Let’s Play Two

Brendan Hendriks had four hits and drove in five runs in Cotuit's doubleheader sweep.
Brendan Hendriks had four hits and drove in five runs in Cotuit’s doubleheader sweep.

 

Mike Roberts seems like the kind of guy who would have been right with Ernie Banks when the Cub legend famously said, “Let’s play two.” Roberts and his Cotuit Kettleers are making Ernie proud so far this summer.

The Kettleers have swept each of their Sunday doubleheaders this season. They beat Chatham on the first go-round then held off Brewster 7-4 and 4-3 yesterday. They’re only team that has swept both of its twin bills, and the doubleheader victories account for four of their six wins of the season.

They had lost four in a row heading into yesterday’s set, including a 9-1 thrashing at the hands of Y-D on Saturday. But against the Whitecaps, they got solid performances from their usual parade of pitchers and made the most of their offensive chances. They scored seven runs on only seven hits in the first game. In the second, they trailed 3-2 entering the seventh – the final inning because of the doubleheader – but scored two runs to win it.

Brendan Hendriks (San Francisco) was the offensive hero, going 4-for-8 with five RBI in the two games. He delivered a walk-off RBI double to win game two.

Hendriks, a college teammate of former Kettleer star and first-round pick Bradley Zimmer, has been doing his best impression of late. He ranks second in the league in hitting with a .394 batting average and is six for his last 12.

Jake Fincher (NC State) had two hits in the second game, including a single that started the seventh-inning rally. Ashton Perritt (Liberty) had a pinch-hit RBI single to tie the game.

The comeback made a winner out of Trey Wingenter (Auburn), who went two scoreless innings as the fifth Cotuit pitcher of the game.

In the first game, Hendriks knocked in three runs and Austin Byler (Nevada) homered to lead the offense. Adam Whitt (Nevada) picked up his league-best third win of the year with 3.1 scoreless innings of relief.

 

Harwich 3, Falmouth 1; Harwich 6, Falmouth 0

Like Cotuit, Harwich was sliding but snapped a two-game skid with a sweep of Falmouth. The Mariners 9-3, tied with Bourne for the best record in the league. In game one, Matt Gonzalez (Georgia Tech) and Cavan Biggio (Notre Dame) knocked in all the runs Jared Poche (LSU) would need. He struck out six and gave up one run in five innings. Ronnie Glenn (Penn) pitched two innings for the save. In game two, the Mariners got even better pitching. Jon Harris (Missouri State) went six shutout innings, striking out six and scattering five hits. Robby Kalaf (Florida International) pitched the last inning to finish off the shutout. Sal Annunziata (Seton Hall) homered to lead the offense.

 

Bourne 3, Y-D 1; Bourne 3, Y-D 1

The Braves posted a pair of 3-1 victories over the Red Sox and have now won four straight overall. In the first game, Andrew Sopko (Gonzaga) struck out seven in four innings of one-run ball before three relievers tossed a scoreless inning each. Joey Strain (Winthrop) pitched the final inning for a save. Harrison Bader (Florida) led the offense with two hits and two RBI. Jordan Tarsovich (VMI) had three hits for Y-D. In game two, the Red Sox led 1-0 into the fifth but the Braves scored three there and never looked back. Richard Martin Jr. (Florida) went 2-for-3 and Blake Davey (Connecticut) knocked in two runs. Dylan Nelson (Radford) allowed one run in five innings for the win and John Gorman (Boston College) notched his league-best fourth save.

 

Hyannis 5, Orleans 4; Hyannis 1, Orleans 0

The Harbor Hawks scored a late run in each game to grab a sweep of Orleans. The first game went to extra innings after Orleans had scored three runs in its final at-bat on back-to-back homers by Timmy Robinson (USC) and Mitchell Tolman (Oregon) to tie the game. But in the eighth, Hyannis pushed the winning run across on an Austin Slater (Stanford) RBI. In game two, the teams were scoreless until the sixth, when Slater struck again on an RBI single. His Stanford teammate Marcus Brakeman, who was dominant, finished it off from there. Brakeman struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced in three scoreless innings. Sarkis Ohanian (Duke) started the game and went four scoreless for the Harbor Hawks.

