Press Release
Record: 28-12 (Home: 11-6, Road: 17-6)
NWC: 24-8, 2nd (Home: 11-5, Road 13-3)
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HIGHLIGHTS:
* Recent Games: Bruins Win 3 of 4 at Linfield but End Up 2nd in NWC
* Coming Up: NCAA West Regional May 14-18 in Abilene, Texas
* Putney First Team All-NWC as 11 Bruins Reap Conference Honors
* Putney Named ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District
* Polls/Rankings: Bruins Get Votes for National Rankings by D3baseball.com
* NCAA Stats: Bruins 2nd in Double Plays, Among Leaders in Doubles
* NWC Stats: Wyckoff Tops League in Hits and Doubles
* RECENT GAMES: 3-1 (click on results for press releases and boxes)
Apr. 27 – George Fox 7-9, at Linfield 6-3
Apr. 28 – George Fox 4-3, at Linfield 0-8
COMING UP: NCAA West Regional May 14-18 in Abilene, Texas
Wed., May 14, 3:30 pm (1:30 pm Pacific) - vs. Trinity University
Thur., May 15, TBA - vs. TBA
The Bruins enter the NCAA Tournament as one of 14 at-large or “Pool C” teams chosen. Automatic or “Pool A” slots went to 34 conference winners or conference tournament winners, six spaces went to “Pool B” teams from independents or teams in conferences without aotomatic bids, for a total of 54 teams. Five regions, including the West, are six-team playoffs, while three have eight teams. The eight regional champions will compete in the NCAA Division III World Series in Appleton, Wisc., May 23-27.
Joining George Fox (28-12), who is the No. 2 seed in the West, are No. 1 seed Chapman University (35-3), No. 3 seed and regional host McMurry University (29-17), No. 4 seed California State University-East Bay (26-14), No. 5 seed Trinity (32-13), and No. 6 seed University of La Verne (25-14-1). Linfield College (30-10), the Northwest Conference champion, is seeded No. 5 in the Central Regional in Moline, Ill.
In other first-round game Wednesday, Chapman will meet La Verne in the day’s first game at 12:00 noon (10:00 a.m. Pacific), with McMurry and Cal State-East Bay in the third game at 7:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m. Pacific).
Tournament host McMurry has created a West Regional web site that will contain live stats of all games, box scores, and recaps. The site may be found at http://athletics.mcm.edu/Sports/baseball/2008/08baseballregional.asp/. Also, plans are progressing for live internet webcasts of all George Fox playoff games via the campus station, KFOX. A link to that station and the games is at http://www.georgefox.edu/offices/asc/kfoxradio/, or click on the KFOX logo on the George Fox baseball home page at http://www.georgefox.edu/athletics/baseball/index.html.
The Bruins finished second in the Northwest Conference to Linfield, although they did take three out of four in their season-ending series in McMinnville, which undoubtedly played a significant role in their high seed. George Fox is second nationally in double plays turned (48), and 21st nationally in doubles per game (2.50). Under first-year coach Marty Hunter, the Bruins are making their third straight appearance in the NCAA playoffs and their seventh in nine seasons of NCAA eligibility. George Fox is 14-11 in their previous six appearances, including a 9-1 mark in 2004 that included the West Region and World Series titles.
Chapman is the No.1-ranked team in the nation and has been all season long. The Panthers from Orange, Calif., have made three straight appearances in the World Series and won the national championship in 2003. Chapman is hitting .357 as a team (14th nationally) with a 3.28 ERA (7th nationally). The Panthers score at a 9.1 clip (24th nationally) while ranking seventh nationally in home runs per game (1.37).
McMurry was George Fox’s season-opening opponent, with the Bruins taking two out of three in Abilene. McMurry’s former nickname was the Indians, but as the NCAA is opposed to names which might carry offensive ethnic connotations to some, the school is presently without a mascot. McMurry has a team batting average of .347 (21st nationally), is second nationally in home runs per game (1.63), and averages 9.2 runs per game (22nd nationally) and 2.48 doubles per game (23rd nationally). McMurry’s 75 total home runs are the most in the nation.
Cal State-East Bay, located in Hayward, Calif., earned a “Pool B” bid on the strength of what was rated as the toughest schedule in the nation. The Pioneers and Bruins met in a three-game series in Hayward in late March, with East Bay taking two of three from the Bruins.
