+- CSNbbs (https://csnbbs.com)
+-- Forum: Active Boards (/forum-769.html)
+--- Forum: SunBeltbbs (/forum-317.html)
+---- Forum: Sun Belt East Team Talk (/forum-289.html)
+----- Forum: Georgia State (/forum-683.html)
+----- Thread: BB:Top Three of Prain, Raffield, Merrigan Lead Panthers' Potent Lineup (/thread-633195.html)
BB:Top Three of Prain, Raffield, Merrigan Lead Panthers' Potent Lineup - panama - 05-14-2013 04:30 PM
http://www.georgiastatesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=12700&ATCLID=207654560
Quote:ATLANTA -- Led by shortstop Chad Prain, designated hitter Chase Raffield and freshman center fielder Josh Merrigan, Georgia State features one of the nation's top offensive teams, ranking among the top five in the NCAA in batting average, hits, runs, and doubles.
As a team, the Panthers are second in the latest NCAA statistics with a .324 batting average. GSU is also second with 621 hits and third with 417 runs, and the Panthers lead the nation with 132 doubles.
Georgia State's slugging percentage of .468 is sixth nationally and its .408 on-base percentage is 11th.
Much of the Panthers' productivity comes from the top three hitters in the lineup -- Merrigan in the leadoff spot, followed by Prain and Raffield.
Prain has been among the nation's leading hitters all season, spending several weeks in March and April at number one in the NCAA. The junior from Valdosta, Ga., currently ranks seventh in the nation with a .410 batting average, and only one player in the nation has more hits than Prain's 87.
Named to the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award Watch List, Prain has four homers, 16 doubles and one triple, and although he has hit first or second in the order all season, he has still has 48 RBI. He ranks among the top 40 in the nation in total bases and on-base percentage (.475), and he is 15-for-17 on stolen bases.
Merrigan, the Panthers' freshman center fielder from Marietta, Ga., gets it all started as the Panthers' leadoff hitter. He ranks second among all freshmen in the nation in hits (80 - 9th overall) and runs scored (51), while his .354 batting average is fourth nationally among all rookies.
The three-time conference Rookie of the Week selection has three homers, 15 doubles and 34 RBI, and his five triples ranks 26th in the nation. He is 12-for-12 on stolen bases, and he has also contributed four outfield assists.
Raffield, a junior from Cochran, Ga., has been Georgia State's top power threat with nine home runs, 19 doubles and 50 RBI while batting 376. He is slugging .635 (30th in the NCAA).