Wednesday, May 7, 2008

TUSCULUM BASEBALL LISTED IN NCAA STATISTICS

INDIANAPOLIS --- The Tusculum College baseball leads the nation in triples according to this week’s NCAA Division II statistics. The Pioneers (40-13) have recorded 33 triples this season, which are the second most in school history. Tusculum led the country last year with a school and South Atlantic Conference record 41 triples.

The Pioneers are listed in the top 50 in 15 team categories, while four TC players are mentioned in the individual statistics.

Tusculum is second in the land in triples per game, averaging 0.62 per contest. TC is also ranked seventh in sacrifice flies (34), eighth in earned run average (3.24), 13^th in won-lost percentage (.755), 17^th in hits allowed per nine innings (8.66), 21^st in walks (233), 26^th in stolen bases (94), 35^th in hits (579), 35^th in runs scored (424), 36^th in strikeouts per nine innings pitched (7.6), 37^th in stolen bases per game (1.77), 39^th in scoring (8.0 rpg), 40^th in double plays (45) and 49^th in double plays per game (0.85).

Senior second baseman Maikol Gonzalez is second in the country with his .476 batting average. That average is on pace to break the school and conference season marks. The two-time All-SAC First Team standout is listed 36^th nationally in runs per game (1.26), 21^st in runs scored (67), and fourth in hits. His 99 hits are the second most in TC and SAC history. The 2008 SAC Tournament MVP is also 29^th in doubles (20), 27^th in triples per game (0.13), 11^th in triples (7), 22^nd in total bases (148), 14^th in on-base percentage (.533), 35^th in stolen bases per game and 19^th in stolen bases. Gonzalez’s 29 stolen bases are currently tied for the most in school history. He needs one more to break the school season mark set by teammate Christian Rosa in 2007.

Rosa, a senior catcher/outfielder, has his named peppered throughout this week’s statistical report. The two-time All-SAC First Team honoree is 10^th in runs per game (1.37) and eighth in runs scored. Rosa has scored 70 runs this year, which is a new school season record. He is also listed 25^th in triples per game (0.14), 11^th in triples (7), 43^rd in slugging percentage (.725), 46^th in on-base percentage (.511), and 39^th in walks (36).

Senior outfielder Carlos Rivera is ranked in six categories including: 23^rd in runs per game (1.31), 15^th in runs scored (68), 35^th in hits (83), 26^th in triples per game (0.13), 11^th in triples (7) and 31^st in toughest to strikeout (17.8).

Junior pitcher Boo Morrow has the 17^th best ERA in the country at 1.87. Morrow, a 2008 All-SAC First Team selection, has posted a perfect 7-0 record this season and is 11-0 in his career at Tusculum.

Tusculum is currently ranked No. 14 in NCAA Division II and has already clinched a berth to next week’s NCAA II South Regional. Location of the regional and seeding will be announced by the NCAA on Sunday. The Pioneers will be making their second straight NCAA postseason appearance and fourth in the last six years.

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