Former 2009 Glens Falls Golden Eagles pitcher Andrew Brown (Akron) earned honorable mention for Pitcher of the Week out of the Mid-American Conference.

The sophomore righty tied a career-high by striking out seven Eastern Michigan Eagles’ hitters. Though he allowed just one earned run in seven innings pitched, Brown earned a no-decision.

Brown’s pitching performance was reminiscent of an early Feb. outing against the Minnesota Golden Gophers that saw Brown strike out seven hitters and surrender one earned run through seven innings. That time; however, Brown picked up the victory, which was the Zips first of the young 2010 season.

This season, Brown leads all Akron pitchers with a 3.18 ERA. His 62.1 innings pitched and 41 strikeouts rank second on the Zips pitching staff. In nine starts, Brown’s earned four wins, including one complete game.

With the Golden Eagles, Brown went perfect in all four of his 2009 regular reason starts and led all Glens Falls’ pitchers in an opponents’ batting average (.176). His phenomenal summer resume also included 26 strikeouts and a 2.19 ERA in 37 innings pitched.

Player of the Week

Missouri State freshman outfielder Kennen Maddox, who will play for the 2010 Glens Falls Golden Eagles, earned honorable mention for Player of the Week out of the Missouri Valley Conference.

Maddox’ walk-off, two-run homerun to deep left propelled the Bears to a 5-4 win over the Missouri Tigers last week. He finished his career-day going 3-for-4 with two homeruns and three RBI. His first homer came in the fifth and broke up the Tigers no-hit bid, while he added a single in the seventh inning.

Maddox ended his impressive week with four RBI, a .571 batting average, a .625 on-base percentage, and a 1.429 slugging percentage.

A two-time Golden Eagles pitcher and first-year pitcher for the Houston Baptist Huskies, Storey picked up his third win when he tossed his second complete game of the 2010 season.

Storey, who pitched a two-hit, seven-inning shutout back in March, retired 35-of-37 batters he faced, walked none, and struck out the final two hitters en route the Huskies 9-4 win over the New York Institute of Technology Bears.

On the season, Storey ranks second on the Huskies pitching staff in innings pitched (44.1) and has walked just 14 hitters and struck out 17. Storey, who transferred from the Midland College Chaps after two seasons, has started eight games for the Huskies in 2010.

The Huskies now hold a 5-3 Great West Conference record and host Stephen F. Austin at Husky Field on April 20.

During the 2009 New York Collegiate Baseball (NYCBL) playoffs, Storey appeared in one game, striking out four and allowed no earned runs in four innings.

As a pitcher for Glens Falls in 2008, Storey started four games and went the distance in three of them. Storey appeared in 13 games that summer, finishing second on the team in ERA (1.47), winning five games and allowing just seven earned runs in 43 innings pitched.

Dykstra took home the award for the week ending March 28.

During that time, Dykstra led the Roughriders to 3-of-4 ACCAC victories, batted an amazing .571, scored six runs, recorded six RBI, smashed one homerun, and stole one base.

Yavapai ranks second in the ACCAC (30-14), just two games behind Central Arizona College. They’ve split the season the Vaqueros at one game apiece and will play them twice more on April 24. The Roughriders have won the ACCAC the past two seasons and are currently on a four-game winning streak. They travel to Cochise for two games on April 17.

Dykstra ranks second on team in homeruns (3) and walks (20), with a batting average (.298) nearly at .300. His seven doubles and .431 on-base percentage put him third best on the team, while his 17 RBI and .489 slugging percentage are good for fifth-best.

As a relief pitcher for the Roughriders, Dykstra holds a 1-0 win-loss record in seven appearances with one save, and a 3.52 ERA.

Retz took home Batter of the Week honors for April 11.

Retz batted .411 for the week, slugging one homerun, roping one double, and scoring three runs. He also drove home at least one RBI in each game.

So far this 2010 season, Retz ranks second on the team in doubles (7), runs scored (20), hits (41), and RBI (20). His five triples leads all Aztecs hitters. Retz is also batting .285, has played in 42 games, stolen three bases and been walk six times.

