MOUNTAINEER BASEBALL

Story by Aric Thomas
(05-08-07)

Eight Mountaineers Receive Post-Season Awards

The Bi-State Conference named its All-Conference Teams and Rawlings Gold Glove Team.  Eight players from Eastern were named to the teams.  Gunner Glad (OF) and Chance Deason (LHP) were named 1st Team All Conference.  Four Mountaineers made 2nd Team.  They were Dearth Parker (SS), Justin Mitchell (CF), Chad Price (C) and Carey Crain (DH).  Kyle Price (2B) and Levi Rhoades (RHP) were named Honorable Mention All Conference.

The Bi-State Conference also selected their Rawlings Gold Glove Team.  The players that made this team represented the best defensive players in the Bi-State Conference at their respective positions.  Chad Price was named the catcher, Dearth Parker was tabbed the short stop and Justin Mitchell the centerfielder.

1st Team All Bi-State Conference

Gunner Glad – OF – Fresh - Glad batted .406 this season and led the Mountaineers with 29 games played, 207 at bats, 84 hits, 45 runs scored, 19 doubles, 12 home runs and 58 RBI’s.  He also stole 16 bases.  On the mound, Glad also won 6 games for Eastern.

Chance Deason – LHP – Fresh - Deason was the leader on the mound for the Mountaineers all season and was named the best pitcher in the Bi-State Conference.  He led Eastern with a 3.05 ERA, 7 wins (versus 1 loss), 13 games started, 2 complete games, 73.2 innings pitched and 72 strikeouts.  He also held opposing batters to a .254 batting average.

2nd Team All Bi-State Conference

Chad Price – C – Soph - Price anchored the Mountaineers behind the plate this season.  He batted .326 with 23 runs scored, 4 home runs, 19 RBI’s and 8 stolen bases.  Price was also tabbed the best defensive catcher in the Bi-State Conference.

Dearth Parker – SS – Fresh - Parker was the stabilizer of the Mountaineer infield this season.  In 46 games played this year, Parker batted .371 with 38 runs scored, 13 doubles, 2 home runs, 35 RBI’s, 27 walks and 11 stolen bases.  Parker was also named the best defensive shortstop in the Bi-State Conference.

Justin Mitchell – CF – Soph – Mitchell battled a hamstring injury, but when healthy he was the catalyst for the Mountaineers.  In just 29 games played, Mitchell led the Mountaineers with a .463 batting average and 27 stolen bases.  He scored 37 runs, 8 doubles, 2 home runs, 22 RBI’s, 17 walks and 15 hit batsmen.  Mitchell was also named the best defensive centerfielder in the Bi-State Conference.  He was also a 2nd Team selection last year.

Carey Crain – DH – Soph – Crain solidified the middle of the line-up for the Mountaineers all season.  In 45 games, Crain batted .338 with 29 runs scored, 15 doubles, 9 home runs, 48 RBI’s, 13 walks, 9 hit batsmen and a team high 5 sacrifice flies.

Honorable Mention All Bi-State Conference

Kyle Price – 2B – Soph – Price was an integral part for the Mountaineers both offensively and defensively.  For the season, he batted .325 in 37 games and he added 30 runs scored, 8 doubles, 2 home runs, 17 RBI’s, 25 walks 14 stolen bases and a team high 8 sacrifice bunts.

Levi Rhoades – RHP – Fresh – Rhoades was the main workhorse in the Mountaineer bullpen this season.  He pitched in 25 of 52 Mountaineer games this season.  In those appearances, he had a team high 7 saves.  He also added 4 wins and 46 strikeouts in 35.2 innings pitched.  He held opponents to just 30 hits and a team best .226 opponent batting average.