Mercer Baseball Summer League Update

MACON, Ga. – Multiple Mercer baseball players are enjoying continued success in their summer league ventures, parlaying their play into All-Star selections.

Rising junior Billy Burns was named an All-Star in the Coastal Plain League, while seniors J.T. Odom and Brandon Love were named All-Stars in the Great Lakes League and Southern California Collegiate Baseball Association, respectively. Up-and-coming sophomores Evan Boyd and Austin Barrett also earned All-Stars selections in the Sunbelt League.

“It is important for our guys to follow up and build upon the success we had this past season into summer ball and that is exactly what they are doing,” head coach Craig Gibson said. “I know all of our guys are working very hard this summer and I can’t wait for them to get back on campus to start preparing for next season.”

Burns, the Bears speedy center fielder, is having a tremendous summer for his Edenton Steamers club, ranking third on the team with a .318 batting average. Burns ranks second on the squad with 26 runs scored to go along with 19 RBI and 14 stolen bases.  

Odom has continued his late season dominance with the Bears into play this summer with the Lima Locos. Odom leads the team with 12 appearances, a 0.86 ERA, three saves and 35 strikeouts.

Love has looked unhittable at times during his stay in Southern California, becoming one of the top starters for the Palm Springs Power. The Power finished its season last week and Love completed his summer campaign with a 2-1 record, a 1.52 ERA, 29.2 innings pitched and 31 strikeouts.

Boyd has carried over the success that made him an Atlantic Sun All-Freshman team selection into play this summer. Boyd is currently batting .305 with one home run, five doubles, 10 runs scored and a .460 on-base percentage.

Barrett, who redshirted during his freshman year at Mercer, saw regular playing time this summer for his South Atlanta Phillies ball club. Barrett finished the season with a .217 batting average and three runs scored while playing stellar defense behind the plate.

For more information about Mercer baseball or one of Mercer’s other 16 sports, log onto www.mercerbears.com.