Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders Summer Ball Update
7/12/2017 2:00:00 PM | Baseball
Several Raiders are Heating Up this Summer
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – With the summer league a little over half-way done, several Blue Raiders are strutting their stuff in the Collegiate Baseball Summer Leagues.
Alex Carignan | C/1B | Madisonville Miners | Ohio Valley League
Carignan got the start at catcher in the Ohio Valley League All-Star Game for his terrific performance this summer. The Murfreesboro native redshirted this past season, and has made an immediate impact with the Miners. The rising redshirt freshman is 2nd on the team and 9th in the OVL with a red-hot .385 batting average. Carignan is also 2nd on the team driving in 20 RBI in 28 games this season.
Blake Benefield | IF/OF | Mat-su Miners | Alaska Baseball League
Benefield continues to lead the Alaska Baseball League with six home runs and 29 RBI in 29 games this summer. The Murfreesboro native, had his best game of the summer back on June 17, going 3-of-5 with a home run and a double. The rising junior along with teammate Austin Dennis, have led the Miners to an 18-11 record, good enough for 2nd overall in the ABL.
Austin Dennis | UTIL | Mat-su Miners | Alaska Baseball League
Dennis can do it all, making appearances at second base, shortstop, the outfield, and on the mound for the Miners. The rising junior has been stellar on the bump, boasting a 1.63 ERA in 11 innings, while striking out eight and only walking two. At the plate, Dennis has scored 15 runs while going 5-of-5 in stolen bases in 23 games.
Manuel Lopez | OF | Show-Me Stars | Show-Me League
The big man continues to tear up the Show-Me league, leading the Stars in hits (33), batting average (.398), RBI (16), doubles (8), triples (6), and runs scored (21) in 23 games. Lopez is 2nd in the league in batting average, and 3rd in RBI. Lopez has also turned on the jets this summer, stealing 12 bases this season. The rising redshirt sophomore has led the Stars to first place in the league standings.
Jake Wyrick | LHP | Thomasville Hi-Toms | Coastal Plain League
Wyrick leads the team with three saves this summer, primarily coming out of the Hi-Toms bullpen. The lefty has also made the second-most appearances for Thomasville over the course of the season. The rising senior is known for striking out batters and he is doing so, ranking 3rd on the squad with 33 in just 20-2/3 innings of work.
Andy Rivera | RHP | Pompano Beach Clippers | South Florida League
Rivera is an incoming JUCO transfer from Chattanooga State CC who was named to the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Team for his performance this summer. Rivera has been lethal on the mound this summer, throwing 10 scoreless innings in six appearances so far. The junior has compiled a 1-0 record, to go along with three saves to lead the Clippers.
Alex Carignan | C/1B | Madisonville Miners | Ohio Valley League
Carignan got the start at catcher in the Ohio Valley League All-Star Game for his terrific performance this summer. The Murfreesboro native redshirted this past season, and has made an immediate impact with the Miners. The rising redshirt freshman is 2nd on the team and 9th in the OVL with a red-hot .385 batting average. Carignan is also 2nd on the team driving in 20 RBI in 28 games this season.
Blake Benefield | IF/OF | Mat-su Miners | Alaska Baseball League
Benefield continues to lead the Alaska Baseball League with six home runs and 29 RBI in 29 games this summer. The Murfreesboro native, had his best game of the summer back on June 17, going 3-of-5 with a home run and a double. The rising junior along with teammate Austin Dennis, have led the Miners to an 18-11 record, good enough for 2nd overall in the ABL.
Austin Dennis | UTIL | Mat-su Miners | Alaska Baseball League
Dennis can do it all, making appearances at second base, shortstop, the outfield, and on the mound for the Miners. The rising junior has been stellar on the bump, boasting a 1.63 ERA in 11 innings, while striking out eight and only walking two. At the plate, Dennis has scored 15 runs while going 5-of-5 in stolen bases in 23 games.
Manuel Lopez | OF | Show-Me Stars | Show-Me League
The big man continues to tear up the Show-Me league, leading the Stars in hits (33), batting average (.398), RBI (16), doubles (8), triples (6), and runs scored (21) in 23 games. Lopez is 2nd in the league in batting average, and 3rd in RBI. Lopez has also turned on the jets this summer, stealing 12 bases this season. The rising redshirt sophomore has led the Stars to first place in the league standings.
Jake Wyrick | LHP | Thomasville Hi-Toms | Coastal Plain League
Wyrick leads the team with three saves this summer, primarily coming out of the Hi-Toms bullpen. The lefty has also made the second-most appearances for Thomasville over the course of the season. The rising senior is known for striking out batters and he is doing so, ranking 3rd on the squad with 33 in just 20-2/3 innings of work.
Andy Rivera | RHP | Pompano Beach Clippers | South Florida League
Rivera is an incoming JUCO transfer from Chattanooga State CC who was named to the South Florida Collegiate Baseball League All-Star Team for his performance this summer. Rivera has been lethal on the mound this summer, throwing 10 scoreless innings in six appearances so far. The junior has compiled a 1-0 record, to go along with three saves to lead the Clippers.
Players Mentioned
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