Trinity earned its bid by winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament. The Tigers from San Antonio, Texas, lost to the Bruins in the West Regional championship game in 2004, which propelled George Fox on to the national title. Trinity is ninth nationally in doubles per game (2.76), while the Tigers’ pitching staff leads the nation in strikeouts (414) and K’s per nine innnings (9.5). The Tigers have also turned the most double plays in the country (56).
La Verne climbed from third to first on the final weekend of the season to win the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crown in a tight race with the University of Redlands, California Lutheran University, and Pomona-Pitzer Colleges.
COACH MARTY HUNTER:
Marty Hunter (Linfield '84) is 28-12 (.700) to date in his 1st season as a college head coach. He spent the previous five years as an assistant coach at George Fox under Pat Bailey, who went to Oregon State as an assistant coach. He was named conference Coach of the Year six times in 12 years of high school coaching at Bend and Canby High Schools in Oregon. Click here for the complete bio on the George Fox web site for Coach Hunter.
Hunter vs. Upcoming Opponents:
Trinity TX - 0-0
Chapman - 0-0
McMurry - 2-1 (road 2-1)
California State-East Bay - 1-2 (road 1-2) Mbr> La Verne - 0-0
BRUIN BITS:
* Putney First Team All-NWC as 11 Bruins Reap Conference Honors
Led by First Team All-Conference starting pitcher Mark Putney, 11 members of the George Fox University Bruins’ baseball team have received All-Northwest Conference recognition for the 2008 season as voted on by the league’s nine coaches.
Second Team Bruins chosen were catcher Ryan Fobert, first baseman Matt Wyckoff, center fielder Kyle Kuenzi, right fielder Dan Winterstein, and starting pitchers Nick Bratney and Nick Hedgecock. Honorable mention went to third baseman Pat Bailey, starting pitcher Shane Dalgleish, and relievers Brady Rhodes and Preston Langeliers.
Putney, a sophomore right-hander from Kodiak, Alaska, posted a 6-1 record with one save, a 2.77 earned run average, and had 42 strikeouts with only 12 walks in 48.2 innings. Moving into the rotation early in conference play, he made five starts and threw three complete games, including two shutouts, in his last three starts. He led the team in complete games and shutouts and tied for wins. Since giving up seven runs in three innings in first appearance of the season, he has posted a 1.58 ERA. His ERA ranked third in the conference, and he was in appearances with 15, fourth in wins and ninth in strikeouts.
Fobert, a switch-hitting senior from Dallas, Ore., led the Bruins in batting with a .389 average and in RBI with 37, collecting 13 doubles and two home runs among his 56 hits. He ranked fourth in the league in batting and hits, and seventh in doubles and RBI. He also scored 30 runs and stole four bases while making only one error behind the plate for a .995 fielding average. With only four strikeouts in 144 at bats, he ranks fourth nationally as the toughest to strike out. It was his third All-NWC honor, having been Second Team as a sophomore and First Team last year.
Wyckoff, a lefty-swinging junior from Olympia, Wash., was second on the team in batting at .388 while leading the Bruins with 59 hits, 19 doubles, and 46 runs scored. He also slugged five home runs, drove in 35, and was 12-13 in stolen bases. He led the conference in hits and doubles, and ranked second in runs scored, sixth in batting and slugging percentage with a .638 mark, seventh in steals, and ninth in RBI.
Kuenzi, a righty-swinging, lefty-throwing junior from Silverton, Ore., batted .345 while leading the team in stolen bases with 15 in 19 attempts and tying for the team lead in triples with four. He also collected five doubles, scored 44 runs, and drove in 26. He was second in the conference in triples, third in steals, and fifth in runs.
Winterstein, a freshman righty from Eugene, Ore., sparkled as rookie with a .344 batting average and four triples, tying for the team lead. He also collected nine doubles and one home run among his 53 hits, scored 35 runs, and knocked in 23. He was 8-10 in stolen bases, and displayed a powerful arm in right with seven assists. His triples ranked second in the in the league, his hits total was seventh, and he was ninth in steals.
