The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Six Blazers Competing in Baseball Summer Leagues
7/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Although it may be the offseason for most college baseball student-athletes, six Blazers are hard at work honing their skills in summer leagues.
Pitcher Garrett Whitlock, infielders Carter Pharis and Blake Johnson, and outfielders Jared Nixon, Luke Eigsti and Zack Davis are wrapping up successful summers across the country. Pharis and Nixon were each named to their respective league all-star games, and even volunteer assistant coach Ron Polk is hard at work as an assistant coach in the Cape.
Garrett Whitlock, RHP – Chatham Anglers – Cape Cod League
Whitlock has appeared in three games for the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod League. The right-hander is wielding a 0.00 ERA in 3.2 innings of work and has allowed just one hit over the stretch. The hard-throwing six-foot-five hurler has struck out six and walked three during his time in the prestigious league.
Carter Pharis, INF – Strasburg Express – Valley League
Pharis is having a standout summer for the Strasburg Express, batting a whopping .342 with 53 hits and 30 RBIs. The first baseman has blasted five home runs and was named a Valley League North Division All-Star. He was 1-for-2 in the All-Star Game, doubling to bring his season-total to 54 doubles. He has logged six multi-hit games in his last 10 appearances.
Jared Nixon, OF – Lima Locos – Great Lakes League
Nixon was also named an all-star in his league, hitting .323 for the Great Lakes League North Division Champion Lima Locos. The outfielder helped lead the Locos to a 28-13 mark in the regular season to put them in the playoffs. Including both the playoffs and regular season, Nixon is hitting .316 with 43 hits and 21 RBI. The speedy outfielder has also swiped 11 bases.
Zack Davis, OF – Southern California Catch – California League
Davis, of the SoCal Catch, is one of three Blazers competing in the California League, forced to face-off against UAB teammates Luke Eigsti and Blake Johnson (San Luis Obispo Blues). The outfielder is hitting .205 in 17 games, totaling nine hits, 10 runs and five extra-base hits in 44 trips to the plate. The slugger has driven in seven runs, drawn 12 walks and smacked one home run.
Luke Eigsti, OF – San Luis Obispo Blues – California League
Eigsti was hitting as high as .303 at 20 games into the season for the Blues. He has since batted .259 in 43 games total. The outfielder has 38 hits – 10 for extra-bases – and has driven in 19 runs. He has six hits in his last 10 games, and pieced together a six-game hitting streak earlier in the year.
Blake Johnson, INF – San Luis Obispo Blues – California League
Johnson is hitting a hot .312 with 34 hits and 13 RBIs on the West Coast. After a slow start, Blake began to tear the cover off the ball to push his average to .477 at the halfway mark of the season. Along with a six-game hitting streak, the infielder has doubled five times and tripled twice.
Ron Polk, Assistant Coach – Hyannis Harbor Hawks – Cape Cod League
Polk is in his fifth year as an assistant coach in the Cape Cod League and third with the Hyannis Harbor Hawks. UAB’s volunteer assistant coach has also served as an assistant coach for the Wareham Gatemen.
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