Up next for the Aztecs, they play a doubleheader against the South Mountain Community College Cougars on April 17.

Maddox’ first homerun shattered the Missouri Tigers’ no-hit bid in the fifth.

His second, a two-run walk-off homer, handed the Missouri State Bears their 13th win of the season with a 5-4 victory of the Tigers.

Maddox currently rides a four-game hitting streak. In nine games this month, Maddox has managed to score nine runs, drive home eight RBI, smash 14 hits and work two walks.

The win, the Bears’ first walk-off this season and first walk-off homerun since the teams’ 9-6 win over Illinois State in the 2009 Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, gives Bears 13 this season.

So far this season, Maddox, who’s started 24 games, ranks third on the team in batting average (.294), homeruns (3), and slugging percentage (.494). He’s also roped six doubles, scored 10 runs, and worked six walks.

Two other Missouri State freshmen pitchers will also play of the 2010 Golden Eagles this summer.

Right-handed pitcher Clay Murphy, who’s started three games this season and holds a 1-0 win-loss record, tops all Bears’ pitcher in ERA (3.16). Murphy’s allowed just 11 earned runs in over 31 innings-pitched with 28 strikeouts and an opponent’s batting average of .274.

Murphy earned Missouri Valley Conference Honor Roll for his pitching performance last week. In seven innings pitched, Murphy struck out 11 Cowboys’ hitters and walked just two. Murphy retired 24-of-26 batters and earned a no-decision in the teams 7-5  Oklahoma State.

Southpaw pitcher Barrett Noirfalise, who has appeared in three games this year for the Bears, boasts a 3.60 ERA and holds opponents to a .250 batting average. Noirfalise also plays outfield for Missouri State. He’s started nine games, scored four runs with five RBI, and totaled 10 bases.

During a recent start on April 9, Brooke pitched six innings, striking out seven Penn State hitters and walking only one in Northwestern’s 11-5 win.

That same game, 2010 Golden Eagles returnee Lashmet went an incredible 4-for-5 with two runs scored and four RBI to help even the teams’ record in Big Ten conference play.

On the season, Brooke holds a 3-2 win-loss record, leads the pitching staff in innings pitched (48.2) and walks (5). Brooke ranks second on the staff in strikeouts (34) and opponent’s batting average (.281). He’s combined for one shutout victory and has started seven games while appearing in nine.

Lashmet has hit safely in all seven games this April. In those seven games, Lashmet’s has 11 hits, including four doubles, five runs scored, and 11 RBI.

On the season, Lashmet has started and played in all but one game for the Wildcats. Lashmet leads the team in triples (3) and RBI (26). He ranks fourth on the team in batting average (.302), runs scored (17), and doubles (7). His 54 total bases, .466 slugging percentage (.466), 14 walks are good for third best on team.

Northwestern is off today, but return to Big Ten conference play this weekend when they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers for a three-game set.

Carroll currently serves as the head coach for the Tompkins Cortland Community Panthers.

Certainly no stranger to the Glens Falls region or the NYCBL, Mercurio spent his first college summer playing catcher for the 2007 Golden Eagles, a team won 34-of-41 games during the regular season and set the NYCBL record for wins.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better beginning. I called two no-hitters that summer, which made it an unreal experience,” Mercurio said. “Returning to Glens Falls is going to be a big thrill for me. The atmosphere the fans created is something I could never forget.”

Mercurio’s family baseball roots run deep, with his younger brother Mike, a freshman starting at shortstop for High Point University. Joe’s father also runs an elite high school age summer travel team chuck-full of college prospects.

“Joe’s a student of the game who understands the nuances of the game and has great respect for this special sport.” Glens Falls Golden Eagles head coach John Mayotte said.

Mercurio may not have much collegiate coaching experience aside from learning how to call games as a Division-1 catcher, which is good preparation for a professional or amateur coaching career in baseball, he has mentored younger players, catchers especially, and been a role model for them his entire life.

