Hudson making transition to Division I baseball
4/9/2010 3:54:00 PM | Baseball
With 12 games already played in the Southland Conference season, the Sam Houston State Bearkats sit a 6-6. A big part of some of the success they have been having, has been the play from several newcomers.
Junior outfielder from Victoria, Mark Hudson makes coming to a new school and playing for a new team look like a breeze. Hudson has already been named Southland Conference Hitter of the week this season and will look to give a boost to the Kats as they look to bounce back in a three game series against McNeese, beginning tonight.
The transfer from Alvin Junior College says that the hardest part of the transition did simply not know anyone.
"Regardless of whether or not I didn't know anyone, my experience here at Sam has been great experience so far." Hudson said. "The biggest change from coming from juco is mostly that pitchers have better command and there is a lot more movement on the ball."
Head coach Mark Johnson said Hudson has been a big addition to the team.
"He can easily play defense," Johnson said. "Mark has a plus arm and plus speed and because of that I really think Mark is going to do great things for us here at Sam."
Hudson led the Texas Collegiate League during the 2009 summer in hits. He currently ranks second for the Bearkats and is in the top 10 for the Southland Conference.
A few weeks ago when he was named SLC hitter of the week, Hudson was 10-for-23 (.435) with four home runs, nine RBI and seven runs scored.
In the second game of the UTSA series, Hudson belted two home runs in a 4-for-5 effort that produced four RBI. The Bearkats had not won a regular-season game against the Roadrunners since 2005.
"Because of his outstanding summer with the Texas Collegiate League Mark came in confident." Said Johnson, "Although he is still learning, Mark is fortunate enough to have experience and more importantly the tools to continue to do well because he is such a gifted athlete."
Hudson said, everyday he feels like he is getting more and more adjusted to this level of baseball.
"I feel like I am getting the hang of playing with everyone, and I'm looking forward to getting this team back to the regionals playing," Hudson said.
Hudson and the rest of the Bearkats will open a three-game series tonight against McNeese State. First pitch is at 6:30 p.m.
