BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – 2012 Xenia Scout Chandler Brock was named GSC Player of the Year and the University of Alabama in Huntsville baseball team put seven players on the 2013 All-Conference Baseball Team, announced by the league office Tuesday morning.

The many accolades are attributed to one of the strongest seasons UAH has had offensively as well as finishing in second place in the conference with a 16-6-1 record. The seven selections for the Chargers were the second most behind league-champion Delta State and were also tied with Valdosta State.

Brock finished the season with a .432 batting average, which was both tops in the league and on the team. He raked for 42 RBIs, 10 doubles and four home runs. The sophomore also sits in 10th place overall in Division II with his batting average.

With the most hits, highest on base percentage and highest slugging percentage in the conference, Brock becomes just the second UAH baseball player to win the award, joining the likes of Wes Long who won in 2003.

Read the full story from uahchargers.com here

STOCKTON, Calif. - Pacific junior RHP Cory Popham was named Big West Pitcher of the Week Monday after he hurled a complete-game shutout Friday against UNLV. Popham played for the Xenia Scouts in 2010 and 2011.

Popham won his first Division I game, as the transfer from Glendale Community College struck out five and walked just one while surrendering five hits in his nine innings.

The 3-0 Tigers victory required 116 pitches from Popham, who found himself in a jam just once. In the seventh after back-to-back one-out singles, Popham fanned PH Ryan Scott and coaxed a comebacker to end the inning.

Popham gave up a leadoff single in the eighth, but retired the next six to polish off the victory, punching out Scott to end the ballgame.

With both starters dealing, the game was wrapped up in a brisk hour and 44 minutes.

The Altadena, California, native pitched at Occidental College before making his way top Glendale last season. The 2012 All-Southern California and All Western State Conference selection is now 1-0 on the season for Pacific. In 13.2 innings, he has a 2.63 ERA with eight strikeouts against four walks. Popham is holding opponents to a .240 batting average against this season.

Source: Pacific Tigers Athletics

HENDERSON, Tenn. - There are usually plenty of opportunities available for students to take mission trips during the summer months.  Very few, though, offer the chance to do mission work through their sports.

Two Freed-Hardeman student athletes got that opportunity this summer as Jackson Lockhart (baseball) and Ben Meis (men’s basketball) were members of Athletes in Action teams that went overseas to play ball and spend time in the mission field.

Lockhart, a sophomore pitcher from Kettering, Ohio, first heard about Athletes in Action during his sophomore year of high school when his family hosted two players that we playing for an AIA team in Ohio.

“They were awesome guys and made a big impact on my life that summer,” said Lockhart.  “So when I got to college the first summer team I applied for was of course Athletes in Action and I got accepted, and I am extremely grateful that I did.”

This year’s trip was the second for Meis, who went to Columbia last year.  He got involved after his high school coach told him about the program.  This year, the sophomore shooting guard from Memphis, Tenn., went to Puerto Rico for over two weeks.

One of the differences in the second year from the first, said Meis, was his role within the team from a spiritual standpoint.

“During my first year there were some strong Christians [on the team] so I was able to grow.  This year, I was more of a mentor for the other players,” he said.
The schedules for Lockhart and Meis were similar – performing clinics for local athletes, conducting Bible studies, and playing games against local teams.  Lockhart’s group also painted houses and took food and supplies to people in need.

“It was awesome to see how God could use baseball to bring people together for Him,” Lockhart said.

For both players, going into places like the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico – where the standard of living is quite different than in America – proved to be an eye-opening experience.

“It enabled me to focus on the big picture, why we’re here on this earth,” said Meis.  “It helped me become more focused on what really matters.”

“The most surprising part of the trip was the amount of joy that the Dominican people had even though compared to Americans they had almost nothing,” Lockhart added. “It was amazing to me how just simply spending a few hours with them, sharing our stories, and playing baseball could mean so much to them. I definitely saw all the things I take for granted, and learned a lot about making the most of what you have. I was extremely humbled by these people.”

The experience was also unique for Meis because of his team’s coach – his brother, Josh Baney.  Baney, nine years older than Ben, is currently a graduate assistant with the Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball program.  Unfortunately for Meis, his action was limited due to a minor injury he suffered on the trip, but he still enjoyed the chance to play for his older brother.

“It was great.  He’s a good coach and he’s knows what he is doing.  He knows my game and that helps a lot.”

Lockhart said the trip taught him many things, both in baseball and in life.

“What I learned about baseball from this experience is to never take the game for granted. Always respect it, love it, and play hard. In the Dominican Republic baseball means everything,” he said. “Most importantly, I learned how to play the game for God’s glory and how to use the talents he has given me.”

“Beyond baseball, I learned to be thankful for everything that I have. I learned that God can bring you peace and joy no matter your situation or what you have. I learned a lot about humility and how to have a servant’s attitude for other people.”