Glens Falls Golden Eagles catcher Tyler Donovan (Winthrop) has known Joe since the two were kids and still maintains a family relationship. Everything Mercurio learned as a catcher, whether offensively or defensively, he taught to Donovan.

“In a way, playing for Joe this summer will be a lot like any other summer because we always end up working on catching and hitting nearly everyday,” Donovan said.

Friendships aside, Mercurio maintains the twos relationship will not effect the lineup.

“When we get on the field, there are no more friendships,” Mercurio said. “On the field, I will coach the way I’m supposed to. Off the field, it’s good to have a friend.”

“The best player will play,” Mercurio said. “If either catcher isn’t producing on both sides of the ball, the other one will play.”

Being a players’ coach and teaching younger players remain two of the central coaching tendencies Joe’s picked up throughout his collegiate career and is just another reason why Mercurio will work alongside other 2010 Glens Falls coaches and players during the Golden Eagles baseball camps this summer.

“As a young coach Joe will be enthusiastic and excited about initiating his role as a teacher and role model for our players in Glens Falls,” Mayotte said. ”He has played on extremely successful summer teams and brings a winning attitude to the ballpark.”

Whether it’s with the Black Bears, the Golden Eagles, or the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, who Joe played with during his freshman year before transferring, his high school coaches, his father, or his summer league coaches, Mercurio’s learned a little something from all of them.

“All my coaches loved having fun with their players while keeping a winning attitude,” Merucrio said. “They were always teaching. I really enjoy teaching players and helping my teammates.”

“The “learning curve” will be just starting for Joe but I feel sure he will accept the challenges and bring some fresh ideas to the Golden Eagles franchise.” Mayotte said.

Mercurio started half of the Golden Eagles eight playoff games, finishing second on the team with 39 putouts as the Glens Falls’ backstop. During the teams’ 4-3 win over against the Saratoga Phillies after 13 innings, the longest game in the 2007 NYCBL Playoffs, Mercurio caught at 13 innings and had six at-bats.

As for the other players, Mercurio doesn’t quite know personally yet, well they may be in for a treat according to Mercurio.

“I expect them to keep the regiments from school, at the same time anything I can add to help I will be more then willing to fix things,” Mercurio said.  “I expect balls to be blocked; runners who should be thrown out to be thrown out and pitches to be called correctly. I will help them out as much as I can but they already know a lot being D-1 catchers.”

At the start of this March, Mercurio helped lead the Maine Black Bears to a five game win streak. During that win streak, Mercurio scored five runs, drove home nine RBI, and batted a whopping .352, including two homeruns, one double, and one walk.

“We have had ups and downs winning and losing games,” Mercurio said.  “We’ve won some we shouldn’t have and lost some we shouldn’t have.  We should win a lot of games in conference.”

Currently riding the Blacks Bears, Mercurio continues to put up impressive numbers. In his past three games, Mercurio holds a .333 batting average, with four hits, two doubles, two RBI, and two runs scored.

“To be honest, I still don’t know what to expect.  I don’t think any of us do,” Mercurio said about Maine’s early success, “We were picked to win the conference so hopefully we can play at that high of a level all season.”

So far this season, Mercurio is having one of his best years as a collegiate baseball player. Mercurio leads the team in doubles (9) and homeruns (3) and ranks second on the team in total bases (41). His 16 runs scored and .315 AVG stand third on the team, while his 23 hits and 14 RBI are good for fourth best on the Black Bears.

Former four-year outfield starter for the Skidmore Thoroughbreds, Matt Ferrari, will serve as a volunteer coach for the Glens Falls Golden Eagles baseball team. But that doesn’t mean he still won’t give a 110% coaching effort and he expects his players to do the same.

“I expect to be present for just about every commitment that comes with being an Assistant Coach in the NYCBL and specifically with the Golden Eagles,” Ferrari said. “Additionally, if any of the athletes desire additional coaching outside of normal practice/game times I will do everything possible to accommodate them.”

