VCU baseball was the class of the A10 this season, winning the regular season championship by 2 ½ games over Rhode Island. The Black and Gold were also the most awarded team in the conference; with five players honored for ten different awards.

All-Everthing

In addition to a spot on the All-A10 First Team, Senior Logan Farrar was named Player of the Year.

Farrar started 22 of VCU’s 24 A10 games. The senior led all qualifying A10 players in batting average (.412), runs scored (27) and hits (40). He also ranked second in total bases (68) one behind his power hitting teammate Darian Carpenter. Farrar finished A10 play tied for second in doubles (10), third in OB% (.468), and fifth in SLG% (.701). No other player ranked in the top five in each of those seven categories.

Freshman Sensation

Paul Witt was honored with the Rookie of the Year award. The shortstop turned second baseman was a tough out for A10 pitchers, with an AVG of .330 and OB% of .389. Out of conference his numbers were even more impressive. Starting in 51 of 53 games, Witt led A10 players in AVG (.379); he was second in OB% (.443) and tied for first in hits (75). The freshman was one of the few Rams who started the season off hot from the plate. His numbers declined in league play but overall he outperformed any realistic expectations during his rookie campaign and proved to be one of the best bats in his lineup. He figures to be a huge piece for this program over the next three years.

The 1’s

Three VCU players earned First Team honors; first baseman Darian Carpenter, center fielder Logan Farrar and closer Sam Donko.

In conference games Carpenter led his peers in RBI’s (30), total bases (69) and walks (16). The first baseman was second in SLG% (.758) and home runs (10). He was also fifth in OB% (.441). Carpenter was the power in VCU’s lineup.

Sam Donko recorded 7 saves in conference games, the most among A10 pitchers. He was also one of only four A10 pitchers who did not walk any players in league games. He had 22 strikeouts in 19 innings of A10 work.  Donko finished conference play with a 3.32 ERA.

Don’t Forget Us

Two Rams were honored on the Second Team; second baseman Paul Witt and starting pitcher Brooks Vial.

Vial worked as the Saturday starter in this rotation. The lefty made 8 starts in conference games, pitching 54 innings and striking out 53 batters (3^rd most in conference) while only walking 14. Vial owns a 1.50 ERA against conference opponents. His ERA ranks 10^th in the league however, no pitcher ranked ahead of him threw more than 26 innings. The senior did not allow a run in 4 of his 8 conference starts. He also made the All-Academic team.

Youngsters

Two VCU freshmen earned spots on the All-Rookie Team; Witt and utility player Steven Carpenter.

Steven Carpenter only appeared in 3 of VCU’s first 11 games but come mid-March the freshman proved he deserved consistent playing time. The freshman appeared in 35 games and made 23 starts, spending most of his time at third base or in the outfield; he also spent time as a DH. Carpenter hit .303 in league play and scored 24 runs, behind only Logan Farrar for the most in A10 games. S-Carp was also had a perfect fielding percentage. With two players on the All-Rookie Team VCU’s lineup sets up well for years to come.

Here is the full list of A10 honorees- http://www.atlantic10.com/pdf9/5412407.pdf

Derek Marion

Derek graduated from VCU in 2015 with a degree in broadcast journalism. As the Sports Director for VCU’s student run radio station, WVCW, he garnered a handful of nominations for the Intercollegiate Broadcasting Systems Awards and received an award with fellow VCUSports.com contributor Darnell Myrick for their Men’s Basketball Play-by-Play. He’s worked as a producer for multiple radio stations in Richmond and served as the In-Game Host for the Washington Nationals. Derek strives to bring a thoughtful and measured approach to his coverage of VCU sports, while still holding on to his zealous enthusiasm for his alma mater.