June 8, 2016
Nashville, Tenn. – Three Vanderbilt freshmen have earned Freshman All-American status from Collegiate Baseball with Alonzo Jones, Ethan Paul and Patrick Raby picking up the honor.
Jones posted a strong first season for the Commodores hitting .285 with 18 extra-base hits and driving in a freshman team-high 35 runs. The Columbus, Ga. native played in 49 games, and started 46 games all over the diamond. Jones’ name was on the starting lineup card for games as the Dores’ designated hitter, second baseman, shortstop and left field in his first season. The start to his freshman campaign was impressive as he drove in seven runs and went 5-for-10 during the Commodores’ opening weekend series sweep of San Diego. His third game ever in the black and gold saw him go 3-for-3 with a career-best five RBI.
Paul led all freshmen hitters on the VU roster with a .305 average while scoring 33 runs and collecting 20 extra-base hits, including four home runs. The Bellevue, Wash. native was a staple in Tim Corbin’s lineup most of the year playing in 54 games and starting 45. A versatile infielder, Paul saw time at second base, shortstop and first base while also starting games as the team’s designated hitter. Paul moved into the starting lineup in early March and drove in six runs in his first three starts at second base. A broken finger on his throwing hand shifted him to first base and DH for the Dores in mid-April, where finished for the team down the stretch. He led the team’s freshmen with 13 multi-hit games, including a career-high four-hit game against Washington in the final game of the season.
Raby contributed in several roles for the Commodores’ pitching staff in his first year on West End. The right-hander from Knoxville, Tenn. pitched in 15 games for the Dores, making 10 starts. Raby was phenomenal in his first career start against Eastern Illinios in late February taking a no hitter into the seventh inning before eventually turning in seven one-hit innings with a career-best 11 strikeouts. He made his Southeastern Conference debut against league champion Mississippi State in March and notched his first career save with 2.1 no-hit innings. He moved into the weekend rotation against Kentucky with four scoreless innings on April 17 and started five more games against SEC teams. His performance against Missouri in the SEC Tournament helped the Commodores to an opening round win over the Tigers as the righty twirled six scoreless innings and allowed only two hits.
The trio joins a long list of Commodores to earn Freshman All-American honors, including teammates Jeren Kendall, Bryan Reynolds, Hayden Stone, Will Toffey and Kyle Wright. Since Tim Corbin’s arrival in 2003, 19 Commodores have earned Freshman All-American status from various media outlets.