Always hustling and giving 110% effort serves as Ferrari coaching creed. During his playing days at Skidmore under head coach Ron Plourde, and other assistants such as Bob Bodgan, who will be working with the Golden Eagles baseball camps this summer, Ferrari learned how to approach the game of baseball.

“The concept of ‘team’ and attempting to achieve a goal toward something much more important than the individual is something I try to instill in all of my players,” Ferrari said.

As a collegiate athlete, Ferrari earned All-Conference and All-Region twice, a team Most Valuable Player Award in 2004, set a school record for hits (55) in a regular season and a career .342 average.

In his senior season at Skidmore, Ferrari led the Thoroughbreds in batting average (.333), at-bats (141), and hits (47), in addition to playing and starting in 40 games. That same season, Ferrari scored 26 runs, smashed eight doubles, knocked home 28 RBI, and totaled 55 bases.

As captain of the 2005 team, Ferrari helped Skidmore win the Liberty League Championship and appeared in NCAA Div. III Regionals.

Ferrari joins fellow first-year Golden Eagles coaches, pitching coach Patrick Carroll and assistant coach Joe Mercurio, in addition to Glens Falls head coach John Mayotte.

“I am familiar with Coach Mayotte and his coaching style through conversations with former assistant coaches of his,” Ferrari said. “Through them I have learned that Coach Mayotte has a passion for baseball that few can emulate.  His attentiveness to detail and knowledge of the game are exceptional.”

The connection between Ferrari other current Golden Eagles coaches doesn’t stop with Head Coach John Mayotte and volunteer coach Bob Bogdan.

Ferrari played his first two collegiate summers alongside current Golden Eagles pitching coach Patrick Carroll in a local summer league in his Rochester hometown. Both also competed against one another while they were in college.

“I was excited to learn that Pat would be joining our staff,” Ferrari said. “I know he was a great player and has been coaching at the collegiate level for sometime since graduating from Ithaca.”

Though this will be Ferrari’s first experience with the NYCBL, he’s been an assistant coach at both the collegiate and high school level.

Ferrari had been aware of the NYCBL during his collegiate playing career, though there were fewer franchises than there are now.

“While I think playing in the league would have been a wonderful experience, I did play in various other collegiate leagues.” Ferrari said.

Most recently Ferrari coached at the collegiate level as an assistant for Catholic University (2009-2010), and at the high school level for Pittsford Sutherland HS (2005-2009). Immediately following graduation, Ferrari served as head coach for the McQuaid American Legion Team in Rochester.

Pinch-hitting in bottom of the ninth for the Milwaukee Brewers, former 2008 Glens Falls Golden Eagles standout outfielder Chad Stang (Midland College) crushed a double off San Francisco Giants reliever Felix Romero in an 8-6 loss.

Stang, a New York Collegiate Baseball League all-star on a Golden Eagles team that finished the season with 30 wins for the second straight year under Glens Falls Golden Eagles head coach John Mayotte and a NYCBL Eastern Division Regular Season Championship, had one of the Brewers three extra base hits.

Both Stang and Brewers top pitching prospect Eric Arnett played for the Golden Eagles in 2008 and were drafted by the Brew Crew in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Arnett remains the Golden Eagles highest MLB draft selection after being taken No. 26 for the Brewers.

Stang, a British Columbian native, totaled 43 hits and 59 bases in 52 games with five doubles, four triples, 13 walks, and 18 RBI for the single-A Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League.

Stang led all Helena hitters in triples.

Right-hand pitcher Arnett appeared in 14 games this season, starting nine, totaling over 34 innings pitched, allowing just one homer to 21 walks, and striking out 35.

Unfortunately for the Brewers, management sent him back to minor league ball before Arnett could showcase his rising fastball and power curve in his spring debut.

“It’s been exciting, and I’m just going to try to get back here next year,” Arnett said a few days before learning about his release from the Brewer roster.

