Biography
Mathematics major … Former small-school standout who emerged in 2015 as a power threat at the plate and a hard-throwing asset on the mound … Figures to continue in both roles moving forward … 2015: Played in 50 games (38 starts), hitting .228 with five home runs and 22 RBIs … As a pitcher, made 11 appearances (two starts), going 1-1 with two saves, a 6.48 ERA and 13 strikeouts and eight walks in 25 innings … Homered and went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored in win at Southeastern Oklahoma State on Feb. 10 … Had two RBIs in win over Dakota State (S.D.) on Feb. 15 … Pitched two innings of shutout relief to earn his first career save in 8-5 win over Texas A&M International on March 20 … Had quite a series against Newman (Kan.) on March 27-28 … Went 4-for-6 with a double, an RBI and three runs scored in a 14-11 OC win on the 27th … The next day, went 3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored and also picked up the pitching win, allowing one run in three innings as OC rallied to prevail 10-6 … On March 31, his hot streak continued with a 2-for-4, three-RBI effort in win over NAIA power Oklahoma City University … The following week was the greatest of his career to date … In five games – all wins – he went 7-for-17 with seven RBIs, six runs scored and an amazing four home runs – two in a win over Southeastern Oklahoma State on April 6 (he also had three RBIs), one in a win the next day at Oklahoma City University and another in a win over Oklahoma Panhandle State on April 11 … Not surprisingly, he was named as the Heartland Conference hitter of the week and the NCCAA student-athlete of the week … Doubled and had two RBIs in win over St. Mary’s (Texas) on April 17, capping a seven-game hitting streak … Second career save came on April 26 at Lubbock Christian (Texas), when he struck out three in 2 1/3 innings to help preserve a 10-8 win … 2014: Played in 17 games (three starts), hitting .333 with two home runs and eight RBIs … Also made two pitching appearances, both in relief, finishing 0-0 with a 3.00 ERA and two strikeouts and one walk in three innings … Named to the Heartland Conference academic Honor Roll’s Commissioner’s List … Made collegiate debut on Feb. 14 against Pittsburg State (Kan.) … Started the next day against Pittsburg State and went 1-for-3 with a stolen base as OC won 8-1 … Recorded first career RBI on March 21 in 10-1 win over Rogers State, hitting a pinch-hit double … Made pitching debut on April 4 against Newman (Kan.), allowing two runs (one earned) and one hit as OC lost 13-4 … First career home run, a two-run shot, came on April 11 in an 18-6 win over Ecclesia (Ark.) … On May 2 at Oklahoma Panhandle State, pitched an inning of scoreless relief as OC won 14-3 … Went 1-for-2 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored in 16-13 win at Oklahoma Panhandle State on May 3 … In NCCAA Central Region opener against Crowley’s Ridge (Ark.) on May 6, went 2-for-2 with two RBIs as OC won 23-7 … Previous school: Attended Southwest Covenant School in Yukon … Played baseball for Union City High School, which had a cooperative agreement with Southwest Covenant … A three-time first-team selection on The Oklahoman’s Little All-City honor team and also made the newspaper’s All-City reserve team once … Made the newspaper’s reserve All-State baseball team once and received honorable mention All-State laurels three times … Also named to the Oklahoma Coaches Association’s Small West All-State team … As a senior, he played first base and hit .478 with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs .. Of his 43 hits, 32 went for extra bases … As a junior, hit .495 with 10 home runs, 54 RBIs and 21 stolen bases … During his sophomore season, hit two grand slams in one inning in a win over Calumet, becoming only the third prep player ever documented to do so … Smashed 43 home runs during his prep career … Also starred in basketball for Southwest Covenant … Made The Oklahoman’s Little All-City honorable mention list three times and was a two-time All-State honorable mention selection … As a senior, he averaged 15.2 points per game and he averaged 15.7 points per game during his prep career.
