COLLEGE UPDATE, MAY 11: SOUTH AUSSIES IN COLLEGE

By Austin McClure

With the most recent college baseball season wrapping up, here are how our South Aussies are going.

Lachlan Rees – Southern Districts Baseball Club – New England College

Lachlan Rees playing out of New England College (NEC), an NCAA D3 in Henniker, New Hampshire has finished out a very successful season. NEC despite going 16-22 for the season were aided through Ree’s hitting and defensive prowess. Ree’s finished the season batting 0.314 whilst maintaining a 0.875 fielding percentage across multiple positions.

Liam Scott – Goodwood Baseball Club – Clarendon College

Liam Scott, a recent commit to NCCA D2 Lubbock Christian University, is also coming off a successful season but this time on the mound.

Scott, a Goodwood baseball club prodigy, is a right-handed pitcher who appeared in 47.2 innings for the Bulldogs in the very difficult NJCAA region 5 conference, that includes the likes of number #9 ranked New Mexico Junior College. Scott, a local player who found success through pure hard work is a story that many should look to. Scott was not a member of any state or rep team as a junior but is now a highly respected pitcher who appeared in the Texas/New Mexico All Star Game to begin his season.

Ethan Badcock – Golden Grove Central Districts – McCook CC

Ethan Badcock, a Henley and Grange turned Golden Grove Central Districts pitcher, is playing for McCook Community College in Nebraska. McCook, who will challenge for the NJCAA region IX title with a 35-21 record, were supported through the pitching of Badcock who added 3 wins to their tally. Badcock, who is in his first year at McCook, appeared in 15 games for 32.1 inning and apart from a few scratchy appearances had a very good season. He averaged 9.19 strikeouts per game with 33 k’s for the season. Funnily enough, Liam Scott and Badcock played against each other early in the season with Scott’s, Clarendon finishing on top.

Badcock will be looking to build on his freshman season, and we are extremely excited to see what that brings.

Darcy Barry – Henley & Grange Baseball Club - North Iowa Area CC

The highly rated Darcy Barry began his college career at North Iowa Area CC (NIACC), another school located in an extremely difficult conference. A conference renowned for producing high level division 1 talent.  Barry had an up and down season, however, cementing a starting role in the NIACC line-up having played in 34 games this season with 32 of them coming in conference. One of Darcy’s best elements is his fielding in which he fielded 0.902 from a total of 112 chances. Thus, making Darcy one of the premier infielders within that competition.

Sean Maple - Kensington Baseball Club - Mid American Nazarene College

Sean Maple, the Kensington native, a junior college transfer from Hesston College, is thriving playing for the Mid American Nazarene College. An NAIA located just outside Kansas City. Sean who played his summer baseball in sunny Alaska, has continued to improve batting 0.299 with 8 homeruns for the 22/23 season. The Pioneers went 19-13 within their conference and guaranteed themselves a spot at the NAIA national tournament opening round. Because of Sean’s efforts during their conference tournament, he was awarded with a selection in the all-tournament team.

Ky Hampton – Sturt Baseball Club - Eastern Illinois University

Hampton is entering his 3^rd season at Eastern Illinois s having a huge season for the NCAA D1. Ky is in his 5^th year of college ball having played one year at both Pratt CC in Kansas and South-eastern CC in Iowa.

Ky, who is the Panthers Ace this season is pitching to a 4.21 ERA with 5 wins and 2 losses. Some of his highlights include beating #9 Arkansas with a 7.0 innings 4 strikeout day which he followed up with 8.2 innings against Dayton.

The Panthers are 26-18 on the season and will be looking to upset several teams in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship coming up at the end of May. Ky himself will be hoping to keep his good form going and be rewarded for his season with all conference honours.

Josh Ledgard -Kensington Baseball Club – Marian University’s Ancilla

Josh Ledgard, playing his sophomore year at Marian University, is having a good season in what is a forgettable year for the Chargers.  The chargers are currently 9-37-1. Ledgard however is a shining light in the charger’s season, boasting a 0.267 batting average with 4 homeruns and 7 stolen bases.

Some of Ledgard’s highlights for the Spring include a 2 from 3 day with 2 homeruns against Niagara County Community College and a 2 from 3 day with a double against Lake Michigan College.

Jack Platten – Kensington Baseball Club – Mayville State College

Jack Platten, a Mayville State Baseball player, did not make any appearances for the Comets this season. He has spent the year developing and we hope to see him in the blue pinstripes for the upcoming season.

Max Stagg – West Torrens Baseball Club – Central Arizona CC

Max Stagg Is headed to college this summer to play in the Western Canadian Baseball League and then play for the recent junior college national champions, Central Arizona Vaquero’s in the Fall. Max, who recently represented Australia has been working extremely hard in BaseballSA’s high performance academy with Coach Austin Gallagher. We are excited to watch the success Max has set himself up for.