For Meis, the opportunity to participate again next year with the program is something he would welcome.

“The first time changed my life,” he said.  “It’s the best two weeks I ever spent.”

*Article taken from athletics.fhu.edu

Xenia Scouts Outfielder Collin Radack was named to the All-Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League team.

Radack, a 6-2 185-pound junior at Hendrix College in Conway, Ark., led the Scouts this season collecting 44 hits in 112 at bats for a.393 batting average, third best in the GLSCL. Radack also led Xenia in doubles, with 13 (tied for fifth most in the league), and a .563 slugging percentage (seventh highest in the league).

The 2010 graduate of Cedar Park High School in Austin, Texas clubbed two home runs and  drove in 19 runs for the Scouts.

“I definitely feel blessed to receive this honor, but it is all because of the Lord and what he’s done,” Radack said. “I am disappointed to be the only Scout on the team I thought we had several guys worthy of receiving the award, both offensively and pitching wise.”

Radack, who was also selected to play in the GLSCL All-star game, was grateful to have spent the summer with the team sponsored by Athletes in Action.

“I am really glad I got the experience to play for a team like Athletes in Action and to be around so many great guys,” he said.

Athletes in Action is a Christian ministry based in Xenia, Ohio that is committed to using the platform of sport to share the Gospel of Christ.

XENIA, OH – During the last week of the regular season July 24- 28, the Xenia Scouts  added Vaction Bible School Assistants to their summer resume.  All 27 players and assistant coaches took turns working with the 180-plus different children that attended VBS at Emmanuel Baptist Church of Xenia.

The week was filled with  playing recreation games and helping with crafts and reading Bible stories to youngers ages 4-12.

“I love kids, and this is just a great way to interact with them and model the love that Jesus has for them,” said Scouts infielder David Gabel from Westmont College in California.

The time at the church, where the Scouts meet for their daily discipleship times, was a welcome diversion for the team as they were in the midst of a battle for a playoff position in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate Baseball League.

“We’ve had games all week but this was a good little break for us to work on sharing our faith. That we have been working on all summer,” said outfielder Pat Vickery from Texas Christian University.

Assistant Coach Matt Richter, who is a member at Emmanuel and serves as a liaison between the church and the Scouts, believes in the importance of having the team give back to the EBC and Xenia Communities.

“We want to get the guys out in the community, not just to grow the community’s awareness of the Scouts, but for our guys to be servants,” he said. “That is what we are all about as Christians. We realize the influence we have on families is the greatest influence we have in the community.”

The Scouts encouraged the children in the annual missions giving competition. This year’s funds went to aid The Blind Project, a missions organization that works to prevent human trafficking in Asia. VBSers raised more than $1,500 to benefit the project.

XENIA, OH – The Xenia Scouts came back to defeat the Hamilton Joes 9-8 to go just one game back from the sixth and final playoff spot behind the Lake Erie Monarchs.

The Hamilton Joes took a 4-0 lead after the first inning when Caleb Bryson hit a grand slam, his fifth home run of the season. Xenia cut the lead in half by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth when Collin Radack singled home Buck Harris and Christian Demko worked a bases loaded walk that scored Taylor Kaprive.

In the sixth, Colton Simbeck homered and Tommy Ricciardi singled to score Jeff Smith, which put a couple more runs on the board for the Joes, but Xenia added two as well when Pat Vickery swatted a hit to the outfield that was misplayed by the center fielder, which scored Jonatahn Popadics and Chandler Brock. This make the score 6-4 in favor of Hamilton.

In the seventh, Hamilton added to the lead with a run when Austin Downing scored on a Bryson fielder’s choice, but Xenia tied it up 7-7 when Collin Radack swatted a two-run homer and Christian Demko came around  on a Popadics sacrifice fly.

Hamilton looked like they had the game wrapped up when Tucker Tubbs scored on a Bryson double. Xenia seemed to be going down easy when they got two outs to leadoff the inning, but Justin Fahy got to first after being hit by a pitch. Popadics followed it up with a single and when Chandler Brock popped up to the right fielder, the fielder dropped it, scoring both runners and winning the game for the Scouts.

Xenia had just five hits, but forced 15 walks. Radack had two hits, including a home run, three RBI and a run. Harris had three walks and a run scored and Kaprive one-upped him with four walks and two runs scored. Vickery had no hits, but two RBI. Hamilton had 11 hits, with homers from Bryson and Simbeck. Bryson finished with two hits, one run and six RBI. Simbeck had the other RBI to go with his RBI and run scored. Downing and Tubbs had two runs scored apiece.

Xenia’s Joshua Spears improved to 3-1 for throwing the ninth inning and allowing just one run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout. Hamilton’s Blake Thomas took the loss for allowing five runs, two earned, on four hits in the last three innings of the game. He also walked three and struck out three.

