Clarksville, Ark.-Nine University of the Ozarks baseball players were honored by the American Southwest Conference, it was announced Tuesday (May 9) following a vote of the league's head coaches.
Freshman outfielder Taber Childs was named to the All-ASC Second Team. Sophomore catcher Brice Cagle and senior designated player Dru Didway were named to the All-ASC Third Team. The Honorable Mention All-Conference Team included junior third baseman Isaac Price, sophomore shortstop Ethan Cash, junior outfielder Jackson Baker, junior utility player Cole Clark, senior pitcher Josh Ropple and sophomore pitcher Isaac Pelts.
Childs, from Marshall, Texas, was among the top freshman in the league ranking in in the top-10 in home runs (9), slugging percentage (.670) and OPS (1.072). He hit .330 with nine doubles and 29 RBI. He also scored 22 runs and recorded 35 hits. For the season, he had 71 total bases and four stolen bases. Childs finished with ten multiple-hit games and drove in three or more runs six times. He homered three times in the Eagles series against East Texas Baptist and two times in the Sul Ross State series. In game two of each of those series, he homered twice and drove in four runs.
Cagle, from Sherwood, Ark., hit .337 with six doubles and two home runs. Behind the plate, he led the league in runners caught stealing with 15. He drove in 18 while walking 16 times. He owned a .436 on-base percentage and had 40 total bases. He had eight multiple-hit games and had six games with at least two RBI. He doubled, homered, scored three runs and drove in three runs against Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Didway, from Sallisaw, Okla., led the team with 31 RBI. He powered six home runs and nine doubles to go along with a .319 average and 28 runs. He finished with 45 hits, 72 total bases and a .511 slugging percentage. He had 12 multiple-hit games and had nine games with two or more RBI. He had a 4-for-5 game against LeTourneau and finished that series with eight hits. He drove in nearly 70 runs in his career and hit 15 career home runs.
Price, from Siloam Springs, Ark., led the team with 52 hits and 34 runs. He finished with a .344 average, seven doubles, three home runs and 29 RBI. He also drew 16 walks and owned a .412 on-base percentage. He had 14 multiple-hit games and hit safely in 30 of 40 games. He had six three-hit games and was the only player on the team to start in all 40 games. Against Mary Hardin-Baylor, he had a four-hit game and drove in four runs against Hendrix College.
Cash, from Maumelle, Ark., ripped eight doubles en route to recording 42 hits. A .300 hitter, he drove in 24 runs and scored 25 runs. He drew 13 walks and finished with 53 total bases. He had 14 multiple-hit games, including a pair of three hit games. He hit a game-winning grand slam against Texas Dallas to finish with four RBI.
Baker, from Sherwood, Ark., hit nine doubles, two triples and five home runs to own a .525 slugging percentage. He finished with a .324 average and drove in 28 while recording 45 hits. He led the team with 73 total bases and six stolen bases. He had 17 multiple-hit games, including a four-hit game against Mary Hardin-Baylor. He homered twice and drove in four runs in game one against LeTourneau.
Clark, from Clarksville, Ark., was among the ASC leaders in batting (.359), on-base percentage (.445) and HBP (9). He also had six doubles, one home run and one triple. He scored 22 runs, recorded 42 hits and drove in 12 runs. He had 11 multiple-hit games in 31 games played. He totaled seven hits in the Eagles series against Mary Hardin-Baylor, including a four-hit, three-run game in game two. He finished with three hits and two RBI in game one against Howard Payne.
Ropple, from Copperas Cove, Texas, tossed 64.0 innings, threw three complete games and won three games. He fanned 42 in 11 starts. All three of his complete games were wins. He fanned eight in a nine-inning outing against McMurry. In a seven-inning outing against Sul Ross, he allowed just one earned run.
Pelts, from Lamar, Ark., ranked sixth among ASC pitchers in IP (70.2) and fifth in strikeouts (58). He posted three wins and four complete games. He led the staff with 12 starts. He fanned nine in a seven-inning outing against McMurry. In a seven-inning start against Texas Dallas, he struck out seven.
