#TCCBaseball: Curtis, Vann, Garcia lead six all-PC selections
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (May 4, 2017) – Tallahassee Community College placed a total of six players on the Coaches’ All-Panhandle Conference baseball teams, including a trio of first-team selections.
Outfielders Jordan Curtis and Cole Vann and pitcher Derick Garcia were the Eagles’ first-team all-PC representatives while third baseman Josh Nothdorft, designated hitter Myron Mebane and outfielder Tanner Thomas earned a spot on the all-PC second-team.
Curtis, a Tallahassee native and Lincoln High School product, joined the Eagles as a transfer after playing his freshman season at Lander University. He made an immediate impact, developing into one of the top leadoff hitters in the state, if not the country.
In 48 games, Curtis has posted a .368 batting average, three home runs and 20 RBIs and, with 34 stolen bases, is threatening the Eagles’ single-season record of 38, set by the late Ryan Freel in 1995. He also leads the team with 51 runs scored.
Vann, a freshman from Colquitt, Ga., has played in 49 games, splitting time in the field and as the Eagles’ designated hitter. His .372 batting average is just one point off the team lead, and he has posted team-highs in doubles (13), home runs (6), RBIs (48), on-base percentage (.495) and slugging percentage (.581).
Vann delivered, arguably, the Eagles’ biggest hit of the season – a tenth-inning grand slam that proved to be the difference in a 10-8 win over Daytona State College in last Thursday’s FCSAA Wild Card round.
Garcia, a freshman from Pembroke Pines, Fla., has posted a 6-1 record, three saves and 2.08 ERA in 18 appearances, all but two in relief. In 47.2 innings, he has allowed only 38 hits, 18 runs (11 earned) and 19 walks while striking out 28.
Nothdorft and Mebane, both sophomores from Tallahassee, played at rivals Leon High School and Lincoln High School, respectively.
Nothdorft, who switched to third base after playing at second as a freshman, leads the team with a .373 batting average, despite playing in only 32 games due to two separate injuries. He has scored 28 runs and recorded four doubles and eight stolen bases.
Mebane, like Vann, has split time in his 34 games played between designated hitter and the field. He is batting .333 on the season but raised that to a .367 clip in Panhandle play, and has hit safely in his last 16 games.
Thomas, a freshman from Jacksonville, Fla., has played in 51 games and posted a .294 batting average with five home runs and 46 RBIs.
The five league coaches also ranked the top ten players from the 16-member first-team, and Curtis and Vann were voted No. 6 and No. 9, respectively.