Eric Arnett Videos

Video 1

Video 2

Video 3

BRETT KOEHLER RHP COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY

Freshman has made six appearances with two starts. He had an impressive start against number one ranked Virginia in front of a record breaking crowd at W & M. Brett went five strong innings against the Cavaliers on March 10, allowing only one unearned run on three hits, walked one and struck out six. In a recent start vs. Massachusetts this past Saturday he pitched six innings, allowed only two runs while striking out four to gain his initial collegiate win. Brett has thrown 18+ innings, allowing 16 hits with an ERA of 1.47 which ranks second on the staff. Brett has been selected as the Pitcher of the Week for the Eagles Nest News # 2.

CLAY MURPHY RHP MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Impressive frosh made his longest outing as a collegian at home against Arkansas State on March 17. He pitched seven innings in relief, giving up eight hits, one run, walked one and struck out two. He presently has the lowest ERA (3.38) on the pitching staff.

NATHAN LEWIS RHP TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

Workhorse of the Tarleton staff. He has made 15 appearances in 28 overall contests, has three saves and a 3-4 record. He is the late innings guy, the game on the line performer for TSU. He is holding batters to a .240 average and has a 3.08 ERA. Nate’s longest and most impressive performance came against SE Oklahoma when he got the save, threw three and 2/3 innings, giving up no hits, no runs, walked none and struck out two.

MIKE FERRARO OF/DH UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

Healthy and vastly improved performer for USD. Presently ranks # 2 on the team in average at .378 through 20 games. Against UC Irvine (# 16), he went 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI on March 9. Two days later vs. San Francisco, he was 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Included in that contest was a double and a home run. This 6-for-7 performance catapulted him above a .450 average.

Mike was selected as the Co-Offensive Performer of the Week for the Eagles Nest News # 2

VINNY MEJIA INFIELDER UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS PAN AMERICAN

Extremely consistent offensive performer for the Broncs this season. Presently hitting .383 with four doubles, two homers and 19 RBI. Most amazing stats are his 22 walks in 14 games, an on-base percentage of .587 and a slugging percentage of .596. Against Iowa on 3/19, Vinny went 3-for-5 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored.

On 3/16 vs. Stephen F Austin, he was 2-for-5 with a double, four RBI and two runs scored. In a two game set vs. Notre Dame he went 3-for-5 with four RBI, three runs scored and five walks.

Vinny was selected as the Co-Offensive Player of the Week for the Eagles Nest News # 2.

ARTHUR OWENS OUTFIELDER GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Consistent offensive production this spring. Batting .333 (25-for-75) with three doubles and 12 RBI. Hitting primarily out of lead off position. Ranks # 2 on team in walks and on base percentage. He has only nine strikeouts in 75 at bats. Started every game (21) this season, playing in LF and RF. Arthur had a 3-for-4 game vs. Wofford last weekend with two runs scored and a walk. He was 2-for-3 vs. Wofford on 3/19 with two RBI and a stolen base.

SAM RYAN OF/C/INF. UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Sam went 2-for-4 with a two run home run vs. Alabama on March 17 and was 1-for-2 with an RBI vs. Oklahoma State on March 5th at the Metrodome.

DAVID OLSON P/1B/OF TACOMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

David went 3-for-4 in his initial contest at Tacoma CC. He is batting .333 in the early season and has pitched four innings in relief, giving up one hit, no walks, no runs and striking out four batters.

CHRIS LASHMET INFIELDER NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Chris is hitting .274 (17-for-62) through 18 games this spring. He has two doubles, two triples and one home run. He leads the team in RBI with 13. Against Oklahoma State on March 5, he hit a two run double in the eighth inning and on 3/20 vs. UMBC he had a two run triple, drove in three runs and had seven assists at 3B. Chris was 3-for-4 with two RBI vs. Nevada-Las Vegas on 3/11. He had a two run single in the eighth inning vs. Loyola Marymount to pad a 1-0 lead in an eventual 3-0 win on 3/6.

