Raider Baseballers earn individual honors
June 25, 2009 @ 1:08 pm
The Raider Baseball team fell short of their goal of a return trip to the NWAACC Tournament in 2009, but were in the playoff hunt up to the final weekend of the season. The young Raiders continued to earn respect in the West, as demonstrated by announcement of the NWAACC post season awards.
Freshman Ryan Buckles was selected to the Western Region First Team All-Stars. Buckles played a solid 3B for the Raiders and led the team in hitting (.396), hit 3 home runs, and drove in 19 runs on the season. Sophomore pitching standout Corey Ventura was selected as a Western Region Second Team All-Star, as were freshmen outfielders Dustin Markholt and Alex Rose. Ventura led the Raiders staff in innings pitched (47), earned run average (1.79), and strikeouts (36). Markholt hit .291 on the season and consistently came up with key hits in tough situations. Rose led the Raiders with 29 RBIs and 13 doubles in 120 at-bats, while hitting a solid .325.
Freshman first baseman Derek Kaaiwela earned Gold Glove honors as the best first-sacker in the West. Kaaiwela finished second on the team with a .389 average, hit 3 homeruns, 10 doubles and drove in 19 runs. He led the Raiders with a .593 slugging percentage.
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