Player Round Up Three

03/22/2011 – Turks Tidbits

Written By Casey Zeiders James Madison University Sports Management Intern

HARRISONBURG- Welcome back Turks fans, it’s time to pry yourself away from your brackets and get excited for another weekly round up. I know it’s March Madness and our minds are on college basketball (lets be honest all of our brackets are busted anyways), but while we have some time until the next round of games start let’s talk Turks baseball.

Dillon Haviland of Duke University has been coming on strong as of late. He currently has posted a 1.06 ERA in six appearances this season. The freshman has allowed just two runs in 17.0 innings this season. The southpaw held NC Central to five scoreless innings, and held Clemson to only three hits through five innings. He has also struck out 13 batters on the year.

Another standout freshman for the Blue Devils is Chris Marcontini. He hit his first home run of the year, helping Duke to a 4-1 victory over Charlotte. It was a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. He is now batting .321 on the season with 23 RBIs. The freshman has also put up 27 hits, six of them doubles and six triples.

Justin Somers of Wingate is continuing to put up impressive numbers. He has only given up three earned runs in 24.0 innings this season. Somers also has recorded 32 strikeouts and five saves this season. He’s been unhittable this season, holding batters to a 1.12 ERA and only a .176 batting average.

Duke isn’t the only school with multiple Turks, Wingate has another one of our stars. Dodson McPherson has been great for the Explorer this season. In a double header against Newberry McPherson went 5-10 with six RBIs, including a grand slam to tie the second game at 6-6. He is batting .353 and has 34 RBIs this season. McPherson has also posted an impressive 47 hits, including nine doubles, three triples, and four home runs.

Ouachita Baptist University Junior Brock Green is progressing as the season goes on as well. Green is hitting his stride with a current 3-4 four runs scored and two RBI performance in an astounding 23-9 win. Fellow Turk Brett Mazmanian went 3-5 with four RBIs in the game. Green has 18 hits, 7 of which are doubles, and 10 RBIs this season.

Jonathon “Mac Williamson of Wake Forest is finally getting going. After a slow start, the redshirt sophomore is playing up to his coach’s prediction. Mac’s bio states that his coach Tom Walter believes he is becoming a pro prospect, “Mac has turned himself into a professional prospect and a legitimate power threat. His flat out scary batting practice is starting to translate into games. He can run, throw, hit for average and hit for power. It may take him a third of the season before he is consistent, as he is still a very young hitter, but by April he will be a very dangerous man at the plate.” Williamson has 18 hits, five doubles and two home runs, and 14 RBIs this season. He has recorded three stolen bases and has scored 10 runs.

Even during March Madness our Turks are making headlines throughout the nation. Each week another steps up for their team and makes news somewhere.

GO Turks!