VIDEO: Jordan Griffin Interview
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – With the start of Carson-Newman's baseball season one week away, this is the first of a three-part series that will assess the position groupings for coach Tom Griffin's unit starting of the outfield with preseason first-team All-SAC selection Jordan Griffin.
From this group, the Eagles need to replace a pair of graduated seniors that combined to start 47 games last season. Brendan Campbell started 29 games in left field last season and played in 162 career contests finishing his career with a .270 batting average scoring 95 runs.
Griffin started 43 games in right field as a sophomore hitting 309 with a .429 OBP knocking eight home runs with 35 RBIs and seven stolen bases adding 15 multi-hit games and nine multi-RBI efforts. The Ellerslie, Ga. native was named SAC Player of the Week on March 4, 2019 after going 6-for-11 with two bombs and six RBIs against Belmont Abbey and Mars Hill.
"Coming in as a freshman and being able to play gives me a lot of confidence that other people see the ability I have," Griffin said. "It's not just me. The team behind me allows me to come through whenever it's needed. Being able to be down here 24/7 and work with [coach Tom Griffin] whenever. When I played football, it took a little time away but I am glad to be down here full time."
Tyler Thompson (Gallatin, Tenn.) was the league's batting champion in 2019 finishing the year with a .438 batting average, fourth-best in the country. He became the sixth Eagle in the Division II era to hit above .400 as that number never dipped below .422. Thompson was the fourth SAC player since 2012 to hit above .430 in a season and first since Wingate's Shane Billings hit .444 in 2016. The unanimous all-region selection became the first C-N player in the 12-year history of the South Atlantic Conference's Player of the Week honors to win the nod twice in the same year. The sophomore led the team with 25 multi-hit games and 12 multi-RBI affairs.
"It's been amazing to be here with him," Griffin said. "Being able to see him grow from his freshman year to now, it gives everyone a lot of confidence having him in the lineup it gives us more ability to produce runs during games."
WALK. IT. OFF. @TylerThompson47 delivers!
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One of the best defensive outfielders in the region, Charlie Brown (Sevierville, Tenn.) can play all three outfield positions posted four outfield assists last season. He scored 12 runs and drew a walk once out of every seven plate appearances.
Several newcomers will vie for playing time led by Gunnar Ricketts (Hixson, Tenn.). The one-time Tennessee Volunteer spent 2019 at Motlow Community College where he posted a .316/.390/.516 line over 47 games hitting six homers with 41 RBIs, seven steals and 30 runs scored.
Adding to the depth of the group, Carson Kemp (Adairsville, Ga.), Dennis Matias (Charlotte, N.C.), Henry Jackson (Waxhaw, N.C.) and Eric Rigsby (Jonesboro, Tenn.) will all get chances to produce in the upcoming season.
"They bring a lot of energy," Griffin said. "They make you work for the position and there is no position that is set in stone. Having guys coming in that fit in really well, play fast and want to come compete everyday means a lot."
The second part of the position previews will take a deep dive into the infield with senior first baseman Malik Kyle. It will be released on Sunday.
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