Baseball Closes Home SoCon Slate With Appalachian State
5/13/2011 2:58:00 AM | Baseball
Games 50-52
College of Charleston (32-17, 15-9 SoCon) vs. Appalachian State (28-21, 12-12 SoCon)
Friday, May 13 • 6:00 p.m.
LHP #31 Josh Renfro (7-2, 3.53 ERA) vs. RHP #21 Ryan Arrowood (7-1, 2.40 ERA)
Saturday, May 14 • 3:00 p.m. - Wall of Fame Day
RHP #23 David Peterson (5-4, 4.56 ERA) vs. RHP #18 Nathan Hyatt (5-5, 3.62 ERA)
Sunday, May 15 • 1:00 p.m. - Senior Day
RHP #20 Christian Powell (6-1, 2.89 ERA) vs. RHP #42 Seth Grant (4-7, 5.60 ERA)
Radio: ESPN Radio 910-AM (Jeff McCarragher, PxP)
Video: CofCSports.com (Subscription required)
Live Stats: CofCSports.com
Twitter: CofCSports
BATTING PRACTICE
• The Cougars' 8-0 start this season equaled the mark set in 2002 for the best start to a season in program history.
• Charleston has won at least 30 games in 10 straight seasons and at least 35 games in seven straight.
• The Cougars will induct four former players onto the Wall of Fame this Saturday: Brett Anderson, Byron Barber, Philip Coker and Josh McLaughlin.
ROAD TO 100
With the Cougars' 10-5 win over The Citadel April 10, head coach Monte Lee picked up his 100th career win at the helm of the CofC program. Lee recorded his 100th victory in 152 games, the fastest in CofC baseball program history. It took Ralph Ciabattari 216 games to record his 100th win as Cougars skipper, while current Auburn head coach John Pawlowski needed 185 contest to notch win #100 for the College of Charleston.
RPI WATCH
As of May 12, the College of Charleston's Boyd's World RPI ranking was #64. The Cougars' remaining opponents have RPIs of #142 (Appalachian State), #194 (Presbyterian) and #69 (Samford).
LAST WEEK (1-0 vs. The Citadel & 1-2 vs. UNC Greensboro)
Sophomore LHP Jake Zokan pitched seven strong innings and the College of Charleston used three Citadel errors to defeat the Bulldogs 7-1 in non-conference action Tuesday evening... UNC Greensboro scored seven runs in the top of the ninth inning, erasing a 6-2 deficit and handed the College of Charleston a 9-6 defeat in Southern Conference action Sunday afternoon... Redshirt-junior C Rob Kral jumped on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the ninth, roping a two-run single into center field, giving the College of Charleston a 6-5 walk-off win over UNC Greensboro Saturday evening... A RBI single by UNC Greensboro's Thomas Troelstrup in the 11th inning spoiled a ninth-inning comeback by the College of Charleston as UNCG defeated the Cougars 5-4 in extra innings Friday evening.
ALL-TIME VS. APPALACHIAN STATE
The Cougars are 31-8 all-time against Appalachian State. Last season, Charleston swept Appalachian State in Boone by scores of 15-5, 13-1 and 9-1 (seven innings). In the 15-5 win on May 15, senior CF Cole Rakar became the first Cougar to hit for the cycle since Ben Lasater completed the feat in a 21-9 win at Wofford on April 1, 2007. Rakar accomplished the task in order, a bunt single in the first, a double to left center in the second, a RBI triple to right center in the third and a three-run homer in the seventh. The Cougars also defeated Appalachian State in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament 12-11 in 11 innings. The Mountaineers exacted some revenge on Charleston two days later, bouncing the Cougars from the tourney with a 10-6 loss.
CAPITAL ONE ACADEMIC-ALL DISTRICT TEAM HONORS LEEDS
Redshirt-junior 3B Matt Leeds has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District 3 First Team as selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). An accounting major with minors in economics and finance, Leeds now moves on to the national ballot with results announced on May 24 for the Academic All-America team. To be nominated for the team, a student-athlete must have a 3.3 or better cumulative GPA and be in their second year of competition and academically at a school.
LEEDS NABS SOCON CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Redshirt-junior 3B Matt Leeds has been named the Southern Conference Co-Player of the Week for his performance with the Cougars for all games from April 26 - May 1. Leeds powered the Cougars to a three-game series sweep at Wofford over the weekend, batting .538 with three extra-base hits, six runs driven in and six runs scored.