Xenia keeps battling for that sixth and final spot to get into the playoffs Friday night against the Southern Ohio Copperheads at 7:30. As for Hamilton, they try to play spoiler to the Cincinnati Steam’s hopes for a high seed when they play at 7:05 Friday as well.

The Xenia Scouts got timely hitting and strong pitching in defeating the Lexington Hustlers 8-4 in Great Lakes Summer Collegiate Baseball League action  at Grady’s Field in Xenia Tuesday night.

The Scouts strung together three consecutive  hits in te  four-run fifth inning that extended  a 2-0 Scouts lead to 6-0. Taylor Kaprive, the 2b from Palm Beach Atlantic University had the big hit of the inning smashing his third home run of the season. Kaprive is tied with Chandler Brock  for the team lead with 22 RBI on the season.

David Gabel , who went 3-for-4 drove in two runs with his second single of the night driving in his  16^th and 17^th runs of the season in the  eigth inning to make the score 8-2 in favor of the scouts.

Buck Harris  who went 3-for-5 picked up an RBI as well.

Right hander Aaron Kehres from Warner University in Florida  pitched six strong innings  allowing  five hits and two runs, one earned,  with one walk and five strike outs in picking up the win (3-4). Ryan wells  allowed a hit and a walk while recording twos trike outs and Nathan O’lLeary from Yale allowed two earned runs on three hits a nd a walk. Right Hander Joshua Spears came in and recorded the final two outs of the night to pick up his fourth save of the season.

Starter Jacob Hall (3-2) took the loss for the Hustlers. He allowed six runs on nine hits with four walks and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings of work. Reliever Trent Martin  went the final 3/13  giving up two earned runs on five hits  one walk and one strike out.

The Scouts improve to 16-19 on the season and are in seventh place in the Great Lakes League standings, one game behind the Lake Erie Monarchs for the sixth and final playoff spot. The Scouts return to action Wednesday when they host the Lima Locos. First Pitch at Grady’s  Field is scheduled for 7 pm. All Scouts games can be heard via the internet at www. xeniascouts.com

The Xenia Scouts dropped a heart-breaking 9-4 Great Lakes Summer Collegiate Baseball League decision to the grand Lake Mariners Saturday at Jim Hoess Field in Celina, Ohio. The loss snapped the Scouts second three-game win streak of the season.

The Scouts took an early 1-0 lead  in the top of the fourth inning  when Shortstop Jonathan Popadics led off the inning with a triple to right-center field. He came in to score on an rbi-ground out by RF Chandler Brock.

But the advantage was short lived as the Mariners came back and scored twice in the bottom of the frame. Jacb Reese lead off with a single  to third and RF Ryan Blanchard, who went  3-for-5 at the plate, launched a two-run homer to left-center. Blanchard, from the University of Alabama finished a double shy of hitting for the cycle and drove in four of the Mariners runs.

Xenia responded with  two runs in the fifth inning  as DH Taylor Kaprive  leadoff with a walk off Mariner starter and winner Preston Zachrich.  Kaprive advanced to third on  a single up the middle by 1B David Gabel. Bellbrook High grad Christian Demko drove home Kaprive  with a groundout to second one out later. Gabel scored after an error by Mariner 1B Ryan Barnes.

Grand Lake retook the lead for good in the bottom of the inning  when Kyle Haen, who had doubled, scored on a ground out by Reese and 3B Michael Timm, from Wright State, scored on an errant throw by Xenia catcher Buck Harris. Scout starter Michael Keve had struck out Blanchard for the apparent third out of the inning, but Harris dropped the ball and then made a bad throw to first allowing Timm to score the unearned run.

Grand Lake broke the game open in the seventh scoring three runs after a leadoff  double by DH Cody Meyer , Keve hit Haen with an 0-2 breaking pitch, , TImm drew a walk off reliever Ryan Wells. Wells then walked Reese with  the bases loaded scoring Meyer.Shane Armstrong replaced Wells and promptly surrendered a two-run single through a drawn in infield to Blanchard.

Xenia narrowed the deficit to 7-4 in the top of the eighth  when Demko walked then scored on a single by Brock.

Nathan O’Leary came in to pitch the ninth for Xenia and issued walks to Zach Edel and Meyer to open the inning. He uncorked a  wild pitch allowing them to advance 90feet setting the stage for Haen to drive in a run with a sacrifice fly. O’Leary issued two more walks to load the bases again before retiring the final two hitter of the night to escape any further damage.

The loss drops Xenia to 14-18 on the season as they remain one game behind Lake Erie for the sixth and final playoff spot in the GLSCBL.

The Scouts return to action Sunday when they visit Stark County in a double header. First pit of game one is scheduled for 4 pm. All socuts games can be heard on the internet at www.xeniascouts .com.