by Mark Rappaport and Eamonn Ryan | photo courtesy Ryan Chasse
Junior right-handed pitcher John West’s seven innings at the 11th annual ALS Awareness Game at Fenway Park to cap off Boston College’s decisive 8-4 victory over Notre Dame on Friday, May 19 were a new career high for him, but there was an underlying significance for the Shrewsbury, Massachusetts native.
Friday’s game was a longtime coming for West, who grew up a lifelong Red Sox fan and lost his father at the age of thirteen to ALS.
West dominated in the dramatic series finale, giving up just one run in the first seven innings of the game. West recorded the win with seven innings and four strikeouts, while giving up three earned runs, four hits and two walks.
In the eighth, West struggled, walking the first batter and hitting the second, both of which would eventually score.
The right-hander looked strong in his 5.2 innings of work in an ACC Tournament game against Clemson on Friday, May 26, striking out seven batters and allowing just one hit. He was up against fellow Whitecap Austin Gordon of the Tigers, who went six shutout innings with just two hits allowed.
Shevchik hits 700 wins in 21st season
Whitecaps and Keystone College head coach Jamie Shevchik earned his 700th career win with an 8-7 victory over St. Elizabeth in the Colonial States Athletic Conference tournament on May 10. The Giants rolled to a CSAC championship on May 13 with a 10-8 win over Wilson College.
Shevchik’s squad qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament before bowing out with a loss to Washington and Jefferson on May 20, finishing the season at 30-14 and 17-1 in conference play. It was Shevchik’s 18th-consecutive conference championship.
Cozart, Liggett earn All-ACC, national honors
NC State sophomore catcher Jacob Cozart was named a Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The award annually recognizes the top player in college baseball.
After a season where he slashed a .320 average and drove in 25 runs with a .589 slugging percentage, Cozart also earned Second Team All-ACC honors.
He was joined on that list of ACC stars by Louisville righty Carson Liggett, who finished the regular season with a 7-2 record, 3.42 ERA and 64 punchouts in his 71 innings of work.
Jones, Diaz shine in star-studded SEC
LSU freshman catcher Jared Jones had an impressive first season, hitting .307 in the regular season and finishing second on the Tigers in home runs with 14 and third on the team with 45 RBI. This was enough for him to earn a spot on the SEC All-Freshman team.
On the defensive side, Vanderbilt sophomore infielder Davis Diaz showed off his glove at the hot corner, helping out the second-best team defense in the SEC with web gem after web gem and earning a SEC All-Defensive Team nod. He also had 48 RBI, second on the Commodores.
Turner’s hot hitting stands out in Sun Belt
Sophomore outfielder Will Turner mashed a team-high .349 average during the regular season for South Alabama, earning him Second Team All-Sun Belt honors. He also drove in 52 runs and launched nine homers, posting an OPS of 1.051.