04/13/2011 – Turks Tidbits
James Madison University
Sports Management Intern
HARRISONBURG- Turks fans, I’m pleased to present you with another Weekly Round Up. This week we had a few freshmen really start to make a name for themselves at their schools. This summer is really starting to look like it’s going to be an exhilarating one for Turks fans.
Brett Mazmanian of Ouachita Baptist University has been more than impressive this season. The Tigers utility man has been a force everywhere on the diamond. Mazmanian currently is batting an incredible .354 in 37 games played this season. This past week Mazmanian knocked in his third home run of the year against Arkansas Tech. He also finished the week batting .286 with three runs batted in and scoring four times. Mazmanian has batted in 24 runs on the season, as well as scoring 25 times himself. He has 45 hits this season, nine of which are doubles. Mazmanian has been a force on the base path as well by stealing 11 bags.
James Madison’s own Tyler McFarland has been exceptional in his first year with the Dukes. This week, the freshman batted .286 and knocked in five runs. He also scored twice and stole his fourth base of the season. For the season, McFarland has scored 22 times and has 38 hits; eleven doubles, one triple, and two homeruns. McFarland, who is the son of JMU’s head coach Spanky McFarland, also has 26 runs batted in and is presently batting .328. The freshman has also recorded eleven strikeouts in 14.2 innings pitched this season.
Another freshman making an impact in their first year is Dillon Ortman of Auburn University. He is starting to pitch exceptionally for the Tigers, earning his first two saves of the season this week. Both of his saves came against the Kentucky Wildcats. In both games he pitched 3.1 innings, while giving up no runs or hits. He also pitched the final two innings against Vanderbilt. For the week he only gave up one hit and no earned runs. He also struck out two batters in 5.2 innings of work. For the season, the freshman righty has struck out 15 batters and is holding them to a .267 average.
The Duke Blue Devils have a standout sophomore this season in Chris Marcontini. In five games this past week, Marcontini went an astonishing 9-16, a .568 average, and scored twice. He also scored six batters and hit three doubles in the week. Marcontini has stepped up big for the Blue Devils this season, and his versatility has allowed his coaches to play him at multiple positions. Through 33 games, Marcontini has 39 hits; nine doubles, six triples, and two homeruns. He has also scored 26 times and has 30 runs batted in. Marcontini is currently batting an imposing .312 and has stolen six bases as well.
Mac Williamson from Wake Forest has been enormous for the Demon Deacons this season. After a slow start, Williamson has been getting better and better as the season wears on. Williamson put up extraordinary numbers this past week as well for the Deacons. Williamson finished up the week batting .381, raising his season average to .305. In the six games this past week he also batted in four runs and walked twice. Williamson also hit his fifth homerun of the season and stole two bases in the week. For the season, Williamson has 24 RBIs and 19 runs scored. He also has 36 hits, eight of them doubles, in 32 games played.
The Turks players are gearing up for an exciting summer. From freshman to seniors, every single one is shining on their respective teams. Be ready for a fun summer Harrisonburg!
Go Turks!!