A Closer Look: Freshmen impact shown in win
5/27/2016 1:19:00 AM | Baseball
SUGAR LAND -- Sam Houston State baseball might have sported five starting freshmen in Thursday's 12-2 victory over Central Arkansas in the Southland Tournament, but they showcased as much experience as any player at Constellation Field.
Freshmen left fielder Clayton Harp, designated hitter Jaxxon Grisham and third baseman Andrew Fregia combined for eight runs and eight hits on the game, each adding a double to their names in route to seven-inning, run-ruled game.
“It was good to see those three freshmen come out and compete and be able to contribute the way they did tonight,” second-year head coach Matt Deggs said. “That's gigantic for us, especially moving down the road.”
Harp went 3 for 5 at the plate with an RBI while Grisham went 2 for 2 with a walk and four runs. Fregia was able to turn around a hitless day yesterday against Stephen F. Austin State to go 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBIs tonight.
“We knew a few of us freshmen were going to have to step up [this season] and play the game, and we've just been thriving on it,” Harp said. “We've been grinding it out, doing what we can when called upon. We try to play above our level, not as freshmen. It's been working out really good with all us young guys.”
The freshmen dominance extended past the bats. Freshman starting right-handed pitcher Riley Gossett tossed six innings with four early strikeouts and improved his record to 7-0 on the season.
“The seniors have helped us, and the juniors have helped us through this entire process and kind of brought us up with them,” Gossett said. “We couldn't do it without them. We play together like that 'Pack.' Individually we're not that great, but when you put us together, it's something special.”
Deggs tells his youngest players that they're no longer freshmen, according to Fregia. They look at themselves as just playing their part toward team success.
“Everybody plays a role,” Fregia added. “We all look at ourselves as sophomores, and everybody looks at us as the same age on the team. We do our job, and everybody does their job, and it's great.”
The quartet and the rest of the Kats will play the winner of tomorrow's UCA and SFA contest tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Constellation Field.
