Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders Wrap Up Successful Fall Season
11/3/2016 3:09:00 PM | Baseball
The team looks to take the next step heading into the spring
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With the annual Blue-White World Series finishing up this past Saturday, Head Coach Jim McGuire had a couple days to further evaluate his team's progress over the fall season.
"I think I found out how close this group is to each other," stated McGuire. "That's what I'm finding out more than anything. You can just tell the excitement in their voice leading into the spring and how they all get along with each other."
One guy who was a question heading into fall ball because of injury, was two-way player Devin Conn. The redshirt freshman is back from Tommy John surgery and continued to impress McGuire throughout the fall, batting over .400, along with seeing significant time on the mound.
"I think the biggest surprise was Conn. He was coming off of his Tommy John surgery as a true two-way guy, he really did some good things," stated McGuire. "He threw well on the mound, his velocity was good, and he threw strikes, while playing well defensively. He also swung the bat well, he brought a lot of things that I knew he was capable of, but I think the surprise was him coming off the injury and performing so well."
A newcomer that impressed this fall, was sophomore transfer from Gordon State College, Tyler Holcombe. The right-handed pitcher came in with excellent command and placement, throwing strike after strike during team scrimmages.
"I think Holcombe had the best fall of any of the new players," McGuire said. "I really liked what he did after not really seeing him that much before. He established himself as one of our better pitchers."
Sophomore slugger, Drew Huff led the way in batting average for either side in the series, amassing an outstanding .533 batting average. Senior standout Riley Delgado, also hit the ball well, accumulating a .429 batting average, while providing RBI in key situations in the series.
On the mound, returning southpaw Jake Wyrick was masterful on the mound in the series throwing six and a third scoreless innings. Redshirt junior Reid Clements pitched well, throwing six innings and striking out a series-high 11 batters.
Although a lot of questions have been answered for the Blue Raiders, there are still some positions that need to be further evaluated heading into the spring. Specifically at the first base position, where there is still debate about who should be the starter.
"First base is still the biggest question. We put a lot of different guys there, and at first base, the old adage goes, if you hit well, you're going to play," said McGuire. "I think that's what's going to be the case there. Whomever hits the best is going to end up being the first baseman."
The Blue Raiders will have set individual workouts with the coaching staff throughout the rest of the year and heading into January. The team will also participate in the Omaha Challenge, as well as put in a lot of time in the weight room in preparation for the 2017 season.
Blue-White World Series Results: Blue Wins 2-1-2
Game 1 7-5 Blue (7 innings)
Game 2 6-3 Blue (7 innings)
Game 3 3-3 Tie (8 innings)
Game 4 5-5 Tie (9 innings)
Game 5 8-7 White (9 innings)
Blue-White WS Batting Leaders
Blue-White WS Pitching Leaders (min. 3 IP)
"I think I found out how close this group is to each other," stated McGuire. "That's what I'm finding out more than anything. You can just tell the excitement in their voice leading into the spring and how they all get along with each other."
One guy who was a question heading into fall ball because of injury, was two-way player Devin Conn. The redshirt freshman is back from Tommy John surgery and continued to impress McGuire throughout the fall, batting over .400, along with seeing significant time on the mound.
"I think the biggest surprise was Conn. He was coming off of his Tommy John surgery as a true two-way guy, he really did some good things," stated McGuire. "He threw well on the mound, his velocity was good, and he threw strikes, while playing well defensively. He also swung the bat well, he brought a lot of things that I knew he was capable of, but I think the surprise was him coming off the injury and performing so well."
A newcomer that impressed this fall, was sophomore transfer from Gordon State College, Tyler Holcombe. The right-handed pitcher came in with excellent command and placement, throwing strike after strike during team scrimmages.
"I think Holcombe had the best fall of any of the new players," McGuire said. "I really liked what he did after not really seeing him that much before. He established himself as one of our better pitchers."
Sophomore slugger, Drew Huff led the way in batting average for either side in the series, amassing an outstanding .533 batting average. Senior standout Riley Delgado, also hit the ball well, accumulating a .429 batting average, while providing RBI in key situations in the series.
On the mound, returning southpaw Jake Wyrick was masterful on the mound in the series throwing six and a third scoreless innings. Redshirt junior Reid Clements pitched well, throwing six innings and striking out a series-high 11 batters.
Although a lot of questions have been answered for the Blue Raiders, there are still some positions that need to be further evaluated heading into the spring. Specifically at the first base position, where there is still debate about who should be the starter.
"First base is still the biggest question. We put a lot of different guys there, and at first base, the old adage goes, if you hit well, you're going to play," said McGuire. "I think that's what's going to be the case there. Whomever hits the best is going to end up being the first baseman."
The Blue Raiders will have set individual workouts with the coaching staff throughout the rest of the year and heading into January. The team will also participate in the Omaha Challenge, as well as put in a lot of time in the weight room in preparation for the 2017 season.
Blue-White World Series Results: Blue Wins 2-1-2
Game 1 7-5 Blue (7 innings)
Game 2 6-3 Blue (7 innings)
Game 3 3-3 Tie (8 innings)
Game 4 5-5 Tie (9 innings)
Game 5 8-7 White (9 innings)
Blue-White WS Batting Leaders
| Name | Avg. | R | H | 2B | RBI |
| Drew Huff | .533 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Riley Delgado | .429 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 5 |
| Devin Conn | .412 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Aaron Antonini | .400 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Chaz Vesser | .375 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
| Blake Benefield | .316 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| Ryan Kemp | .294 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 8 |
Blue-White WS Pitching Leaders (min. 3 IP)
| Name | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA |
| Jake Wyrick | 6.1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00 |
| Reid Clements | 6.0 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 1.50 |
| Tyler Holcombe | 8.0 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 2.25 |
| Will Small | 7.0 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2.57 |
| Caleb Smith | 3.1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2.70 |
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