Tuesday, June 14, 2011

MACON, Ga. - The Atlantic Sun Conference posted the second most student-athletes on the NCBWA Freshman All-American team just behind the Southeastern Conference, who earned six spots. Jacksonville's Taylor Ratliff and Chris Anderson both adorned the first team making the Dolphins the only program in the nation with two first-team honorees. Mercer's Austin Barrett and UNF's Alex Bacon, the A-Sun Freshman of the Year, appeared on the second team.

Anderson, who was forced to move to the closer role after injuries plagued the pitching staff, emerged as one of the top closers in the conference by ranking second with 11 saves. He also was the workhorse of staff by setting a program single-season record with 36 appearances. Anderson finished third on the JU staff with a 4-2 record and ranked second with a .229 opponent batting average. The Minnesota native also earned freshman All-America by Collegiate Baseball on June 9 to go along with A-Sun second team and all-freshman accolades.

“This is a good honor for them,” said JU head coach Terry Alexander. “We have been privileged to have our youth lead us these last two seasons. We plan for them to develop and get better while also bringing in some more new talent to help fill their shoes.”

Ratliff hit mainly in the leadoff spot during his first season, finishing third on the squad with a .332 average. He also had 24 RBI, nine doubles, 58 runs, 25 steals and a .424 on-base percentage to receive A-Sun all-freshman accolades.

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Barrett assumed the starting catching duties as a freshman this past season and shined in the role both offensively and defensively. Barrett finished the season hitting .286 to go along with a .379 on-base percentage and a .467 slugging percentage. He chipped in with eight home runs, 35 runs scored and 25 RBI while ranking tied for third on the team with seven sacrifice hits.

“Definitely a well-deserved honor for Austin after establishing himself as one of the premier catchers in the A-Sun Conference last season,” head coach Craig Gibson said. “I am glad to see Austin getting recognized for his accomplishments this past season and we look forward to great things from him over his next three years as a Mercer Bear.”

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Bacon batted .352 on the season, going 70-for-199 with 46 runs scored, 18 doubles, one triple, nine home runs and 42 RBI. He boasted a .588 slugging percentage and a .421 on base percentage. Bacon led the team in runs scored, doubles, hit by pitch, sacrifice flies, games played and outfield assists; second on the team in batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage, hits, runs batted in, home runs, total bases and games started; third on the team in triples and at bats; fourth in total plate appearances; and fifth in walks. He led the team with 22 multiple hit games and 12 multiple RBI games. Bacon recorded the second longest hitting streak of the year at 11 games. He had a season high four runs scored against Belmont, four RBI against Savannah State and recorded three hits in eight different games. Bacon had a pair of doubles against Wagner and Kennesaw State with a triple against USC Upstate, and belted home runs against Georgia Southern, UNC Wilmington (2), Belmont (2), Lipscomb, Savannah State, Mercer and Bethune-Cookman.

“I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to play as a true freshman,” Bacon stated. “I think the confidence that Coach Smoke [Laval] and the upper classman gave me throughout the season definitely helped. The upper classmen helped me throughout the season, guiding me and giving me constructive criticism. The awards are nice, but best thing is the team is headed in the right direction. We had three named [Louisville Slugger] Freshmen All-American and four on the All-Conference Freshman Team so I think we should get better and better over the next couple of seasons.”

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The 2011 NCBWA National Freshman Player of the Year and National Freshman Pitcher of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, June 14.

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