03/15/2011 – Turks Tidbits
Written By Casey Zeiders James Madison University Sports Management Intern
HARRISONBURG- Welcome back Turks faithful to another Turks Player Round Up. Only four weeks into the college baseball season and many Turks are still putting on astounding performances.
Junior Ryan Chapman of the University of Rio Grande has been pitching great for the Red Storm. The righty has 1.08 ERA in 8.1 innings pitched this season. Chapman (1-0) pitched the final three innings to get the win in relief for the Red Storm in a 7-4 victory over Lindsey Wilson. He also now has six strikeouts and three saves on the season.
LaSalle University’s Pat Christensen is still putting up enormous numbers for the Explorers. Through seven games, he has picked up two saves and a win while striking out 12 batters. He has posted a 1.74 ERA, which is second on the team. He has appeared in 10.1 innings while only walking one batter.
Justin Somers is continuing to be an extraordinary pitcher for Wingate University. He started the final game of a series vs. Catawba and earned his third win of the season. He pitched five scoreless innings while fanning five batters on route to the win. Somers in now 3-1 with five saves this season. He’s currently dominating batters by keeping them to a .156 average and a 1.02 ERA. The sophomore right-hander has given up only two earned runs all season and has struck out 25 batters.
Wingate University’s other star this season has been Dodson McPherson. The preseason All-Conference selection has been everything the team expected and more. After just 29 games, McPherson is first on his team in hits (40) and runs (28). He has also drove in an impressive 26 RBIs and seven doubles. For the season, he is batting .345 with three home runs.
Brett Mazmanian of the Ouachita Tigers is having a huge year too. In Ouachita Baptist’s lone win in the inaugural Mulerider Baseball Classic, Mazmanian went 2-5 with two RBIs in a 12-5 victory over Arkansas-Monticello. Through 20 games, Mazmanian has 19 hits and has stolen five bases. He is also currently batting .317 with 11 RBIs.
USC Aiken’s J.J. Loker has been on a tear this season. The Pacers sophomore currently has scored 16 runs and has 20 hits in just 22 games. He has driven in 16 RBIs and has stolen five bases this season as well. Loker has helped lead the Pacers to a #17 ranking in the nation.
Each week, more and more Turks have been making headlines all over the nation. Whether they’re striking out batters or hitting the long ball, Turks are popping up everywhere by putting on exceptional performances. It is only four weeks into the college baseball season, and we, here in Harrisonburg, already cannot wait for the Valley League season this summer.
Go Turks!