Bratney, a junior right-hander from Boise, Idaho, went 5-2 with a 3.93 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 73.1 innings as the Bruins’ No. 1 starter. He led the team in innings, strikeouts, and games started with 11. His innings pitched and strikeouts ranked fifth in the NWC. He was a First Team All-NWC and Third Team All-West Region selection last year.
Hedgecock, a senior southpaw from Portland, Ore., was 5-2 with one save, a 2.91 ERA, and 31 strikeouts in 52.2 innings. He made 12 appearances, half of them starts, and threw a shutout in his one complete game. His ERA ranked sixth in the conference. He was an honorable mention All-NWC reliever last year, and is the Bruins’ all-time leader in saves with eight in his career.
Bailey, a junior from Highland, Utah, led the Bruins in home runs with seven while batting .362, with 50 hits, 14 doubles, 31 RBI and 36 runs scored. He led the team and was fifth in the league in slugging percentage with a .645 mark, and was third in the NWC in doubles and ninth in home runs. He was a First Team All-NWC selection last year at second base.
Dalgleish, a junior from Sammamish, Wash., earned the fourth spot in the Bruins’ rotation and responded with a 6-2 record, tying for the team lead in wins. He posted a 4.43 ERA, making nine starts, and worked 40.2 innings. His wins total was fourth in the conference.
Rhodes, a senior left-hander from Phoenix, Ore., went 1-1 in 16 appearances, 11 in relief, with a 6.03 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 34.1 innings. He was second in the NWC in appeances. He is the only player remaining on the roster from the Bruins’ 2004 national championship team.
Langeliers, a senior from Pleasant Hill, Ore., was a key man in middle relief, going 1-2 with one save in 15 appearances, 11 in relief. He had a 7.28 ERA and struck out 24 in 29.2 innings. He was third in the league in appearances. As a starter last year, he was a Second Team All-NWC pick.
* Putney Named ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District
Showing that he is as sharp in the classroom as he is on the mound, George Fox University starting pitcher Mark Putney has been named to the ESPN The Magazine / CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII College Division Baseball Team as voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America in District VIII.
Putney, a sophomore right-hander from Kodiak, Alaska, has compiled a grade point average of 3.92 while majoring in history. On the diamond, he has a 6-1 record with one save, a 2.77 earned run average, and 42 strikeouts with only 12 walks in 48.2 innings. Moving into the rotation early in conference play, he made five starts and threw three complete games, including two shutouts, in his last three starts. He led the team in complete games and shutouts and tied for wins. Since giving up seven runs in three innings in first appearance of the season, he has posted a 1.58 ERA. His ERA ranks third in the conference, and he is third in appearances with 15, fourth in wins and ninth in strikeouts.
Putney’s efforts earned him All-Northwest Conference First Team honors and are one reason why the Bruins went 28-12 this spring, their 13th straight winning season. George Fox went 24-8 in conference play, finishing one game behind Linfield College, and is in serious contention for an at-large berth in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
Other members of the Academic All-District Team are pitcher Nolan Nicholson of the University of Redlands, catcher Dan Colella of Grand Canyon University, infielders Cory Ellis of Linfield, Kyle Redding of Chapman University, Garrett Imeson of the University of California-San Diego, and Will McLoughlin of Menlo College, outfielders Kyle Rizzo of Redlands, Dan Belet of Whitworth University, and Jordan Boustead of Linfield, and designated hitter Stuart Hyman of Chapman.
District VIII of CoSIDA consists of all sports information directors and college sports media relations personnel from Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawai’i, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Idaho. This is the fourth year for the CoSIDA Academic All-America teams to be sponsored by ESPN The Magazine. The complete lists of Academic All-America and All-District Teams are available on line at http://www.cosida.com/Awards/allamerica.aspx.
* Polls/Rankings: Bruins Get Votes for National Rankings by D3baseball.com
In the latest D3baseball.com poll of May 6, George Fox was the third team listed among “others receiving votes” with 26 points. The Bruins are also ranked No. 2 in the West Region. The only other Northwest Conference team listed in the D3baseball.com poll was league champion Linfield with 21 points, sixth among “others”. Chapman has been the No. 1 team in every in-season poll this spring.
Click here to go to D3baseball.com and click on the “NCBWA Top 25” link on the left for the complete poll.