 

Chatham 4, Wareham 2; Wareham 7, Chatham 3

The only doubleheader split happened at Spillane Field, where Chatham took the first game before Wareham responded for a win in game two. The Anglers fell behind 2-0 in the first inning of game one but scored one in the third and three in the fifth. Jake Fraley (LSU), Landon Lassiter (North Carolina) and Patrick Mazeika (Stetson) knocked in a run each, while Kal Simmons (Kennesaw State) and Ty Moore (UCLA) had two hits each. Charlie Dant (Dayton) allowed just two unearned runs in four innings and Lou Distasio (Rhode Island) went one scoreless frame before giving way to standout reliever Kyle Davis (USC). Davis, who leads the league in appearances and strikeouts, went two scoreless for his second save. In the nightcap, Wareham got five good innings from recent Omaha arrival Drew Harrington (Louisville). Chatham managed three in the seventh but nothing more. The Gatemen offense got three hits from Willie Calhoun (Arizona) plus a home run from Blair Beck (Kansas).

 

What to Watch

With the doubleheaders in the books, it’s a league-wide day off on Monday.

Sun Splashed

Ryan Kellogg, pictured last year, had a strong first start in 2014.
Ryan Kellogg, pictured last year, had a strong first start in 2014.

 

Wednesday was one of the hottest days of the summer so far, and two Sun Devils must have felt right at home.

Arizona State’s Ryan Kellogg went six strong innings for Bourne as the Braves topped Cotuit 5-4, while spring teammate Brett Lilek went four scoreless frames in a 5-0 shutout for Orleans over Brewster.

The perennial powerhouse Sun Devils didn’t have their best season this year, finishing 33-24 and losing in an NCAA Tournament Regional to Sacramento State. But the uncharacteristic early exit wasn’t for lack of success from their top two starting pitchers. Lilek emerged as an ace in his sophomore season, putting up a 2.68 ERA with 79 strikeouts on his way to first-team all-conference honors. Kellogg, who starred last year as well, had his ERA climb to 3.76 but still went 8-3 and was a workhorse with 103 innings pitched.

Both Kellogg and Lilek look poised for big summers, and they delivered in their first appearances.

Kellogg, making a return trip to Bourne, struck out seven and scattered seven hits in six innings. He gave up three runs, but only one was earned. Cotuit threatened against the Braves bullpen, but Lucas Laster (Mississippi State) and John Gorman (Boston College) slammed the door.

The Bourne offense scored four runs in the first inning and never trailed. Billy Fleming (West Virginia), Blake Davey (Connecticut), Ryan Howard (Missouri) and Kellogg’s ASU teammate Brian Serven all had one RBI. Logan Taylor (Texas A&M) had three hits for Cotuit. Bourne improved to 5-2 while Cotuit dropped to 4-3.

In Orleans, the Firebirds also staked their ASU starter to an early lead, scoring all five of the game’s runs in the bottom of the first. David Fletcher (Loyola Marymount), a defensive whiz who was off to a slow start with the bat, broke out with a 3-for-3 night. Timmy Robinson (USC) hit a home run and drove in three, adding to the Firebirds’ league-best total of eight.

Lilek went only four innings but was dominant, striking out six of the 14 batters he faced and giving up just two hits, both singles. Ryne Combs (Kentucky) and Kyle Wilcox (Bryant) followed with two scoreless innings apiece before a perfect ninth from Bobby Dalbec (Arizona).

Levi MaVorhis (Kansas State) rescued Brewster after the first inning and went six scoreless, striking out five.

Orleans improved to 3-4. Brewster is also 3-4.

 

Harwich 6, Hyannis 3 (11 innings)

In a battle of teams off to strong starts, Harwich continued the best start in the league with an extra-innings victory over Hyannis. The Mariners, now 6-1, had allowed Hyannis to tie the game with a run in the eighth, but they struck first in extras with three in the top of the 11th. Cavan Biggio (Notre Dame) had a sacrifice fly, Matt Gonzalez (Georgia Tech) had an RBI single and Ian Happ (Cincinnati) had a sacrifice fly. Ray Castillo (Alabama) gave up two hits in the bottom of the 11th, but with the tying run at third, he struck out Dylan Bosheers (Tennessee Tech) to end it. The win went to Jacob Evans (Oklahoma), who went 2.1 strong innings. Starter James Mulry (Northeastern), dominant on opening night, gave up two runs in six innings in his second start. Happ had two hits and is hitting .500 for the summer. Gonzalez, Kyle Barrett (Kentucky), and Sal Annunziata (Seton Hall) also had two hits. Bobby Melley (Connecticut) had two hits and Carl Wise (College of Charleston) homered for the Harbor Hawks.

