By Kathryne Davis
As recipient of the New York Collegiate Baseball League Player of the Year award, Kevin Brice (Pomona-Pitzer College), is in good company.
The past three winners have all been been taken in the Major League Baseball draft. Chris Bostick (2011 winner) was taken by the Oakland Athletics in the 44th round in 2011. Jon Kemmer (2012) was selected by the Houston Astros in the 21st round in 2013. Last year’s winner, Scott DeJong, was taken in the 2014 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 32nd round.
“I feel optimistic,” said Brice. “I still have to work hard. It feels good knowing that.”
Brice put up outstanding numbers this season. He led the league with his .400 batting average, which was 36 points ahead of the player in second place. His four home runs were tied for second and Brice landed eighth in the league with 32 RBI. He also lead his team in several categories including hits (62), and hit by pitches (12). Brice was tied for first in doubles (ten) and walks (20). He was also second on the team in stolen bases (15), showing that he is an all-around player and does not rely on just power to help his team.
“It felt great,” Brice said on receiving the honor. “My hard work paid off. It felt good to be recognized.”
This summer was also successful for Brice’s team, the Sherrill Silversmiths. The team finished 23-23, and in third place in the Eastern Division and sent them to the playoffs for the first time in team history.
Sherrill won the first game against the Oneonta Outlaws by a score of 8-3 before falling in the next two (3-2/5-4).
Brice had a big part in the team’s record season.
“It’s great for the organization,” said Silversmiths head coach, Greg Dombrowski. “I’m extremely happy for him; he’s extremely deserving. It paid off for him. It was a blast. He came to the park prepared. He is a hard-working and consistent player.”
In a season filled with powerful numbers and successes, Brice’s favorite memory shows that baseball is fun. After thinking about it, he said his favorite memory was the last home run he hit. The game was against Cortland at Beaudry Park. His bat was broken and was only held together by screws put in by teammate Ellington Hopkins’ father. “I was going to use it for batting practice, but I ran out of bats.”
Brice will head into his junior year of college with new baseball knowledge.
“I expect his success to continue,” said Dombrowski. “As long as he continues to put in hard work.”
The Tucson, Ariz, native already knows his time on the Silversmiths has influenced his game.
“It helped to be ready for anything,” he said. “This summer led to good results.
Hank Morrison (Hornell/Mercyhurst) grabbed six first-place votes and finished second. Anthony Massicci (Syracuse Salt Cats/Canisius), the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year, earned two first-place nods as did Sam Kim (Geneva Red Wings/Hawaii Hilo). Fernando Garcia (Geneva Twins/Murray State College), Thad Johnson (St. Bonaventure), Greg Jasek (Cortland/Clarkson), Brandon Sandoval (Hornell/Vanguard) and Ben Mauseth (Oneonta/Grand Canyon) all received one first-place vote.
2014 Player of the Year
Kevin Brice (7) 202
Hank Morrison (6) 170
Anthony Massicci (2) 101
Sam Kim (2) 92
Fernando Garcia (1) 78
Thad Johnson (1) 69
Jimmy Latona 58
Greg Jasek (1) 46
Others receiving votes: Ramon Osuna-Sanchez (Oneonta/College of Charleston), Sandoval, Mauseth, Mike Annone (Geneva Twins/Wilmington), Spencer Scorza (Hornell/Cornell), Nick Wolyniec (Rochester/Bergen CC), Reid Neal (Sherrill/Florida Atlantic), Ted Dilts (Olean/El Camino), Tom Nagy (Syracuse Salt Cats/Bentley), John Cruz (Geneva Red Wings/Dowling), Mike Fahrman (Olean/University of Florida), Andrew Bonnette (Genesee/Walsh), Jason Euler (Genesee/Eastern Illinois), Vinny Mallaro (Syracuse Jr. Chiefs/University of Buffalo), Shane Soria (Rochester/ Glendale CC), Caleb Lang (Niagara/Philadelphia Biblical), Ben Haefner (Wellsville/University of Buffalo), Ryan Wagley (Niagara/Arlington Baptist) and Christ Conley (Wellsville/Canisius).
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