Sherman lands pitcher of the year while Methvin, McCain, Hodges also pick up awards
The Pump Jacks are finding ways to dominate East Texas baseball, even when the team isn’t in season. The American Southwest Conference recently handed out season-ending awards to former Pump Jacks Chad Sherman, Garrett Methvin, Aaron McCain and Paige Hodges.
Sherman rounded out his dominating season on the mound for UT-Tyler by being named the 2011 American Southwest Conference East Division Pitcher of the Year. He was joined on the all-conference squad by fellow Pump Jack alumni Methvin and McCain.
Sherman landed the top honors after winning the coveted ASC “Pitching Triple Crown.” He led the conference with an 8-1 record, 1.49 ERA and 88 strikeouts, and added three complete-game shutouts. Sherman was named Pitcher of the Week three times during the season, fueling the Patriots’ fifth-consecutive division title.
Following a breakout season at LeTourneau, Methvin picked up East Division Newcomer of the Year honors. As both a first basemen and a starting pitcher, the Longview native led or tied for the team lead in 13 statistical categories. Methvin knocked in 33 runs while posting a .372 batting average, good enough for 11th in the conference. On the mound, Methvin struck out 75 while posting a 2.40 ERA, ranking fifth in the conference.
Both Methvin and Sherman earned spots on the ASC first team lineup as starting pitchers. Methvin also earned honorable mention as a first baseman.
Joining Sherman on the first team is current Patriots teammate and shortstop McCain. The Royse City native batted .310 on the season while scoring 44 runs. He posted eight doubles with an on-base percentage of .429.
Also receiving all-ASC honors were the coaches at UT-Tyler, including Hodges. The Patriots staff led UT-Tyler to a league-best 14-4 record in the conference and a sparkling 19-2 non-conference mark. UT-Tyler shared the East Division Coaching Staff of the Year award with the staffs at LeTourneau and Louisiana College.
Although the top-seeded Patriots made an early exit from the ASC Tournament, they are waiting for word on a possible at-large selection to the NCAA D-III Baseball Championship.
The Pump Jacks season opener is less than four weeks away! The Jacks will travel to Victoria to take on the Generals to open the season on June 1.
The two teams return to East Texas for a championship rematch on Monday, June 6, at historic Driller Park. To see the Pump Jacks complete home schedule, please click here.
To follow all the news about new players, and to follow all of your favorite Pump Jacks around the nation, visit the team’s official website at pumpjacksbaseball.com, or log onto the Pump Jacks’ page on Facebook.