 

Chatham 4, Y-D 1

The Anglers won their second straight and created a logjam of 3-4 teams in the East. Jordan Hillyer (Kennesaw State) allowed one hit and one unearned run in five strong innings for Chatham. Lou Distasio (Rhode Island) and Kyle Davis (USC) combined for four scoreless innings in relief. A.J. Murray (Georgia Tech) led the Chatham offense with a home run and two RBI. Blake Butera (Boston College) and Ty Moore (UCLA) had two hits each.

 

Falmouth 5, Wareham 4

Wareham out-hit Falmouth 14-8 but the Commodores managed one more run on the scoreboard in the 5-4 victory. Tate Matheny (Missouri State) went 2-for-4 with a home run in his last game before Team USA training camp, while Kevin Newman (Arizona) also had two hits before he departs. Sam Gillikin (Auburn) added two hits and an RBI for Falmouth. Kevin McCanna (Rice) picked up his second win of the season with his second six-inning effort. He gave up three runs and struck out four. Wareham got three hits apiece from Willie Calhoun (Arizona), Keaton Aldridge (Memphis) and Chris Chinea (LSU) but left 12 runners on base.

 

What to Watch

Jason Inghram (William & Mary) makes his second start for Harwich after seven innings of two-hit baseball last week. The Mariners host Chatham at 7 p.m.

Talent Coming to Harwich Again

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TeamLogo_Harwich2003.jpgIn recent years, the Harwich Mariners have won the preseason roster battle almost every year. Of course, that means little in any season, especially in a Cape Cod Baseball League season, and the results bear that out. The Mariners won the league championship in 2008 and finished in last place the next year. They won again in 2011, but have been up and down since.

But the fact remains. The Mariners are very good at bringing in talent. And when it comes together well, look out.

This year should be no different. Harwich brings back the league’s top returning prospect in Ian Happ, and has other sophomore stars joining him. The pitching staff features some young guys with upside and quite a few veterans who have had big college success.

It adds up to a club that’s in preseason contention again. We’ll see how it pans out.

 

THE SKINNY

Manager: Steve Englert
Last Year: 23-19-2; Lost in East Semis
Returning Players: 3
Juniors: 10
Sophomores: 20
Freshmen: 4

 

NOTABLE

  • Michael Boyle comes to Harwich from Radford, the same path taken by Colorado Rockies prospect Eddie Butler, who vaulted from the Cape to the Majors in just three years. Boyle had a strong sophomore season.
  • Jake Drossner returns to Harwich after emerging as a solid weekend starter for Maryland this spring. He had a better ERA than teammate Jake Stinnett, a second-round pick of the Cubs.
  • Oklahoma pitcher Jacob Evans had a high ERA this spring but had a terrific strikeout-to-walk ratio of 54 to 7.
  • Harwich has quite a few guys who have been very consistent starters for mid-major programs, like Boyle, Jon Harris at Missouri State and Jason Inghram at William & Mary.
  • Jason Vosler was just drafted by the Cubs in the 16th round, so we’ll see if he makes it to Harwich.
  • The Citadel’s Skyler Hunter has 28 career saves, so I’d bet on him taking the closer’s job.
  • LSU freshman Jared Poche’ jumped right into the weekend rotation in Baton Rouge, which you don’t see all that often. That alone makes him a pitcher to watch.
  • Skye Bolt looked destined for stardom last spring and spent the summer with Team USA. Bolt had kind of a down year by comparison in 2014, but the bright side for Harwich is that Team USA probably won’t come calling again.
  • No returning hitter has a better Cape League track record than Ian Happ, who was one of the top prospects in the league last year.
  • Harwich has two sons of former Major Leaguers, and their dads were teammates. Tyler Servais is the son of Scott Servais and Cavan Biggio’s dad is Craig Biggio. Both played with the Astros.
  • Joe McCarthy has put up terrific all-around numbers for Virginia this spring. You could make the case that he’s been one of the two or three best players for the Omaha-bound Cavaliers.
  •  

