LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky sophomore two-way standout J.T. Riddle finished his summer in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League on a tear, earning first-team All-GLSCL accolades, it was announced on Monday afternoon.
A native of Frankfort, Ky., Riddle dominated the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League throughout the summer for the Lexington Hustlers and on Monday the league named him the first-team member of the All-GLSCL team, as a utility player.
Riddle’s numbers during the summer were staggering, batting .343 (37-for-108) in 32 games, with 10 doubles, two triples, three homers and 17 RBI. Riddle posted a 19-13 walk-strikeout ratio, stealing two bases while playing mainly shortstop. On the mound, Riddle posted a 3-1 record and a 2.79 ERA in eight games and three starts, posting one save. In 19.1 innings this summer, Riddle allowed only seven walks and 15 hits, striking out 14.
A 6-foot-3, 180-pound left-handed hitter, Riddle’s best game came in his finale with the Hustlers, earning the start on the mound and as the designated hitter. The 2010 Kentucky High School Mr. Baseball went six innings, allowing only three hits and two runs, striking out three for the win. At the plate, Riddle belted his third homer of the summer, finishing just shy of claiming the league batting title.
Named a GLSCL All-Star, Riddle earned the starting assignment at shortstop, playing in the contest which was held at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati, home of the Reds.
COWGILL OPENS MLB CAREER
Former Kentucky first-team All-America outfielder Collin Cowgill has become the third former UK baseball star to play in the big leagues this year and on Saturday he collected his first career MLB hit as a pinch hitter for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
A native of Lexington, Ky., and the 2004 Kentucky High School Mr. Baseball selection out of Henry Clay, Cowgill came up as a pinch hitter – his first career MLB pinch-hitting opportunity – against Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Scott Elbert, connecting on a 91-mph fastball and sending it up the middle to centerfield. On Sunday, Cowgill collected his first career RBI on a 3-0 fastball with one out and the Dodgers infield drawn in, sending it screaming to centerfield.
Cowgill earned the call-up after posting MVP numbers in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League through 98 games, batting .354 (140-for-395) with 24 doubles, eight triples, 13 homers and 70 RBI, stealing 30-of-33 bases. During his three-year UK career, Cowgill batted .306 (171-for-558) in 165 games, totaling 166 runs, 35 doubles, 37 homers, 140 RBI and 32 stolen bags.
DARNELL REACHES DOUBLE-DIGIT WINS
Former Kentucky southpaw Logan Darnell posted his 10th win of the minor league season on Saturday, going seven innings with only one run allowed in the high class A Florida State League.
Darnell, a native of Joelton, Tenn., completed his career at UK as a sixth-round pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2010. In his first full minor league season, Darnell has made 20 starts between low class A and the Florida State League, posting a 10-4 record and a 3.50 ERA. In 115.2 innings, Darnell has allowed only 107 hits and 32 walks, striking out 66 and holding opponents to a .247 average.
MAILE SPLITS UP SUMMER
Kentucky junior catcher Luke Maile has played in two different summer collegiate leagues this summer, spending time in the Cape Cod League and the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.
Maile played in 10 games and registered 18 at bats for the Cotuit Kettleers in the CCL before venturing to the PGCBL. While playing with the Amsterdam Mohawks, Maile has hit .371 (33-for-89) with seven doubles, eight homers and 24 RBI in 25 games. The 6-foot-3 backstop has totaled a .719 slugging and a .486 on-base percentage, owning a 16-18 walk-strikeout ratio.
PHILLIPS’ WCL DOMINATION
Late in the 2011 collegiate season, UK southpaw Alex Phillips emerged as one of the top lefty relievers in the Southeastern Conference. Now after a dominating summer in the West Coast League, Phillips is poised for a strong 2012 season.
A native of Tenino, Wash., Phillips has appeared in 12 games with eight starts for the Wenatchee AppleSox. He has posted a 6-1 record and a 2.09 ERA, tossing 56 innings, allowing only six walks and 40 hits, striking out 59.
