It’s been two weeks since our last update on the dozen or so local ballplayers making strides at the college level. I’ll try to keep you up to date on their success this season. Below are 2015 statistics for each player through March 30.
Player, grade, position, college, high school
Joe O’Donnell, sophomore, RHP, N.C. State, Hoggard
North Carolina State earned a three-game sweep over Pitt and picked up its sixth straight win on Sunday thanks to a big effort from right-handed hurler Joe O’Donnell.
O’Donnell earned the win in the series finale as the sophomore allowed just one unearned run on two hits over 6.1 innings, with three walks and four strikeouts. The former Hoggard standout also tossed a perfect sixth inning in a victory for the Wolfpack on Friday.
For the season, O’Donnell has a 3-0 record and a 1.35 ERA. He’s thrown 26.2 innings in 12 appearances, while opposing hitters are batting just .187 against the sophomore. O’Donnell is third on the team in innings pitched, he has allowed seven runs–four earned–with eight walks and 26 strikeouts.
Trevor Kelley, senior, RHP, University of North Carolina, Ashley
Kelley continues to be the go-to pitcher out of the Carolina bullpen with 19 appearances in 27 games this season. The senior side winder has a 2-1 record, two saves and a 1.87 ERA. In 33.2 innings pitched, Kelley has allowed 10 runs–seven earned–on 27 hits, with five walks and 31 strikeouts. Opposing hitters are batting just .220 against the former Ashley High School standout.
Bryan Sammons, sophomore, LHP, Western Carolina, Hoggard
Western Carolina picked up a three-game sweep over the Citadel this past weekend and Sammons got the start on the mound for the Catamounts on Saturday. The sophomore southpaw pitched six solid innings, with four strikeouts and a pair of walks. He allowed four runs to cross the plate, while giving up eight hits. Sammons is 2-3 on the bump, with a 6.03 earned run average. He has logged the most innings of any Catamount pitcher with 34.1 innings pitched. Sammons has started six games, with eight appearances and 29 strikeouts.
Sam Foy, junior, 2B, Davidson, New Hanover
Davidson dropped two out of three games to Saint Louis over the weekend as Foy went a combined 3-for-13, with two RBIs and a run scored. For the season, the junior infielder is hitting .303-second best on the team-with 27 hits in 89 at-bats and has started all 22 games for the Wildcats. Foy has six doubles, nine runs and nine RBIs for the year.
Steven Linkous, junior, OF, UNCW, North Brunswick
Steven Linkous continues to set the table atop the UNCW lineup as the Seahawks took 2-of-3 from Towson in a Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) series this past weekend in Maryland.
Linkous went 5-for-15 during the series with one double, one walk and three runs scored. He also finished with two stolen bases. For the season, Linkous is hitting .327, has started in all 27 games for the Seahawks, with 11 stolen bases, 10 RBIs and 24 runs scored.
Chance Shepard, junior, C, N.C. State, Ashley
Chance Shepard went 1-for-1 with an RBI in his only at-bat for the weekend for N.C. State.
The junior has started 10 games, with a .216 batting average. He has two doubles, one home run and six runs batted in.
Shane Shepard, freshman, INF, N.C. State, Ashley
Shane Shepard is 1-for-12 as a freshman.
Pete Wildeboer, sophomore, Methodist, Laney
Wildeboer has started 27 games as a sophomore for Methodist so far this season. The former Laney High School standout is hitting .322, with four doubles, two triples and 11 runs batted in. He has a .408 on base percentage for a Monarch club that has a 21-7 overall record.
Scott Johnson, senior, INF, Gardner Webb
Johnson is 20-for-88 at the plate, with a .227 average. The senior infielder has played in 28 games, with 12 runs scored and one triple.
Colin Thacker, sophomore, C, OF, Gardner Webb, New Hanover
Thacker has started in all 28 games this season and hitting .262. The sophomore has 27 hits in 103 at-bats, with one home run, five doubles and 18 runs batted in.
Eric Eason, sophomore, UNC-Charlotte, Ashley
Eason has made four starts in 22 games for the 49ers, going 3-for-12 at the plate. He has two doubles and three RBIs.
Coley Thompkins, P, Campbell, Hoggard
Thompkins has appeared in 15 games for the Camels, with a 2.36 ERA in 26.2 innings pitched. The senior has a 3-1 record with two saves. He’s allowed 12 runs-seven earned-with three walks and 21 strikeouts.
Mason Berne, INF, Spartanburg Methodist, Topsail
Berne is hitting .364 as freshman with 12 hits in 33 at-bats for Spartanburg Methodist. The Topsail High School alum has three doubles, one home run and eight RBIs.