    FIVE TO WATCH

    1. Ian Happ
    2. Skye Bolt
    3. C.J. Hinojosa
    4. Jake Drossner
    5. Jared Poche’

     

    PITCHERS

    Michael Boyle – LHP – 6’2 185 – Radford – Sophomore
    Ray Castillo – RHP – 6’0 180 – Alabama – Sophomore
    *Jake Drossner – LHP – 6’3 195 – Maryland – Sophomore
    Zack Erwin – LHP – 6’4 180 – Clemson – Freshman
    Jacob Evans – LHP – 6’2 205 – Oklahoma – Sophomore
    Ronnie Glenn – LHP – 6’3 220 – Pennsylvania – Junior
    Jon Harris – RHP – 6’4 160 – Missouri State – Sophomore
    Skylar Hunter – RHP – 6’1 185 – The Citadel – Sophomore
    Jason Inghram – LHP – 6’3 195 – William & Mary – Junior
    Robby Kalaf – RHP – 6’0 210 – Florida International – Junior
    Seth McGarry – RHP – 6’0 180 – Florida Atlantic – Sophomore
    James Mulry – LHP – 6’3 215 – Northeastern – Sophomore
    Gavin Pittore – RHP – 6’3 230 – Wesleyan – Sophomore
    Jared Poche’ – LHP – 6’1 195 – LSU – Freshman
    Robert Youngdahl – LHP – 6’2 190 – Notre Dame – Sophomore
    * – returning player

     

    Michael Boyle – LHP – 6’2 185
    Radford
    Sophomore

    Boyle had a solid freshman season in Radford’s weekend rotation last year and flashed ace potential in a return engagement this season. Boyle finished with a 4.09 ERA but led the team in strikeouts with 69 in 81.1 innings. He twirled a two-hit shutout with 14 strikeouts against Winthrop in his career-best outing. Boyle dominated the Cal Ripken League last year with a 0.77 ERA and he was named the circuit’s top prospect by Perfect Game.

    Ray Castillo – RHP – 6’0 180
    Alabama
    Sophomore

    Castillo set an Alabama freshman record with 12 saves on his way to Freshman All-American honors last year. The Crimson Tide went with a different closer this year, as Castillo finished with a 5.09 ERA and no saves.

    Jake Drossner – LHP – 6’3 195
    Maryland
    Sophomore

    Drossner had an ERA over six in his freshman campaign but had a good showing in Harwich, where he posted an ERA under one in 10 appearances. That was a sign of things to come, as Drossner emerged as a solid weekend starter this year. Drossner sported a team-best 2.45 ERA to go with 59 strikeouts in 62.1 innings.

    Zack Erwin – LHP – 6’4 180
    Clemson
    Freshman

    Erwin has shuffled in and out of the starting rotation for the Tigers the last two years, but has delivered decent results in both roles. He had a 3.45 ERA as a freshman. This year it was at 4.21. He picked up two saves this year while ranking third on the team in strikeouts with 62.

    Jacob Evans – LHP – 6’2 205
    Oklahoma
    Sophomore

    Evans saved nine games as a freshman in Norman but met some struggles in a swing role this year. He finished with an ERA over five, while starting nine games and making 12 relief appearances. On the bright side, he struck out 54 in 58.2 innings and walked just seven all season.

    Ronnie Glenn – LHP – 6’3 220
    Pennsylvania
    Junior

    Glenn tied a school record with eight saves last year but left the late-inning duty behind as he converted to starting full-time this season. It was a smooth transition as Glenn put up a 3.46 ERA and earned an Honorable Mention All-Ivy nod.

    Jon Harris – RHP – 6’4 160
    Missouri State
    Sophomore

    Injuries thrust Harris into the weekend rotation as a freshman last year and he responded by becoming the first pitcher in school history to win his first eight starts. The streak eventually ended, but Harris continues to pitch well. He had a 3.16 ERA this year with 66 strikeouts in 79.2 innings.

    Skylar Hunter – RHP – 6’1 185
    The Citadel
    Sophomore

    Hunter burst onto the scene last year, saving 13 games with an 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings mark. He reprised his closer’s role again this year and was even more dominant, saving 15 games while posting a 1.67 ERA. He struck out 44 in 43 innings and allowed opponents to hit just .143 against him.

