Due West, SC – Coming off his 500
th career win, Erskine College baseball coach Kevin Nichols wanted to honor some of the best players to come through the program in his 15 plus seasons. He and his staff sat down and ranked the top 10 hitters and pitchers that have played for the program as well as a few honorable mentions. They also put together an All 500 win team.
Top Ten Hitters Sorted by best OPS year
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS1. Bryan Fogle (07-10) .430 23 28 103 1.427
"Bryan had the most raw power of any player I have ever seen at any level. His work ethic and strive for excellence was second to none. We are very lucky to have had him in our program."
Bryan was a 2 time All-American, was named the National Player of the year in 2010, and played for the Tampa Bay Rays. Bryan also holds the NCAA record for HR, 2B, Slugging, and RBI's
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS2. Casey Smith (03-05) .448 28 18 83 1.366"Casey actually came in as a highly recruited pitcher and had to make several adjustments swinging the bat. Obviously we made the right choice and let him hit"
Casey was an All-American in 2005, was named National Player of the Year in 2005, and played for the San Diego Padres
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS3. Antonio Sabatini (05) .436 30 19 69 1.316"Sabi is arguably the best leadoff hitter in Erskine's history. He caught on very quickly to our hitting approach."
Antonio was an All-American in 2005, led the country in doubles in 2005, and played for the Kansas City Royals
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS4. Kyle Nichols (01) .415 14 16 66 1.262"Kyle coming to play for me was an experience that I will never forget. Watching my brother play was a blessing. He had a tremendous 14 year pro career after Erskine."
Kyle played for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, and Arizona Diamond Backs. His best year was with the Diamond Backs when he hit .312 31 HR 108 RBI
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS5. Chas Anthony (07-10) .417 29 16 63 1.216"Chas excelled on and off the field all 4 years. Our only 3 Time All-American at Erskine, I will always remember his clutch hits in big games."
Chas is the only 3 Time All-American in Erskine's history and holds the NCAA record for Doubles
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS6. Greg Huff (07-10) .391 25 17 46 1.199"Greg was a fierce competitor on the field and in the weight-room. If he didn't get hurt his Sr. year, I think he would have been in our top 5."
Greg played Independent ball in 2010, was a 3 time All Conference, and All-Region player
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS7. Ben Blumenthal (05) .400 20 13 53 1.188"Anytime you get a very talented catch and throw catcher that can hit, you have a special player. Ben was just that, a player that had all the tools"
Ben played for the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees. His best pro year was Ben hit .333 with the Yankees.
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS8. JJ Newman (05-06) .390 15 15 47 1.152
"One of my favorite players, JJ was a guy that loved baseball and soaked up information like a sponge. He was always ready and willing to learn."
JJ played for the New York Mets
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS9. Robbie Knapp (04-06) .395 22 10 59 1.147"I will always remember Robbie for his hard work and dedication to the game. He maxed out his potential and will always be successful with whatever he puts his mind too."
Robbie was an All-American in 2006 and played in the Frontier League professionally.
AVG 2B HR RBI OPS10. John Bolding (08-11) .406 20 17 89 1.146 "John's quiet attitude and laughter will always be missed at Erskine. Elbow surgery slowed him down on the mound but never the less he put up some huge offensive numbers."
Honorable Mentions:
AVG 2B HR RBI OPSAnthony Passalacqua (01-04) .395 22 10 59 1.130"Anthony won the prestigious Jake Todd award, awarded to Erskine's athlete that excels on and off the field. Over the years Pazz has become one of my best friends and we still talk on a weekly basis. I enjoy going to New York every year and working in his hitting facility on Long Island."
Anthony was a 3 time All-Conference selection, played professionally for team Italy
AVG 2B HR RBI OPSShelton Cisson (04-07) .466 23 2 33 1.102 "It was always nice to know as a coach that you didn't have to worry about SS for 4 years. Shelton never hit a single that he didn't try to turn into a double."