WILLIE BEARD RHP RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

Pitching as a starter (3 games) and a reliever (3 games). Has a 1-1 record, ranks # 2 in innings pitched on the staff (20 IP). Faced powerhouse teams like Georgia Tech, Florida Atlantic, Florida International and Old Dominion so far. Pitched effectively in relief vs. FAU, throwing two innings and allowing no hits or runs, walking one and striking out two batters.

JUSTIN OLSEN CATCHER RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

Justin came off the bench and went 2-for-2 with one run scored on 3/16 at Florida Atlantic for his first collegiate hits. He is presently batting .250.

DAN PENDLETON RHP SIENA COLLEGE

Dan has made two appearances of late, out of the bullpen, for the Saints. On March 13 vs. Georgia, he threw two and 1/3 innings allowing no hits or runs, walked one and struck out one. On March 20 he pitched two innings vs. New York Tech allowing no hits, runs, walked one and struck out three hitters.

T.J. RIVERA INFIELDER TROY UNIVERSITY

T.J. is hitting .333 with six doubles, six homers and 21 RBI on the season. He leads the team with a .681 slugging percentage. In the Sun Belt Conference final contest vs. Florida International this past weekend in Miami, he was 3-for-4 with three doubles, four RBI and two runs scored. In the first game of that series he went 2-for-4 with a two run homer and a run scored. In a mid-week contest vs. North Florida he was 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. T.J. is fielding at a .974 clip with two errors in 78 chances.

KEENEN MADDOX OUTFIELDER MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Rebounding from a slow start, he has raised his average to .256 with three doubles and a triple.

BARRETT NOIRFALISE LHP/OUTFIELDER MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

He has raised his average to .267 with three RBI. He threw his first inning as a MSU Bear and gave up one hit in a scoreless inning.

TYLER DONOVAN CATCHER WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Stellar defensive performer as a freshman. Base stealers are successful only 56% in stealing situations thus far in 2010. Hitting .258 with one home run and four RBI. Started 14 games and played in 16 contests overall. Tyler was 1-for-2 with his first collegiate homer and two runs scored on 3/12 against Toledo.

ZAK BLAIR INFIELDER/OUTFIELDER WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Versatile player who has played second base, left field and center field so far this spring. Hitting .233 with three doubles and nine RBI. Zak went 3-for-5 vs. Harvard with a double, RBI and run scored on 3/16.

RYAN RETZ INFIELDER/RHP PIMA COLLEGE

Ryan got off to a poor start to the spring season after missing the fall season because of football obligations. Lately he has been resurgent with improved production as a hitter and a reliever out of the Pima bullpen. He has his average up to a season high of .230 playing in every game. Batting .360+ over the last week.

JAMES DYKSTRA RHP/OUTFIELDER YAVAPAI COLLEGE

Pitching neophyte, starting in spring of 2009 at Rancho Bernardo HS because of injury and plays both ways at Yavapai this spring. Highest level prospect as pitcher with huge upside. Major league arm strength and developing mechanics and command. James has a 1-0 record and a 3.85 ERA this spring. His batting average is .241 through 26 games.

JAMES MCNAMARA LHP ANNA MARIA COLLEGE

Jim has a 1-2 record with a 4.26 ERA. He leads his team in starts (3), innings pitched (19) and complete games (1) while holding batters to a .293 average.

ARTHUR OWENS    OUTFIELDER   GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

Leadoff hitter for the Eagles as a freshman. Presently batting .375 (9-for-24) with three RBI in seven games. Arthur had a two-hit game vs. No. 3 ranked Georgia Tech on Feb. 24 and another two-hit game vs. Tennessee Tech on Feb. 19. He leads the team in on base percentage at .515.

TYLER DONOVAN    CATCHER   WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Outstanding freshman catcher with excellent defensive skills. He has produced offensively with a .417 batting average in six games with four starts. He had a 3-for-3 performance vs. Wagner on Feb. 28 with two runs scored.

ZAK BLAIR    INFIELDER    WINTHROP UNIVERSITY

Red shirt freshman is hitting .400 so far this season in seven games. His outstanding performance in the early season was against Marshall on Feb. 21. He went 4-for-5 with two doubles and four RBI.

