Riley ready to lead baseball hit parade
2/7/2010 3:42:00 AM | Baseball
The sophomore from Woodville opened the 2009 campaign with three hits, including his first home run of his college career. He never slowed down from there. Riley finished the season with 111 hits, breaking the Sam Houston State and Southland Conference record of 103, set by Keith Stein in 2007. Riley hit safely in all but eight games this year which included hitting streaks of 13 and 16 games.
"When you get in a zone like that, you just want to play as many games as you can," Riley said. "I've definitely had some games where I've caught some breaks, and I've had some where I've hit the ball hard and didn't find holes."
Riley finished the year with 37 multiple-hit games in 60 games this season. During the 16-game hitting streak in the middle of the season, he batted .506 (38-for-75). The streak included five consecutive three-hit 8games.
Riley capped the regular season for the Bearkats with a four-hit performance in the Southland Conference Championship game at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi. After striking out in his first at bat, he followed with an RBI triple and then three singles. He also scored a run in the Kats' 7 - 1 win over Texas State-San Marcos, the third-straight SLC Championship for the Bearkats.
"If you look at my first at bat, I had to make an adjustment because it was probably one of my worst at bats of the year," Riley said after the game. "I just went up there looking for the fastball and got it a few times where I was able to take advantage of it."
Riley's 2009 season continued what is becoming a recurring theme for Sam Houston State hitters. In the 55-year history of the Southland Conference, only three players have ever amassed 100 or more hits in a season. They have all been Bearkats and they have all done it in the last three seasons under SHSU head coach, Mark Johnson. In addition to Stein's 103 in 2007, Todd Sebek collected 101 hits in 2008. Also this year, senior Nick Zaleski fell a hit short of becoming the fourth player to do it.
"It's good any time we can get Sam Houston State baseball recognized nationally," Johnson said. "I'm proud we can get our name out there and for Braeden to get the recognition."
Riley was named first-team All-SLC at second base and was a finalist for several All-American teams. He still has two seasons left to play for the Bearkats and a couple more seasons like the one he just had will leave him as the all-time SHSU hit king.
Riley already has been named to one preseason All-America list this spring and is a preseason first team All-Southland Conference pick.
"I don't think it has really sunk in yet," said Riley, who had just 22 hits in his first season. "I try and not get caught up in that stuff. If the hits come, they come. If not, I'll try and do what I can on defense."
The Sam Houston State baseball team begins its 2010 schedule Friday through Sunday Feb. 19-21 with a three-game series in Fort Worth against TCU. The home opener at Don Sanders Stadium is Tuesday, Feb.23 against Prairie View A&M.
Season tickets for Sam Houston baseball are on sale now on line at www.gobearkats.com. Go to the season ticket information page for complete details.
Fans also may contact the Sam Houston State athletic ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