PRITCHER NAMED NSCA ALL-AMERICAN
Senior C Robert Pritcher was recently recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year. Pritcher was among 247 collegiate and high school athletes from 96 schools across all divisions to receive the award, which recognizes the student-athletes' dedication to strength training and conditioning. Pritcher had a 34-inch vertical jump, a four second pro-agility run, a 350-pound bench press and 500-pound squat.
“Pritch demonstrates all the qualities you look for in an athlete, from his outstanding work ethic, to his desire to get better in every training session,” CofC Assistant Director of Sports Performance Matt Powell said. “He has been a positive influence, on not only his team, but the entire athletic department, because of his leadership skills and his infectious personality.”
ALDRICH GARNERS SOCON PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Redshirt-freshman LF Daniel Aldrich has been named the Southern Conference Baseball Player of the Week for his performance with the Cougars for all games from April 4-10. Aldrich batted .500 with a 1.050 slugging percentage for the Cougars last week while collecting at least two hits in all four games. The Mt. Pleasant, S.C. native drove in 11 runs while six of his 10 hits went for extra bases, including a pair of home runs over the weekend at The Citadel. In both of CofC's wins last week, a 6-5 triumph at UNC Wilmington and a 10-5 defeat of The Citadel, Aldrich drove in four runs.
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME
After fouling a ball off his leg his leg in the April 1 win over Western Carolina, redshirt-junior Matt Leeds missed the April 2 matchup against the Catamounts, ending a streak of 89 straight starts for the 2010 Southern Conference Player of the Year. Leeds played and started all 63 games last season and was in the starting lineup for all 26 games leading up to April 2.
LEEDS NAMED SOCON PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY
Redshirt-junior Matt Leeds, the reigning Southern Conference Player of the Year, was honored by the league today as he received February Athlete of the Month honors. Leeds batted .417 with a pair of home runs and 16 RBIs as the nationally-ranked Cougars started the season with a perfect 7-0 record in February. A preseason All-SoCon First Team honoree, Leeds led Charleston to an 11-6, season-opening win against Kentucky with six RBIs, including a three-run home run in the third inning. He followed that performance with four more runs driven in during a win over Miami (Ohio) the following afternoon. Leeds recorded a hit in all but one contest while reaching base at a .568 clip and slugging .708.
LEEDS SELECTED AS A DAVE HART SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Matt Leeds has been selected by the Southern Conference as a Dave Hart Scholarship winner. The postgraduate-studies award is chosen by a five-person committee based on accomplishments in academics, athletics and community service.
MESA HONORED WITH ExCEL AWARD BY COLLEGE
Senior 2B Jesse Mesa has been chosen as ExCEL Student-Athlete of the Year by the College of Charleston. The Excellence in Collegiate Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Awards program honors faculty, staff, students, community groups and/or individuals for promoting excellence and diversity at the College of Charleston. This award recognizes the accomplishments of a senior male or female in any sport whose academic and athletic achievements have left a lasting impact on their team. In addition to demonstrating athletic ability, this person has proven to be a respected leader on and off the field of play.
RAKAR NAMED 2011 SOCON PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Senior Cole Rakar has been selected as the 2011 Southern Conference Preseason Player of the Year as chosen by the league's baseball coaches. Rakar headlines a conference-high six Cougars chosen to the Preseason All-Conference teams. As a junior, Rakar led the Southern Conference in runs (76), hits (102) and doubles (26) while finishing in the top 20 nationally in each category. His .378 batting average was third-highest in the league. The center fielder had a team-high 31 multi-hit games, including six three-hit and six four-hit efforts. He ended the season on a nine-game hitting streak and was honored in 2010 as a first team All-SoCon selection, as well as earning NCAA Myrtle Beach Regional All-Tournament Team honors.
LEEDS EARNS COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PRESEASON HONOR
Redshirt-junior Matt Leeds was selected to the Louisville Slugger 2011 Pre-Season All-American team, it was announced today by Collegiate Baseball. Leeds was named to the third team. The 2010 ABCA All-American led the Cougars in slugging percentage (.690), RBI (88) and was fifth in batting average (.326) and third in hits (79). His 21 home runs led the team and the Southern Conference and put him 35th in the country, while his 88 RBI ranked him first in the league and second nationally.