SAM RYAN    UTILITY    UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

Extremely versatile Golden Gopher sophomore has three starts and is batting .364 (4-for-11). He was 2-for-4 vs. No. 11 ranked Louisville and was 2-for-2 vs. Akron.

TJ RIVERA    INFIELDER    TROY UNIVERSITY

The junior JC transfer from Wallace-Dothan has been extremely productive in the early season. He is hitting .304 (7-for-23) with five home runs and 12 RBI. His slugging percentage is at .957. He also has not made an error in 25 chances. TJ has been selected as the Eagles Nest News # 1 Player of the Week for his efforts.

WILLIE BEARD    PITCHER   RUTGERS UNIVERSITY

Willie has two starts in the early season with no record. He started against the University of Miami and Purdue University. Against No. 12 ranked Miami, he threw five innings allowed seven hits and five runs and left the game in a 5-5 tie. Against Purdue on 2/28 he pitched five innings again and gave up three earned runs and left the game with a 3-3 score.

CHRIS LASHMET    INFIELDER    NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Returning offensive star from 2009 Golden Eagles team has been off to a good spring season. Batting out of the No. 4 spot in the batting order, he is hitting .320 (8-for-25) with a double, triple and home run with three RBI. He went 4-for-6 in his last two games in the Big Ten/Big East Challenge games in Florida last weekend vs. Seton Hall and Rutgers.. Chris had a two hit game vs. George Mason on 2/18 including a double.

ALEX CARNALL    OUTFIELDER    UNIV. OF TEXAS PAN AMERICAN

Junior JC transfer from Cisco JC (TX) has been a catalyst in the early going for the “Broncs”, hitting out of the No. 3 spot in the order. He is hitting .438 (7-for-16) with two doubles, two triples and seven RBI. He leads the team in total bases (13), slugging percentage (.813) through four games. Alex went 4-for-5 vs. Prairie View A & M on 2/27 with two doubles and two RBI.

VINNY MEJIA    INFIELDER    UNIV. OF TEXAS PAN AMERICAN

Sophomore JC transfer from El Paso CC is batting .556 (5-for-9). He has an unbelievable nine walks in four games with a .750 on-base percentage. Vinny bats in the No. 4 hole for UTPA.

MIKE FERRARO    OUTFIELDER/DH    UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO

Key returnee from the 2009 squad. Presently the red shirt junior is batting .333 (5-for-15) for the Toreros in six games with two RBI. Mike had a 2-for-3 game vs. Indiana on 2/19 in San Diego.

BRETT KOEHLER    PITCHER    COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY

Freshman right hander is off to a good start to his college career. He has pitched in two games, throwing five innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, walking four and striking out seven. Against No. 1 LSU on 2/28, he threw three innings, allowed one earned run, walked two and struck out two. Against Maryland-Eastern Shore, he pitched two innings, allowing no hits, no runs, walked two and struck out five batters. His ERA is a team low 1.69.

MATT WILLIAMS    PITCHER    HUTCHINSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Started the opening game of the season. Threw four innings, giving up one hit, no earned runs, walked two and struck out four for win No. 1 on the season.

NATHAN LEWIS    PITCHER    TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

Nathan has been busy in the early season, appearing in seven of the first 16 contests. He has two saves, a 1-3 record, a 3.00 ERA and is holding hitters to a .220 average.

KYLE SUMPLE    PITCHER    SIENA COLLEGE

Kyle has started two games vs. Stetson and Central Florida. His more effective stint was against UCF on Feb. 28 when he pitched seven innings and gave up three earned runs on seven hits, walked three and struck out seven. He departed with a 5-4 lead in an eventual 6-5 loss in Orlando.

KEENEN MADDOX    OUTFIELDER    MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

Keenen doubled in his first career at bat with MSU. He has started slowly with the bat but has a great upside, batting cleanup in his early games as a collegiate player.