JSU's Hand Honored as OVC Pitcher of the Week
5/23/2005 10:01:00 PM | Baseball
PADUCAH, Ky.-- Jacksonville State's baseball team continues to enjoy the success of the 2005 season after five players were named to the All-Ohio Valley Conference team on Tuesday. The Gamecocks also took home the award for Freshman of the Year and Coach of the Year.
JSU head coach Jim Case earned OVC Coach of the Year honors after guiding Jax State to the 2005 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championship. The Gamecocks finished with a 19-8 Conference record (32-23 overall) and have won 15 of their last 20 outings, including a season-best six straight wins.
JSU pitcher Donovan Hand was picked as the OVC Freshman of the Year after posting a 9-3 record to rank second in the league in wins and earned run average (2.29). After making 12 appearances in a relief role to start the season, Hand joined the starting rotation in mid-April and has posted a 4-1 record in six starts, all in Conference play, since making the move.
Senior Winston Pearson, junior Lee Drinkard and Hand each were named to the All-OVC first-team. Pearson, a native of Deatsville, was one of three outfielders to receive the honor.
Hand, from Town Creek, was named one of two first-team starting pitchers, while Drinkard was named first-team relief pitcher after recording five saves on the year.
Sophomore Jake Ball, who led the Gamecocks with a .365 batting average, was named to the All-OVC second team. Freshman Brian Piazza, from Montgomery, was an All-OVC second-team outfielder after finishing with 41 RBI.
The 2005 O'Reilly Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Championship begins on Wednesday, but the Gamecocks earned a bye and will start tournament play on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
JSU head coach Jim Case earned OVC Coach of the Year honors after guiding Jax State to the 2005 Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championship. The Gamecocks finished with a 19-8 Conference record (32-23 overall) and have won 15 of their last 20 outings, including a season-best six straight wins.
JSU pitcher Donovan Hand was picked as the OVC Freshman of the Year after posting a 9-3 record to rank second in the league in wins and earned run average (2.29). After making 12 appearances in a relief role to start the season, Hand joined the starting rotation in mid-April and has posted a 4-1 record in six starts, all in Conference play, since making the move.
Senior Winston Pearson, junior Lee Drinkard and Hand each were named to the All-OVC first-team. Pearson, a native of Deatsville, was one of three outfielders to receive the honor.
Hand, from Town Creek, was named one of two first-team starting pitchers, while Drinkard was named first-team relief pitcher after recording five saves on the year.
Sophomore Jake Ball, who led the Gamecocks with a .365 batting average, was named to the All-OVC second team. Freshman Brian Piazza, from Montgomery, was an All-OVC second-team outfielder after finishing with 41 RBI.
The 2005 O'Reilly Ohio Valley Conference Baseball Championship begins on Wednesday, but the Gamecocks earned a bye and will start tournament play on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 17
Saturday, May 16
Wednesday, May 13
Sunday, May 10