* Records Set or Tied in 2008:
- Most Triples, Game - 2 by Matt Wyckoff vs. Pacific, 3/2/2008, 2nd game (ties record held by Chris Wakeland vs. Lewis-Clark State, 3/10/1994, and Ryan LeBreton vs. California Lutheran, 3/20/1999
* NCAA Stats: Bruins 2nd in Double Plays, Among Leaders in Doubles
In the latest NCAA statistics (thru May 4), George Fox as a team is 2nd in double plays (48) and 2nd in double plays per game (1.20) ... The Bruins are tied for 18th in doubles (100) and 21st in doubles per game (2.50) ... Individually, Matt Wyckoff is tied for 17th in doubles (19) and 24th in doubles per game (0.48) ... Ryan Fobert is tied for the 7th-toughest to strike out (1 per 36 times at bat) ...
* NWC Stats: Wyckoff Tops League in Hits and Doubles
Team Batting Stats: Thru games of April 29, the Bruins are 1st in the NWC in doubles (100), triples (15), stolen bases (64), 2nd in batting avg. (.330), slugging pct. (.476), on base pct. (.418), hits (440), total bases (636), plate appearances (1604), at bats (1335), walks (181), sacrifice bunts (33), 3rd in runs (311), RBI (261), sacrifice flies (20), 6th in home runs (22), strikeouts (182), 8th in hit by pitches (35) ...
Team Pitching Stats: The Bruins are 2nd in ERA (4.26), opponents’ batting (.282), saves (7, T), 3rd in strikeouts (211), innings (325.2), balks (7, T), 4th in fewest walks (131), 7th in hit batters (39), 9th in wild pitches (15) ...
Team Fielding Stats: The Bruins are 1st in double plays (48), 2nd in chances (1494), assists (448), 3rd in putouts (977), fewest steals (22), 7th in fielding (.954), fewest errors (69), 8th in caught stealing (10), 9th in passed balls (2) ...
Individual Batting Stats:
- C Ryan Fobert is 4th in batting (.389, T), hits (56, T), 6th in doubles (13, T), 7th in RBI (37, T), sacrifice flies (3, T) ...
- 1B Matt Wyckoff is 1st in hits (59), doubles (19), 2nd in runs (46, T), 4th in total bases (97), at bats (152), 5th in total at bats (178), 6th in batting (.388), slugging (.638), triples (2, T), 9th in RBI (35, T) ...
- 3B Pat Bailey is 4th in sacrifice flies (4, T), 5th in slugging (.645), 6th in triples (2, T), total bases (89), 9th in home runs (7, T) ...
- CF Kyle Kuenzi is 2nd in triples (4, T), 3rd in stolen bases (15), 5th in runs (44, T), at bats (148, T), 6th in sacrifice bunts (5, T), 9th in total at bats (173, T) ...
- RF Dan Winterstein is 2nd in triples (4, T), at bats (154), 6th in sacrifice bunts (5, T), 7th in hits (53), 9th in stolen bases (8, T) ...
- LF Todd Siler is 7th in walks (22, T), sacrifice flies (3, T) ...
- SS Josh Burch is 9th in stolen bases (8, T) ...
- 2B Kyle Seymour is 8th in doubles (12, T) ...
Individual Pitching Stats:
- RHP Nick Bratney is 1st in starts (11, T), 4th in pickoffs (2, T), 5th in strikeouts (48, T), innings (73.1) ...
- LHP Nick Hedgecock is 6th in ERA (2.91), 10th in opponents’ batting avg. (.263) ...
- RHP Mark Putney is 3rd in ERA (2.77), appearances (15, T), 4th in wins (6, T), 6th in opponents’ batting avg. (.253), 9th in strikeouts (42) ...
- RHP Shane Dalgleish is 3rd in pickoffs (3), 4th in wins (6, T) ...
- RHP Preston Langeliers is 3rd in appearances (15, T) ...
- LHP Brady Rhodes is 2nd in appearances (16) ...
- RHP Brian Davis is 3rd in games finished (9, T), 4th in saves (3, T), relief appearances (12, T) ...
Individual Fielding Stats:
- 1B Matt Wyckoff is 1st in chances (385), putouts (352), double plays (40) ...
- 2B Kyle Seymour is 4th in double plays (26, T), 6th in assists (100) ...
- SS Taylor Hunter is 10th in double plays (23, T) ...