...well, it wasn't our own soph catcher Zack Collins who was among 8 sluggers vying for this year's title.
That honor goes to senior 1B/P Jeff Campbell of North Dakota (from Clearwater) who belted 10 HRs in the final round for a total of 34 HRs to edge soph Will Cline of Wake and the ACC POY who hit 5 for a total of 30.
Campbell became the first senior in derby history to win the title.
FR Kel Johnson of Georgia Tech was 3rd with 23 HR hit in the first 2 rounds
Eric Gutierrez of Texas Tech and last year's runner-up, was 4th with 17 in the first 2 rounds
Tied for 4th was Zack Collins and BYU's Colton Shaver with 7 each in the first 2 rounds
Joe Dunand of NCST was 7th with 6 HRs
Soph Kyle Lewis of Mercer was 8th with 4 HRs.
I don't know how they selected the 8 batters but four of them represented the ACC.
Zack was the only lefty in the bunch and even though the wind was blowing out to right field at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, it didn't turn out to be an advantage.
The players were allowed to use any bat they wanted and they could pick the person to pitch to them. During an interview, Zack said he selected a red colored-bat called the Cherry Bomb (I don't think he used it during the season). He said he found one on eBay for $185 but that was too expensive so he says he got one from someone called "Willie" (Abreu?).
Zack's pitcher was former UM asst. coach Joe Mercandante (sp?)
Even though he didn't win, it was great pub for Zack and the Canes so congrats to Zack for being named to the competition. If nothing else, it was great to see a black and orange Miami jersey back at home plate in Omaha.
Can't wait for the start of the 2016 season, Caniacs!
Go Canes!
That honor goes to senior 1B/P Jeff Campbell of North Dakota (from Clearwater) who belted 10 HRs in the final round for a total of 34 HRs to edge soph Will Cline of Wake and the ACC POY who hit 5 for a total of 30.
Campbell became the first senior in derby history to win the title.
FR Kel Johnson of Georgia Tech was 3rd with 23 HR hit in the first 2 rounds
Eric Gutierrez of Texas Tech and last year's runner-up, was 4th with 17 in the first 2 rounds
Tied for 4th was Zack Collins and BYU's Colton Shaver with 7 each in the first 2 rounds
Joe Dunand of NCST was 7th with 6 HRs
Soph Kyle Lewis of Mercer was 8th with 4 HRs.
I don't know how they selected the 8 batters but four of them represented the ACC.
Zack was the only lefty in the bunch and even though the wind was blowing out to right field at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, it didn't turn out to be an advantage.
The players were allowed to use any bat they wanted and they could pick the person to pitch to them. During an interview, Zack said he selected a red colored-bat called the Cherry Bomb (I don't think he used it during the season). He said he found one on eBay for $185 but that was too expensive so he says he got one from someone called "Willie" (Abreu?).
Zack's pitcher was former UM asst. coach Joe Mercandante (sp?)
Even though he didn't win, it was great pub for Zack and the Canes so congrats to Zack for being named to the competition. If nothing else, it was great to see a black and orange Miami jersey back at home plate in Omaha.
Can't wait for the start of the 2016 season, Caniacs!
Go Canes!