Shelton holds the NCAA record for hits
AFTER 2010 with new bats
AVG 2B HR RBI OPSZach Smith .379 37 23 115 1.014 CURRENT PLAYER 3
rd year
Brandon Overstreet .386 20 10 56 1.039 CURRENT PLAYER 2
nd year
Logan Galliher .341 38 15 114 0.870 CURRENT PLAYER 4
th year
Chase Corn (11-14) .324 36 31 158 .924
Top 10 Pitchers W-L Saves IP K BB ERA1. Atlee Pearson (08-11) 20-11 33 218 218 76 3.31 "Atlee was a fierce competitor on the mound. Our go to guy for 4 years, we always felt confident with him on the mound. We are lucky to have him on our coaching staff today."
Atlee was an All-American in 2010, holds the NCAA record for Saves, and played for the San Diego Padres
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA2. Michael Moore (05-09) 32-9 0 278 234 97 2.71 "I will always remember Moore's resiliency, he came up big for us in big games."
Michael was a two time All Conference selection as his 32 wins is second in school history.
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA3. William Buzhardt (07-10) 36-14 3 324 254 110 3.92
"I will always remember Buz's 2010 season which was arguably the best in Erskine history leading the country in wins (15)."
William was a four time all conference selection, holds the school records for wins in a season (15) and career wins (36). In 2010 he was named Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Year as well as an All American.
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA4. Austin Gambrell (13-15) 11-2 0 107 82 13 3.53
"One word comes to mind when I think about Austin, consistency. Throwing three pitches for strikes over his career has proven that is will give us a chance to win ball games."
Austin was named 2014 Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Year and first team all conference.
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA5. Wes Schuler (14-15) 8-2 3 72 52 33 2.24
"Intensity is the one word that best describes Schuler. Giving him the ball to start a game or close a game you are going to get 110%."
Wes was named 2014 Conference Relief Pitcher of the Year and first team all conference.
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA6. Heath Gray (10-13) 14-14 2 227 204 55 3.60
"One of the most durable pitchers we had over these 500 wins. He was a true pitch to contact pitcher, with the unique ability to make guys swing and miss."
Heath was a first team all conference selection in 2013.
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA7. Russell Reid (05-10) 31-14 7 399 272 92 4.53
"The biggest compliment we could give to Russell is naming a role on the pitching staff after him "Reid Role". That is the pitcher who wants to be in every game and that we trust to be in the game when it is crunch time."
Russell holds the school record for career appearances (123) and innings pitched (399) and was an all conference selection in 2005.
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA8. Jake Williams (04-07) 11-5 32 130 117 65 3.54
"I will always remember Jake's presence on the mound. Jake threw hard, he knew he threw hard, and if you were going it beat him you were going to have to beat him with his best stuff."
Jake was a two time all conference selection as is second in school history in saves (32).
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA9. Jonathan Merrell (03-06) 21-21 0 360 300 128 4.30
"One of the hardest working pitchers we ever had. One word comes to mind about Merrell, "Bulldog".
Jonathan was the 2003 CVAC Freshman of the Year and two time all conference selection. He is also third in school history in career strike outs (300).
W-L Saves IP K BB ERA 10. Kit Carter (10-13) 12-7 16 134 126 42 3.91
"Probably the most improved pitcher over his career. After his freshman year I would have never guessed he would have been on this list. He worked hard and became one of the best bullpen pitchers we have ever had."
Kit is fifth in school history in appearances (89) and third in career saves (16).
Erskine College All 500 Team
Starters BenchLeft Field – Greg Huff Middle Infield – Shelton Cisson
Center Field – Antonio Sabatini Middle Infield – JJ Newman
Right Field – Bryan Fogle Corner Infield – Zach Smith
Third Base – Robbie Knapp Catcher – Ryan Price
Shortstop – Brandon Overstreet Outfielder – Anthony Passalacqua
Second Base – Chas Anthony
First Base – Kyle Nichols
Designated Hitter – Casey Smith
Catcher – Ben Blumenthal
Starting Pitchers Relief PitchersMichael Moore Atlee Pearson
William Buzhardt Russell Reid
Jonathan Merrell Jake Williams
Heath Gray Kit Carter