College of Charleston (32-17, 15-9 SoCon) vs. Appalachian State (28-21, 12-12 SoCon)
Friday, May 13 • 6:00 p.m.
LHP #31 Josh Renfro (7-2, 3.53 ERA) vs. RHP #21 Ryan Arrowood (7-1, 2.40 ERA)
Saturday, May 14 • 3:00 p.m. - Wall of Fame Day
RHP #23 David Peterson (5-4, 4.56 ERA) vs. RHP #18 Nathan Hyatt (5-5, 3.62 ERA)
Sunday, May 15 • 1:00 p.m. - Senior Day
RHP #20 Christian Powell (6-1, 2.89 ERA) vs. RHP #42 Seth Grant (4-7, 5.60 ERA)
Radio: ESPN Radio 910-AM (Jeff McCarragher, PxP)
Video: CofCSports.com (Subscription required)
Live Stats: CofCSports.com
Twitter: CofCSports
BATTING PRACTICE
• The Cougars' 8-0 start this season equaled the mark set in 2002 for the best start to a season in program history.
• Charleston has won at least 30 games in 10 straight seasons and at least 35 games in seven straight.
• The Cougars will induct four former players onto the Wall of Fame this Saturday: Brett Anderson, Byron Barber, Philip Coker and Josh McLaughlin.
ROAD TO 100
With the Cougars' 10-5 win over The Citadel April 10, head coach Monte Lee picked up his 100th career win at the helm of the CofC program. Lee recorded his 100th victory in 152 games, the fastest in CofC baseball program history. It took Ralph Ciabattari 216 games to record his 100th win as Cougars skipper, while current Auburn head coach John Pawlowski needed 185 contest to notch win #100 for the College of Charleston.
RPI WATCH
As of May 12, the College of Charleston's Boyd's World RPI ranking was #64. The Cougars' remaining opponents have RPIs of #142 (Appalachian State), #194 (Presbyterian) and #69 (Samford).
LAST WEEK (1-0 vs. The Citadel & 1-2 vs. UNC Greensboro)
Sophomore LHP Jake Zokan pitched seven strong innings and the College of Charleston used three Citadel errors to defeat the Bulldogs 7-1 in non-conference action Tuesday evening... UNC Greensboro scored seven runs in the top of the ninth inning, erasing a 6-2 deficit and handed the College of Charleston a 9-6 defeat in Southern Conference action Sunday afternoon... Redshirt-junior C Rob Kral jumped on the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the ninth, roping a two-run single into center field, giving the College of Charleston a 6-5 walk-off win over UNC Greensboro Saturday evening... A RBI single by UNC Greensboro's Thomas Troelstrup in the 11th inning spoiled a ninth-inning comeback by the College of Charleston as UNCG defeated the Cougars 5-4 in extra innings Friday evening.
ALL-TIME VS. APPALACHIAN STATE
The Cougars are 31-8 all-time against Appalachian State. Last season, Charleston swept Appalachian State in Boone by scores of 15-5, 13-1 and 9-1 (seven innings). In the 15-5 win on May 15, senior CF Cole Rakar became the first Cougar to hit for the cycle since Ben Lasater completed the feat in a 21-9 win at Wofford on April 1, 2007. Rakar accomplished the task in order, a bunt single in the first, a double to left center in the second, a RBI triple to right center in the third and a three-run homer in the seventh. The Cougars also defeated Appalachian State in the opening round of the SoCon Tournament 12-11 in 11 innings. The Mountaineers exacted some revenge on Charleston two days later, bouncing the Cougars from the tourney with a 10-6 loss.
CAPITAL ONE ACADEMIC-ALL DISTRICT TEAM HONORS LEEDS
Redshirt-junior 3B Matt Leeds has been named to the Capital One Academic All-District 3 First Team as selected by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). An accounting major with minors in economics and finance, Leeds now moves on to the national ballot with results announced on May 24 for the Academic All-America team. To be nominated for the team, a student-athlete must have a 3.3 or better cumulative GPA and be in their second year of competition and academically at a school.
LEEDS NABS SOCON CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Redshirt-junior 3B Matt Leeds has been named the Southern Conference Co-Player of the Week for his performance with the Cougars for all games from April 26 - May 1. Leeds powered the Cougars to a three-game series sweep at Wofford over the weekend, batting .538 with three extra-base hits, six runs driven in and six runs scored.
