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Derek Johnson Named National Pitching Coach of the Year 8/19/2004
Derek Johnson Named National Pitching Coach of the Year Allen Joins Staff; Black & Gold Dates Set; Summer Update Vanderbilt assistant coach Derek Johnson has been named Collegiate Baseball‘s National College Pitching Coach of the Year sponsored by JC Video. Johnson, who just finished his third season with the Commodores, mentored the Commodore pitching staff to a 3.34 ERA, which led the Southeastern Conference and was seventh in the nation. Vanderbilt had its most successful season in school history, including a school record 45 wins and first-ever appearance in the NCAA Super Regional. The Commodores ended the season with a 45-19 record, advanced to the SEC Championship game and were two wins away from the College World Series. Since Johnson’s arrival, the Commodore’s team ERA has dropped more than three runs — from 6.45 in 2001 to 3.34 last season. Last season’s staff pitched 575.1 innings, numbered a school record 518 strikeouts and 17 saves. Left-handed pitcher Jeremy Sowers became the third Vanderbilt pitcher in history and the first since 1979 to record 10 victories in a season. Sowers became the highest draft pick ever for the Commodores when he was the #6 overall pick (Cleveland Indians). Blake Allen Joins Coaching Staff Vanderbilt Head Baseball Coach Tim Corbin has announced that Blake Allen has joined the Commodore staff as the team’s volunteer assistant coach. Allen replaces Michael Holder who was named assistant coach at South Carolina-Aiken. Allen, who began his collegiate career at DePauw, is a 2001 graduate of Blackburn College. While at Blackburn, he received all-conference honors in both baseball and football and still holds many receiving football records. Follwing graduation, Allen was a graduate assistant at DePauw where he coached baseball and football for two seasons. In 2004, he moved to Franklin College where he was the baseball recruiting coordinator. He also worked with the catchers, hitters and strength and conditioning program and helped guide the team to the second most wins in school history. The Grizzlies also set the school record for homeruns in a season. He also served as a football coach working primarily with the linebackers and special teams. Allen will work with the Commodore catchers and hitters and will assist John Moore with the Commodore’s strength and conditioning program. Black and Gold Games The Vanderbilt Baseball Fall Black and Gold Games will be played Oct. 8-10 at Hawkins Field. The complete schedule follows: Friday, October 8 – 6 p.m. Summer League Update Following is an update on the Vanderbilt Commodores who played in the 2004 Summer Leagues, including the all-league selections, all-star game participants and the Baseball America top prospects. Vanderbilt Baseball in the 2004 Summer Leagues SUMMER LEAGUE ALL-LEAGUE SELECTIONS SUMMER LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME SELECTIONS BASEBALL AMERICA COLLEGE SUMMER LEAGUE TOP PROSPECTS Commodores Who Played in the 2004 Summer Leagues (listed alphabetically): Mike Baxter (6-0, Jr., 1B/DH) – Cape Cod League – Hyannis Led the team with a .267 average (44-165)?totaled team-leading 44 hits, including one double, one triple and one home run?totaled 16 RBI? Cameron Betourne (5-9, Fr., LHP) – Coastal Plains League – Thomasville 28.0 innings with 31 strikeouts?1-2 at the plate Matt Buschmann (6-3, Jr., RHP) – Cape Cod League-Hyannis 4-3 record?3.29 ERA?54.2 innings?39 strikeouts, 10 walks Cody Crowell – New England Collegiate League, Riverpoint Made 21 appearances going 30.2 innings striking out 37?totaled seven saves Ty Davis – Central llinois League, Danville Fourth in the league in saves with three?made 16 appearances and finished eight games?all 16 games were in relief?owned a 1.31 ERA in 34.1 innings?owned a 3-3 record Greg Del George (5-11, Fr., IF) – Coastal Plains – Asheboro Copper Played in 37 games, while starting in 27?.247 batting average (22-89)?totaled five doubles and one triple?numbered 11 RBI and was 5-10 in stolen bases Warner Jones – Cape Cod League, Wareham Seventh in the league with a .303 average?played in all 44 games and went 57-188 for a team-leading .303 average? his 57 hits led the league (second place was 49 hits)?Totaled league-leading16 doubles, one triple and team-leading 21 RBI Gil Kim (5-6, Sr., IF) – New York League – Saratoga Played in 38 games, while starting in 36?Was 38-133 for a .286 batting average?Numbered 28 runs, 10 RBI and six stolen bases Jensen Lewis – Cape Cod League, Falmouth Owned a 4-0 record with a 1.73 ERA?Started eight games with one complete game?Pitched 52 innings and numbered 53 strikeouts and 15 walks?Starting pitcher in championship game Matt McGraner (6-2, Jr., C) – New England Collegiate League – Riverpoint 24 games played, including 22 starts? .225 batting average?18 hits, including four doubles and one homerun Greg Moviel (6-6, So., LHP) – New England Collegiate League – Keene 7 games, 7 starts?38 innings?with 31 strikeouts?0-2 record Ryan Mullins – Cape Cod League, Chatham Owned a 5-1 record and 1.82 ERA?54.1 innings pitched?started all seven games and totaled two complete games which led the league?Totaled 64 strikeouts and only seven walks. His 64 strikeouts ranked fourth in the league?Pitched league-leading two shutouts? Nick Pilkington (6-4, Jr., RHP) – Atlantic Coast League – New Jersey 8 appearances with two starts?one complete game?1-3?13.1 innings pitched with 14 strikeouts Tyler Rhoden (6-2, So., RHP) – Valley League – Staunton 4 games, 4 starts?21.0 innings?3.43 ERA?0-1 record?17 strikeouts, two walks Stephen Shao ( 5-11, So., LHP/OF) – Coastal Plains League – Thomasville Made seven appearances, including six starts?Owned a 3-2 record?pitched 32.2 innings and totaled 19 strikeouts Jeff Sues – Atlantic Collegiate League, New Jersey Two-time Player of the Week?top prospect in the Atlantic Collegiate League?owned a 1.12 ERA and a league leading .145 opposing batting average?Made seven appearances, including six starts with a 4-1 record?40 innings, 44 strikeouts, including 16 looking? Rucker Taylor (5-10, Jr., SS) – Coastal Plains League – Thomasville Played in 18 games, while starting in 17?was 12-54 for a .222 average?Had two doubles and three RBI Mike Wagner – Valley League, Winchester League’s pitching champion with a 1.68 ERA which led the league?6-0 overall record, including a start and win in the All-Star game for the North Team?55.1 innings, 75 strikeouts and only seven walks Matt Zeller – Great Lakes Collegiate League, Stark County All-Great Lakes Second Team Selection?Played in 37 games while starting in 35?owned a .291 batting average with 37 hits, including one double and one home run?numbered 20 runs and was 4-6 in stolen bases (*Ty Davis, Cody Crowell, Greg Del George, Cameron Betourne were redshirts last season and will have freshman eligibility in 2005) |
