How are the Bryant alums doing in their athletic endeavors? Here's a review:
• Travis Wood, with the Cincinnati Reds' Class AA Minor League affiliate, the Carolina Mudcats, is off to a very good start after being out for much of last summer with an arm ailment. So far, the lefthander is 2-3 with a 1.36 earned run average. In 39 2/3 innings, he's allowed just 27 hits. Opponents are batting just .197 against him. He's struggled some with his control with 24 walks so far but he's fanned 28 and has had his team in every game he's pitched. He's started seven times so far.
• Aaron Davidson is in extended spring training and will pitch with the Arizona Giants, the Rookie League affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, when their season begins on June 21. [more]
• Justin Wells and the Arkansas Razorbacks are in the final stages of the 2009 season. Wells, a right-handed reliever, was expected to be a conference starter this season, his senior campaign, but has been used in all sorts of ways in relief. He's sometimes been given the ugly jobs, closing out lopsided games. In 21 appearances, he's pitched 42 innings, allowing 51 hits and 12 walks. He has struck out 30 and collected three saves, posting a 2-0 record with a 3.43 earned run average.
• Amie Hubbard and the Arkansas Razorbacks softball team are playing in the NCAA Regional at Norman, Okla., this weekend. They lost their opener to Tulsa 6-0 on Friday and were set to try to continue their season with a pair of victories this afternoon and tonight. Another loss would knock them out. Hubbard, the team's senior third baseman, has started all 54 games, compiling a .252 batting average (34 of 135) with 24 runs scored, six doubles, two triples, two home runs and 22 runs batted in. She's also put together a nice .954 fielding percentage.
• Spencer McCorkel is a sophomore pole vaulter at the U of A. The Hogs are competing in the SEC championships but there is no word on McCorkel since he cleared 16-0.75 to finish tied for eighth at the Texas Relays on April 1. At an indoor meet on March 6, he cleared 16-11.5 to finish third. Any further news about Spencer or
• Jason Pelletier, a freshman vaulter at Penn State, would be welcome.
• Danny Riemenschneider, playing at Arkansas State Univeristy, had his playing time increase late in the season. In 47 at bats, he had 10 hits (.213 average) including three doubles. He drove in six while starting nine of the 25 games in which he appeared. He also pitched an inning for the Red Wolves, giving up three runs on three hits with two walks and a strikeout.
• Cory Lambert, a lefty pitcher, went 1-0 with a 7.77 ERA. In 19 appearances, all in relief, he pitched 24 1/3 innings, allowed 37 hits, walked just four and struck out 16.
• James Leigh, another lefty, is completing his senior season at Southeast Missouri and has pitched well, going 7-2 with a 4.71 earned run average. In 15 games, 11 starts, he's worked 80 1/3 innings, given up 88 hits, walked 31 and struck out 83.
• Trent Daniel, who is back in Bryant to pitch for the American Legion Black Sox this summer, went 6-2 as a freshman starter at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. His wins included the 400th victory for head coach Dale Harpeneau. In 14 appearances, 13 starts, Daniel pitched 61 2/3 innings allowing 74 hits, walking 34 and fanning 80 while compiling a 5.69 ERA. Daniel was so impressive, in fact, he received an offer from the Arkansas Razorbacks and will be pitching for the Hogs next year.
• Joey Winiecki, a star outfielder as a freshman for UAFS, had his sophomore season interrupted by injury but not before he compiled a .366 batting average with 19 steals in 21 tries. He was 30 of 82 at the plate, scored 23 runs and drove in eight. He'll be playing at Oral Roberts University next year.
• Todd Bryan finished the year at Henderson State University with a 1-4 mark on the mound. He pitched 41 1/3 innings and struck out 34, allowing 53 hits and 24 walks, posting a 6.53 ERA. He got to bat once, got a hit, drove in a run and scored.
• Richie Wood had his season at Henderson cut short by injury. He only got to play nine games but hit .357 (10 of 28) with two doubles, two triples and a homer, driving in 10 and stealing three bases in four attempts.
• Jordan Knight red-shirted with the Reddies this season.
• Hailey King had a spectacular softball season at Central Baptist College. She led the National Christian College Athletic Association with a .504 batting average (61 of 121), 56 runs batted in and a .950 slugging percentage. In 38 games, she scored 34 times with 16 doubles, a triple and 12 home runs. CBC was the No. 1 seed at the NCCAA championship tournament and reached the semifinals before being knocked out by the Spring Arbor, the fourth seed. No. 2 seed (and tournament host), Palm Beach Atlantic wound up winning the National title.
• Ryan Wilson completed his freshman season at St. Louis Community College-Forest Park after pitching in 10 games. In 29 1/3 innings, he allowed 35 hits but only five walks. He struck out 24 and posted a 5.22 ERA.
• David Guarno finished his freshman season at Crowder Junior College playing in seven games. He had one hit in 11 at bats.
• Tyler Pickett, an honors student at Southern Arkansas University, got into two games for the Muleriders. He went 0 for 3 and scored a run.
• Michael Haydon played in four games for Ouachita Baptist University. He went 1 for 4.
• Preston Adami played at Williams Baptist University but did not get into a varsity game.
dennis fuller
Guarno had his season cut short due to surgery on his throwing arm.