PRITCHER NAMED NSCA ALL-AMERICAN
Senior C Robert Pritcher was recently recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as All-American Strength and Conditioning Athlete of the Year. Pritcher was among 247 collegiate and high school athletes from 96 schools across all divisions to receive the award, which recognizes the student-athletes' dedication to strength training and conditioning. Pritcher had a 34-inch vertical jump, a four second pro-agility run, a 350-pound bench press and 500-pound squat.
“Pritch demonstrates all the qualities you look for in an athlete, from his outstanding work ethic, to his desire to get better in every training session,” CofC Assistant Director of Sports Performance Matt Powell said. “He has been a positive influence, on not only his team, but the entire athletic department, because of his leadership skills and his infectious personality.”
ALDRICH GARNERS SOCON PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
Redshirt-freshman LF Daniel Aldrich has been named the Southern Conference Baseball Player of the Week for his performance with the Cougars for all games from April 4-10. Aldrich batted .500 with a 1.050 slugging percentage for the Cougars last week while collecting at least two hits in all four games. The Mt. Pleasant, S.C. native drove in 11 runs while six of his 10 hits went for extra bases, including a pair of home runs over the weekend at The Citadel. In both of CofC's wins last week, a 6-5 triumph at UNC Wilmington and a 10-5 defeat of The Citadel, Aldrich drove in four runs.
FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME
After fouling a ball off his leg his leg in the April 1 win over Western Carolina, redshirt-junior Matt Leeds missed the April 2 matchup against the Catamounts, ending a streak of 89 straight starts for the 2010 Southern Conference Player of the Year. Leeds played and started all 63 games last season and was in the starting lineup for all 26 games leading up to April 2.
LEEDS NAMED SOCON PLAYER OF THE MONTH FOR FEBRUARY
Redshirt-junior Matt Leeds, the reigning Southern Conference Player of the Year, was honored by the league today as he received February Athlete of the Month honors. Leeds batted .417 with a pair of home runs and 16 RBIs as the nationally-ranked Cougars started the season with a perfect 7-0 record in February. A preseason All-SoCon First Team honoree, Leeds led Charleston to an 11-6, season-opening win against Kentucky with six RBIs, including a three-run home run in the third inning. He followed that performance with four more runs driven in during a win over Miami (Ohio) the following afternoon. Leeds recorded a hit in all but one contest while reaching base at a .568 clip and slugging .708.
LEEDS SELECTED AS A DAVE HART SCHOLARSHIP WINNER
Matt Leeds has been selected by the Southern Conference as a Dave Hart Scholarship winner. The postgraduate-studies award is chosen by a five-person committee based on accomplishments in academics, athletics and community service.
MESA HONORED WITH ExCEL AWARD BY COLLEGE
Senior 2B Jesse Mesa has been chosen as ExCEL Student-Athlete of the Year by the College of Charleston. The Excellence in Collegiate Education and Leadership (ExCEL) Awards program honors faculty, staff, students, community groups and/or individuals for promoting excellence and diversity at the College of Charleston. This award recognizes the accomplishments of a senior male or female in any sport whose academic and athletic achievements have left a lasting impact on their team. In addition to demonstrating athletic ability, this person has proven to be a respected leader on and off the field of play.
RAKAR NAMED 2011 SOCON PRESEASON PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Senior Cole Rakar has been selected as the 2011 Southern Conference Preseason Player of the Year as chosen by the league's baseball coaches. Rakar headlines a conference-high six Cougars chosen to the Preseason All-Conference teams. As a junior, Rakar led the Southern Conference in runs (76), hits (102) and doubles (26) while finishing in the top 20 nationally in each category. His .378 batting average was third-highest in the league. The center fielder had a team-high 31 multi-hit games, including six three-hit and six four-hit efforts. He ended the season on a nine-game hitting streak and was honored in 2010 as a first team All-SoCon selection, as well as earning NCAA Myrtle Beach Regional All-Tournament Team honors.
LEEDS EARNS COLLEGIATE BASEBALL PRESEASON HONOR
Redshirt-junior Matt Leeds was selected to the Louisville Slugger 2011 Pre-Season All-American team, it was announced today by Collegiate Baseball. Leeds was named to the third team. The 2010 ABCA All-American led the Cougars in slugging percentage (.690), RBI (88) and was fifth in batting average (.326) and third in hits (79). His 21 home runs led the team and the Southern Conference and put him 35th in the country, while his 88 RBI ranked him first in the league and second nationally.
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