Arkansas summer baseball recap

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas baseball team was well represented in summer baseball with 16 players competing in various leagues throughout the country. Here’s a look at how they performed.

Sophomore infielder/outfielder Brian Anderson played his summer ball in the Northwoods League as a member of the Lakeshore Chinooks. For the summer, Anderson hit .290 with five home runs and 18 RBI while also compiling a .330 on-base percentage. 

Junior right-handed pitcher Barrett Astin spent his summer playing in the Cape Cod League for the Wareham Gatemen. Astin recorded 15 strikeouts in 21.2 innings for the Gatemen while going 0-4 with a 6.65 ERA during the regular season. In the playoffs, Astin posted a 1-1 record with a 5.84 ERA, striking out six batters in 12.1 innings. Astin, along with teammate Colby Suggs, helped the Gatemen to the 2012 Cape Cod League championship.

Redshirt junior outfielder Jimmy Bosco enjoyed a stellar summer in the Northwoods league playing for the La Crosse Loggers. During the regular season, he batted .301 with eight homers, which ranked third on the team, and 29 RBI for the Loggers. Bosco totaled 37 hits in 123 at bats while also swiping four stolen bases. Bosco helped the Loggers to the Northwoods League title, playing in two games during the playoffs and going 3-for-3 at the plate with a double and two RBI.

Junior infielder Dominic Ficociello spent time this summer playing for the Orleans Firebirds in the Cape Cod League. The Razorback first baseman recorded a .196 batting average with one homer and five RBI. 

Redshirt sophomore infielder Eric Fisher played his summer baseball with the Conejo Oaks of the California Collegiate League. Fisher finished his summer with a .281 batting average with a pair of homers and 29 RBI. Fisher also added nine doubles, which tied for second on the team, and two triples. Fisher was named a top performer in the California Collegiate League by Perfect Game.

Sophomore left-handed pitcher/outfielder Michael Gunn spent his summer playing for the Duluth Huskies in the Northwoods League. Gunn pitched in three games, going 1-0 with a 2.46 ERA in 3.2 innings. At the plate, Gunn was 2-for-5 with a RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.

Like many of his teammates, redshirt freshman right-handed pitcher Brian Heldman spent his summer in the Northwoods League. Heldman suited up for the Battle Creek Bombers, recording a 1-2 record with a save and a 2.12 ERA in 28 appearances. Heldman struck out 18 in 29.2 innings of work.

Senior infielder Jacob Mahan spent his summer playing for the Conejo Oaks in the California Collegiate League. The Razorback infielder had a great summer at the plate, finishing second on the team with a.323 batting average and driving in 12 runs. Mahan also had five stolen bases to his credit.

Junior right-handed pitcher Brandon Moore played his summer baseball with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League. In nine appearances, Moore went 1-3 with a 5.73 ERA while totaling 21 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched. Moore made one relief appearance during the CCBL playoffs and allowed a run with one strikeout in three innings.

Redshirt freshman catcher Jean Ramirez spent his summer playing for Team Vegas in the California Collegiate League. Ramirez hit .236 in 55 at-bats with three doubles, one triple, a home run and 15 RBI while also maintaining a .427 on-base percentage.

Sophomore outfielder Joe Serrano suited up for the Wisconsin Woodchucks of the Northwoods League. Serrano continued his strong play from the College World Series into the summer, batting .302 with a home run and 12 RBI. He totaled 26 hits in 86 bats and also added six stolen bases.

Redshirt freshman infielder/outfielder Tyler Spoon had an outstanding summer at the plate playing for the Anchorage Glacier Pilots in the Alaska Baseball League. In 46 games, Spoon hit .283 with a team-leading 10 home runs and 33 RBI. Spoon also led the team with 54 hits and tied for the team high with 11 doubles. Spoon was named a top performer in the Alaska Baseball League by Perfect Game.

Junior right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek pitched for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team during the summer. Stanek started three games for Team USA and had a 0-2 record with a 3.07 ERA. Stanek struck out 13 in 14.2 innings and helped the team to the bronze medal at the Honkbal Week tournament in the Netherlands. Stanek was ranked as the second best prospect on the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team by Baseball America.

Junior right-handed pitcher Colby Suggs played for the Wareham Gatemen in the Cape Cod league. Suggs pitched extremely well out of the Wareham bullpen, appearing in 13 games and compiling a 1-0 record with two saves and a 1.37 ERA. In 19.2 innings, Suggs struck out 30 batters and allowed just nine hits. Opposing hitters batted just .138 off of the right hander. In the CCBL playoffs, Suggs pitched in five games and had a 2-0 record with two saves and a 3.68 ERA. He struck out 14 batters in 7.1 innings. Suggs, along with his teammate Barrett Astin, helped the Gatemen win the Cape Cod League championship. Suggs also won the team’s Albert Bigelow Award, which is the given to the team’s top pitcher.

Redshirt junior Kameron Walker was a member of the LA Brewers in the California Collegiate League this summer. At the plate, Walker hit .262 with three home runs and 13 RBI. In 33 games, Walker drew a team-high 27 walks and had a .432 on-base percentage, which was second on the squad.

Junior catcher Jake Wise joined teammate Dominic Ficociello in the Cape Cod League this summer playing for the Orleans Firebirds. Wise saw time in five games and hit .188 for the Firebirds.

Senior left-handed pitcher Tyler Wright spent his summer in the Alaska Baseball League playing for the Anchorage Bucs. In nine appearances, Wright posted a 1-3 record with a 2.54 ERA. In 28.1 innings, Wright struck out 37 batters and held opponents to a .222 batting average.