton has confidence in his team to continue improving. "Right now the team is playing to their talent level, not above it."
Permalink | Mar 15, 2007