BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The West Virginia State University baseball team was awarded six all-conference honors when the MEC released its annual list of the league’s best players. First baseman Matt Harrison and starting pitcher Ethan Lauchart were named to the first team. Right fielder Michael Stone and relief pitcher Jacob Bradley made the second team. Second baseman Andrew Stone and designated hitter Matthew Kline received honorable mentions.
Grad student Matt Harrison earned First Team All-MEC honors after putting up impressive numbers at the plate this season. In the conference statistical rankings, he was eighth in batting average (.378), second in slugging percentage (.784), fourth in on base percentage (.503), second in runs scored (45), eighth in hits (42), third in runs batted in (39), first in home runs (12), and second in total bases (89).
Fellow grad student Ethan Lauchart also earned First Team All-MEC honors for his outstanding work on the mound in 2021. Lauchart posted a league-low 1.78 ERA while going 6-0 in 10 game appearances. His .201 opposing batting average was third-best in the MEC and his 56 strikeouts in 50.2 innings pitched was seventh-best. Lauchart had the fifth-fewest hits allowed (37), the second-fewest runs allowed (16), and tied for the fewest earned runs allowed (10) in the conference.
Junior Michael Stone was named Second Team All-MEC after a breakout season in 2021. He became the team’s mainstay in right field and finished the regular season with West Virginia State’s highest batting average (.379). Stone is currently on an eight-game hit streak and collected three hits in each of his last three games.
Senior Jacob Bradley (6-2, 2 SV) was also named Second Team All-MEC for his role as the Yellow Jackets’ most reliable relief pitcher. He made a team-high 17 appearances, including five starts, and recorded a 2.88 ERA. Bradley had 19 strikeouts in 25.0 innings pitched.
Seniors Andrew Stone and Matthew Kline received honorable mentions from the MEC. Stone posted a .441 on base percentage while constantly threatening on the base paths. He collected 57 total bases, stretched 11 doubles and three triples, scored 33 runs, and was a perfect 7-for-7 when stealing. Meanwhile, Kline hit .316 with 24 runs batted in and 20 runs scored. He picked up seven doubles, one triple, and three home runs in 95 at bats.
The Yellow Jackets will open the 2021 MEC Baseball Tournament with a noon game against Alderson Broaddus on Thursday, May 13th at Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley.
Courtesy of West Virginia State University Athletic Department