6 SBC teams earn Top 100
From: Sun Belt Sports Baseball
Date: 4/29/2009 4:50:54 PM
To: mik5rie1@cox.net
Subject: Article: SBC Ranks Well Among RPI Leaders
SBC Ranks Well Among RPI Leaders
Written by: Sun Belt Conference
Release: 04/29/2009
Photo Credit: School Files
NEW ORLEANS – Six Sun Belt Conference Baseball teams are listed among the top 100 teams in the nation according to the latest NCAA RPI Rankings, released by the governing body Wednesday morning.
League frontrunner Western Kentucky University (31-12, 16-5 SBC) is listed 35th this week, moving up five spots from its previous position. The Hilltoppers recorded a 4-1 record last week, including a series victory over conference foe Florida Atlantic. WKU is the top defensive team in the conference, posting an impressive .981 fielding percentage, while also pacing the conference in runs scored (403), on-base percentage (.435) and stolen bases (74) and RBI (372). Head Coach Chris Finwood’s squad is well represented among the nation’s elite teams, as WKU is listed in the top-25 in four statistical categories, including fielding percentage (3), hits (11), scoring (14) and won-loss percentage (25). Catcher Matt Rice and third baseman Wade Gaynor continue to lead WKU’s offensive production, as Rice is third in the league with his .403 batting average, including 22 extra base hits and 57 RBI and Gaynor is hitting .376 with an SBC best of 64 runs scored, 17 homers and 56 RBI.
Middle Tennessee (31-12, 18-6 SBC), just one game back in the conference standings, moved up one spot in the RPI this week, up to 43rd. The Blue Raiders lead the Sun Belt at the plate with a .335 team batting average, along with league-bests of 527 hits, 108 doubles, 73 home runs, 882 total bases and a .561 slugging percentage. Head Coach Steve Peterson’s squad is also ranked nationally is nine statistical categories, including slugging percentage (8), hits (11), doubles per game (11), doubles (11), home runs per game (13), home runs (14), runs (18), scoring (21) and batting average (25). Reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week Bryce Brentz is leading the nation with his near .500 (51-75) average, along with his 1.007 slugging percentage and 154 total bases.
FIU (27-16, 12-9 SBC) jumped 16 spots to #59 this week in the RPI rankings, after spending the last seven-day stretch at #75. The Golden Panthers are second in the league in pitching with a 5.26 ERA and third in the conference at the plate, posting a .330 batting average. Junior Tyler Townsend, one of the top hitters in the Sun Belt, has registered a .437 batting average so far this season with a league-best 59 RBI, while right-handed pitcher Tom Ebert continues to dominate league batters. Ebert has put up a 3.00 ERA and 5-2 record in his 63 innings pitched, including 66 strikeouts.
Troy (25-17, 12-7 SBC) sits at #68 this week after dropping a disappointing series decision to Louisiana-Lafayette last weekend. The Trojans, led by third baseman Brett Henry’s .345 batting average, are currently in third place in the conference standings.
Florida Atlantic (24-18, 7-13 SBC) moved up eight spots to #72 this week, after winning seven of its last nine outings. Travis Ozga paces the Owls at the plate with a .352 average. The local Boca Raton product has recorded 56 hits so far this season – 17 for extra bases.
ULM (25-9, 12-12 SBC) rounds out the top six teams in the league, as it moves up 12 positions this week to #88. The Warhawks, led by junior Boomer Blanchard and preseason All-American Ben Soignier, are currently in fifth place among Sun Belt Conference teams.
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