The 2013 Virginia Sports Information Directors College Division All-State baseball team was announced on Monday and the Apprentice School had a pair of second team selections in junior Chris Aldridge and freshman Taylor Gomer.
Those two selections marked the ninth time in the last 10 years that the Builders had players recognized by the state association.
Aldridge was a 2013 U.S. Collegiate Athletic Association All-American who went on a batting tear in the final month of the season, raising his average 45 points, to end with a team-best .385 average. He had 19 multi-hit games and reached base in 21 straight games. His 57 hits was a team-best and he tied the school record with seven triples. He was in the top 10 in the USCAA in hits (7th), runs scored (8th), triples (first) and stolen bases (4th). Aldridge is a pipefitter apprentice from Toano, Va.
Gomer had a strong freshman season where he finished 5-3 with a 1.97 earned run average. The Smithfield, Va. native struck out a season-high six against Thomas Nelson while striking out five in his collegiate debut against NCAA Division II powerhouse Kutztown University. He threw a two-hit shutout against USCAA Tournament qualifier Southern Virginia in a 3-0 Apprentice School win on March 30. Twelve days later he threw seven innings of four-hit ball with five strikeouts against eventual NCAA Division III South Regional qualifier Bridgewater College in a 14-2 win. Gomer is an insulator apprentice.
VaSID is comprised of sports information or athletics communications professionals from intercollegiate institutions throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Membership is open to any individual affiliated with one of the state's institutions at the NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, USCAA and community college levels, provided that individual's area of responsibility lies within the realm of sports information.
2013 VaSID College Division All-State Baseball Teams
First Team
C – Wes Walker, Sr., Ferrum
1B – Alex Maragos, Sr., Washington & Lee
2B – Jimbo Newcomb, Sr., Averett
3B – Andrew Hacker, Sr., Bridgewater
SS – Mitch Stevenson, Jr., Southern Virginia
OF – Nick Fulk, Jr., Bridgewater
OF – Justin Weaver, Jr., CNU
OF – Jonathan Mason, Sr., Bridgewater
DH – Mitchell Keeler, Fr., Randolph-Macon
SP – Austin Chrismon, Jr., CNU
SP – Martin Henderlite, So., Lynchburg
SP – Bryan Bierlein, Jr., CNU
RP – Ryan Fleischmann, Sr., CNU
RP – Luke Rabiej, Sr., Hampden-Sydney
Second Team
C – Jono Haught, So., Mary Washington
1B – Seth Jordan, Sr., Mary Washington
2B – JJ McDaniel, So., Shenandoah
3B – Mikey Paul, So., Shenandoah
SS – Jonathan Stutts, Sr., Washington & Lee
OF – Chris Aldridge, Jr., Apprentice
OF – Andrew Kirks, Jr., Averett
OF – Jeb Weymouth, Sr., Randolph-Macon
DH – Andrew Creamer, Jr., Shenandoah
SP – Torey Mancari, Sr., Mary Washington
SP – Brandon Taylor, Fr., CNU
SP – Taylor Gomer, Fr., Apprentice
RP – Nick Corbin, Jr., Bridgewater
RP – Will Jennings, Fr., Randolph-Macon
Player of the Year: Justin Weaver, Christopher Newport University
Pitcher of the Year: Austin Chrismon, Christopher Newport University
Rookie of the Year: Mitchell Keeler, Randolph-Macon College
Coach of the Year: Ray Hedrick, Randolph-Macon College