    Jason Inghram – LHP – 6’3 195
    William & Mary
    Junior

    After two good seasons for the Tribe, Inghram blossomed into a bona fide ace this season. He went 10-2 with a 2.71 ERA and struck out 91 in 109.2 innings. He earned second-team All-CAA honors. He led the conference in innings pitched.

    Robby Kalaf – RHP – 6’0 210
    Florida International
    Junior

    Kalaf dominated in the JUCO ranks for the State College of Florida and made a pretty good transition to D-I baseball this season. Kalaf had an ERA of 3.74 while making 10 starts and four relief appearances.

    Seth McGarry – RHP – 6’0 180
    Florida Atlantic
    Sophomore

    McGarry has made only 13 appearances in two seasons but has done well in the limited action. He had a 1.52 ERA in 11.2 innings this year.

    James Mulry – LHP – 6’3 215
    Northeastern
    Sophomore

    Mulry earned Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie honors last year and followed it up with a pretty good sophomore season. He lowered his ERA to 4.06 and struck out 30 in 37.2 innings.

    Gavin Pittore – RHP – 6’3 230
    Wesleyan
    Sophomore

    A late addition to the roster, Pittore is coming off a big season for Wesleyan. He went 7-1 with a 2.88 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 59.1 innings.

    Jared Poche’ – LHP – 6’1 195
    LSU
    Freshman

    Poche’ took a rare leap when he joined the Tigers weekend rotation in his first season in Baton Rouge, but it was a smooth ride. Poche went 9-3 with a 2.45 ERA, striking out 52 in 91.2 innings. He took home several Freshman All-America honors.

    Robert Youngdahl – LHP – 6’2 190
    Notre Dame
    Sophomore

    A 37th-round pick in 2011, Youngdahl bounced from Kansas State to Iowa Western Junior College to Notre Dame and seems to have found a home in South Bend. He delivered a 1.93 ERA out of the bullpen this spring despite walking more batters than he struck out. He also was a regular in the Irish lineup, hitting .225 and leading the team in extra-base hits with 15.

     

    POSITION PLAYERS

    Craig Aikin – OF – 5’10 170 – Oklahoma – Sophomore
    Angelo Amendolare – INF – 5’10 170 – Jacksonville – Junior
    Kyle Barrett – OF – 5’11 – 180 – Kentucky – Sophomore
    Cavan Biggio – INF – 6’2 180 – Notre Dame – Freshman
    Skye Bolt – OF – 6’3 185 – North Carolina – Sophomore
    Guy Davidson – INF – 6’1 185 – Wesleyan – Sophomore
    Matt Gonzalez – INF – 6’0 192 – Georgia Tech – Sophomore
    *Ian Happ – INF – 5’11 192 – Cincinnati – Sophomore
    Anthony Hermelyn – C – 6’1 200 – Oklahoma – Sophomore
    *C.J. Hinojosa – INF – 5’10 180 – Texas – Sophomore
    Joe McCarthy – OF – 6’3 215 – Virginia – Sophomore
    Alex Perez – INF – 5’10 165 – Virginia Tech – Junior
    Brendon Sanger – OF – 6’0 155 – Florida Atlantic – Sophomore
    Tyler Servais – C – 6’2 215 – Princeton – Junior
    Jordan Tarsovich – OF – 5’10 175 – VMI – Junior
    Kenny Towns – INF – 6’0 185 – Virginia – Junior
    Jason Vosler – INF – 6’1 190 – Northeastern – Junior
    Matt Winn – C – 6’0 210 – VMI – Junior
    Danny Zardon – INF – 6’1 185 – LSU – Freshman
    * – returning player

     

    Craig Aikin – OF – 5’10 170
    Oklahoma
    Sophomore

    Aikin has started all but one game in his two seasons at Oklahoma and has been a steady contributor. After hitting .286 as a freshman, he bumped to .326 this year, good for second on the team. He led the team in OBP at .411 and stole five bases.

    Angelo Amendolare – INF – 5’10 170
    Jacksonville
    Junior

    A junior-college transfer, Amendolare hit .278 and stole 16 bases in his first season with the Dolphins.

    Kyle Barrett – OF – 5’11 – 180
    Kentucky
    Sophomore

    After leading the Wildcats in hitting as a freshman, Barrett was named the third-best prospect in the Perfect Game Collegiate League last summer. His averaged dipped to .253 this spring.

