Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Position Breakdown: Dupree anchors corner infield
1/31/2016 5:30:00 PM | Baseball
Aucker, Sistrunk battle at third
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Kevin Dupree quietly proved to be a clutch performer for Middle Tennessee's baseball team in 2015.
The steady first baseman's offensive contributions were sometimes overshadowed by those of Ronnie Jebavy and Brad Jarreau; however, Dupree's value to the team was never underestimated.
Dupree (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) enters his junior campaign locked in as the starting first baseman and provides the Blue Raiders with a reliable glove in the field and a powerful, consistent bat at the plate.
"(Dupree) was a clutch performer down the stretch and he became a more consistent hitter as the season developed," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jim McGuire said. "Sometimes he got lost in the shuffle because of what others did, but Dupree hit over .300 and played first base almost every day. He was dependable."
Dupree finished 2015 as one of only three Middle Tennessee players to hit better than .300, with a .301 average. He belted three home runs, 13 doubles and drove in 20 runs. Much like the Blue Raiders' entire team in 2015, Dupree was at his best when the games meant the most.
The Ooltewah, Tenn., native hit .333 in conference games, which was second only to Jebavy's .388 mark. Dupree also provided most of his power and offensive contributions in league games, when he connected for two of his three home runs, six doubles and 10 RBI.
Dupree, the son of Gary and Terri Dupree, hit .727 with runners on third and less than two outs, generally finding a way to get runners plateward. He also hit .310 with runners on base.
"We hope Dupree can hit in the middle of the lineup and be a guy that can drive runs in this season," McGuire said. "I'm not worried about the power. It will come when it is supposed to come. His development in the summer was big and we are expecting a solid year from Kevin. He is also a very good defensive first baseman."
Dupree is the known.
The rest of the corner infield situation is much like other areas of the team – open competition for playing time.
Austin Norrell (5-11, 218) figures to be Dupree's back-up early in preseason practice. Norrell battled injuries throughout last year but provides the Blue Raiders with home run potential in the middle of the lineup when healthy.
The situation at third base is not as clear.
Austin Sistrunk (6-foot, 200) had a good fall after sitting out last season. He played his first two seasons of collegiate baseball at Lipscomb. Sistrunk connected for five home runs and 42 RBI in his two seasons at Lipscomb.
He is a player who gives the Blue Raiders Division I experience at the position, but he also has to get back in the swing of the game after sitting out last year.
"Sistrunk has played at this level for two years and had success," McGuire said. "For him, it is just a matter of getting out there and playing every day again. He is in the mix."
Aaron Aucker (6-foot, 190) is in a similar situation. He is a redshirt sophomore who has experience as the Division I level from his freshman year at Middle Tennessee. Aucker sat out last season due to injury and is working his way back into the fold for 2016.
The Knoxville, Tenn., native had an outstanding summer but was inconsistent offensively during the fall. He has proven to be a strong defensive player but most of his work has been in the middle infield.
"Aucker has the most experience but not at third base," McGuire said. "He has been through the grind and battles, but he got hurt and missed last year. The potential is there. It's just a matter of putting it all together."
Transfer Vaughn Shapen and freshmen Austin Dennis and Drew Huff also have worked at third base.
"There is a lot of competition there. Nothing is set in stone at all," McGuire said.
Middle Tennessee will open the season against Indiana at Reese Smith Field, Feb. 19.
Next week: Outfield
The steady first baseman's offensive contributions were sometimes overshadowed by those of Ronnie Jebavy and Brad Jarreau; however, Dupree's value to the team was never underestimated.
Dupree (6-foot-4, 205 pounds) enters his junior campaign locked in as the starting first baseman and provides the Blue Raiders with a reliable glove in the field and a powerful, consistent bat at the plate.
"(Dupree) was a clutch performer down the stretch and he became a more consistent hitter as the season developed," Middle Tennessee Head Coach Jim McGuire said. "Sometimes he got lost in the shuffle because of what others did, but Dupree hit over .300 and played first base almost every day. He was dependable."
Dupree finished 2015 as one of only three Middle Tennessee players to hit better than .300, with a .301 average. He belted three home runs, 13 doubles and drove in 20 runs. Much like the Blue Raiders' entire team in 2015, Dupree was at his best when the games meant the most.
The Ooltewah, Tenn., native hit .333 in conference games, which was second only to Jebavy's .388 mark. Dupree also provided most of his power and offensive contributions in league games, when he connected for two of his three home runs, six doubles and 10 RBI.
Dupree, the son of Gary and Terri Dupree, hit .727 with runners on third and less than two outs, generally finding a way to get runners plateward. He also hit .310 with runners on base.
"We hope Dupree can hit in the middle of the lineup and be a guy that can drive runs in this season," McGuire said. "I'm not worried about the power. It will come when it is supposed to come. His development in the summer was big and we are expecting a solid year from Kevin. He is also a very good defensive first baseman."
Dupree is the known.
The rest of the corner infield situation is much like other areas of the team – open competition for playing time.
Austin Norrell (5-11, 218) figures to be Dupree's back-up early in preseason practice. Norrell battled injuries throughout last year but provides the Blue Raiders with home run potential in the middle of the lineup when healthy.
The situation at third base is not as clear.
Austin Sistrunk (6-foot, 200) had a good fall after sitting out last season. He played his first two seasons of collegiate baseball at Lipscomb. Sistrunk connected for five home runs and 42 RBI in his two seasons at Lipscomb.
He is a player who gives the Blue Raiders Division I experience at the position, but he also has to get back in the swing of the game after sitting out last year.
"Sistrunk has played at this level for two years and had success," McGuire said. "For him, it is just a matter of getting out there and playing every day again. He is in the mix."
Aaron Aucker (6-foot, 190) is in a similar situation. He is a redshirt sophomore who has experience as the Division I level from his freshman year at Middle Tennessee. Aucker sat out last season due to injury and is working his way back into the fold for 2016.
The Knoxville, Tenn., native had an outstanding summer but was inconsistent offensively during the fall. He has proven to be a strong defensive player but most of his work has been in the middle infield.
"Aucker has the most experience but not at third base," McGuire said. "He has been through the grind and battles, but he got hurt and missed last year. The potential is there. It's just a matter of putting it all together."
Transfer Vaughn Shapen and freshmen Austin Dennis and Drew Huff also have worked at third base.
"There is a lot of competition there. Nothing is set in stone at all," McGuire said.
Middle Tennessee will open the season against Indiana at Reese Smith Field, Feb. 19.
Next week: Outfield
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