Baseball team prepares to continue fast finish to regular season following 3-5 start
By: CHRISTIAN HARGAS
Sports Editor
The STLCC Archers baseball team began the 2015-16 regular season with a road trip to Mississippi and Louisiana. Playing in Biloxi to Baton Rouge, the Archers started the new campaign losing five of its first eight games to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Baton Rouge Community College, Georgia Highlands College, Volunteer State Community College, and Bossier Parish Community College.
Following the 3-5 start to the season, the Archers returned to Missouri and won eight of their next 10 games, including an eight game winning streak with seven of those eight consecutive wins at home. During the 8-2 run, the Archers scored 78 total runs [7.8 runs per game], including a game on Wednesday, Mar. 9 against Ridgewater College where they scored 22 of those 78 runs.
The Archers would lose four of their next five games following the 8-2 stretch and averaged 4.2 runs per game while allowing an average of 6.6 runs during that five game span. A home game against Jefferson College, originally scheduled for Friday, Mar. 18, was suspended due to inclement weather and resumed on Tuesday, Apr. 12, at Meramec. The Archers lost the game 14-12 in nine innings.
With a 12-11 record through March 22, the Archers won 15 of their next 19 games to improve their record to 12 games over .500. During the 15-4 span, the team had one five game and one six game winning streak.
The Archers completed two consecutive double-header sweeps against North Central Missouri College on March 9-10 [outscoring North Central Missouri College 37-5 during the four games]. They are currently on a three game winning streak following their latest loss to Three Rivers Community College on Thursday, Apr. 14, 9-8.
The Archers’ regular season record stands at 27-15 with 12 games remaining on the schedule. They are 8-4 against conference opponents, 11-11 on the road, 2-0 on neutral fields and 14-4 at home. Offensively, they have collectively scored 315 runs and amassed a .296 batting average with 35 total home runs as a team. Through 42 games, they have a .403 on base percentage and a .451 slugging percentage collectively.
Sophmore outfielder Cory Canterbury leads the team with 56 hits, individually, leading with two triples and nine stolen bases on the season. Centerbury’s 42 runs batted in ranks second on the team behind freshman infielder/outfielder Kyle Stevens [leading with 47]. Stevens, also leading in doubles with 15, and sophomore catcher/infielder David Prost lead the Archers with nine home runs on the season.
The Archers’ pitching staff has amassed a collective earned run average of 4.60 [conference average is 5.09]. They have recorded three total shutouts this season and allowed a .263 opponent batting average [conference average is .266].
Pitchers Joseph Lodes, Seth Mesey, Joey Reeves, Ben Stephens and Jordan Yakel all lead the staff with four wins. Freshman pitcher Stephens is undefeated on the season and leads the team with a 1.56 ERA and two saves through 34.2 innings pitched. Sophomore pitchers Yakel and Mesey lead with 48.0 innings pitched, individually, this season.
With 12 games remaining, currently 12 games over .500, the Archers face Lewis and Clark Community College at Meramec on Thursday, Apr. 21. Following that, they travel on the road for four consecutive games against Crowder College on April 23-24.
The Archers split four games against Mineral Area College with two at home and two on the road on Thursday, Apr. 28, and Saturday, Apr. 30. They close the 2015-16 season on the road against Southwestern Illinois College on Tuesday, May 3.