    Cavan Biggio – INF – 6’2 180
    Notre Dame
    Freshman

    The son of former Big Leaguer Craig Biggio, Cavan came to Notre Dame with high expectations after getting selected in the 29th round out of high school by the Phillies. Joining big brother Conor on campus, Cavan hit .246 in his debut season but showed some pop with 14 extra-base hits.

    Skye Bolt – OF – 6’3 185
    North Carolina
    Sophomore

    Bolt was one of the top freshmen in the country last year and spent the summer with Team USA. He didn’t have quite as much success this spring, hitting .257 with four home runs.

    Guy Davidson – INF – 6’1 185
    Wesleyan
    Sophomore

    A Harwich native, Davidson was a late addition to the roster and will get a shot to make an impression with his hometown club. This spring, he hit .273 with 21 extra-base hits for Wesleyan.

    Matt Gonzalez – INF – 6’0 192
    Georgia Tech
    Sophomore

    An 11th-round pick out of high school, Gonzalez had a good freshman season in Atlanta then played 26 games for Bourne in the Cape League last summer. Now ticketed for Harwich, Gonzalez is coming off a sophomore season in which he hit .314 with 23 extra-base hits.

    Ian Happ – INF – 5’11 192
    Cincinnati
    Sophomore

    Happ delivered one of the most eye-opening performances of the 2013 Cape Cod Baseball League season and was named the league’s ninth-best prospect by Perfect Game and its top freshman. For an encore, Happ was a model of consistency, finishing the spring with the same .322 average he finished with in 2013. He had five homers, a .443 OBP and 19 stolen bases.

    Anthony Hermelyn – C – 6’1 200
    Oklahoma
    Sophomore

    Like his teammate Aikin, Hermelyn has been an everyday player from the word go and has been solid throughout his career. He hit .289 this season with two homers.

    C.J. Hinojosa – INF – 5’10 180
    Texas
    Sophomore

    A 26th-round pick out of high school, Hinojosa was off to a strong start with Harwich last summer when he got the call to Team USA. This spring, he has helped lead the Longhorns to the College World Series this year, hitting .300 with a homer and 33 RBI.

    Joe McCarthy – OF – 6’3 215
    Virginia
    Sophomore

    McCarthy had a Freshman All-American season for the Cavs in 2013 and has been one of the best hitters for an Omaha-bound squad this season. He’s hitting .303 with six homers, a team-high 22 extra-base hits and 46 RBI. He was named the 37th-best prospect in the Northwoods League by Perfect Game last summer.

    Alex Perez – INF – 5’10 165
    Virginia Tech
    Junior

    Perez has started 170 consecutive games since arriving in Blacksburg three years ago. He hit .249 this year and made only four errors in the field.

    Brendon Sanger – OF – 6’0 155
    Florida Atlantic
    Sophomore

    Sanger led the Owls in hitting as a freshman and did the same this year, finishing at .332 to go with a .451 OBP and 15 extra-base hits.

    Tyler Servais – C – 6’2 215
    Princeton
    Junior

    The son of former Major League catcher Scott Servais, Tyler was a 36th-round pick out of high school. He hasn’t broken out with the bat in his time at Princeton, hitting .216 this year. Knowing his father, I’d venture a guess that he’s a strong defensive catcher.

    Kenny Towns – INF – 6’0 185
    Virginia
    Junior

    Towns has been a consistent contributor for Virginia in each of his three seasons in Charlottesville. He’s hitting .261 this year with two home runs.

    Jason Vosler – INF – 6’1 190
    Northeastern
    Junior

    Vosler has been a mainstay for the Huskies for three years and is coming off a junior season in which he hit .322 with a .419 OBP. As a junior, he was eligible for the draft this year and went in the 16th round to the Cubs, so he’ll have a decision to make.

    Matt Winn – C – 6’0 210
    VMI
    Junior

    Winn hit .333 as a sophomore and was on the Johnny Bench Award watch list. He struggled this year to a .204 average.

    Danny Zardon – INF – 6’1 185
    LSU
    Freshman

    Like his teammate Poche’, Zardon was a highly-touted recruit for LSU. He didn’t get as much of a chance to prove himself this year but did hit .268 in 28 games.