Former Knight going strong for the Bears
Former Evans standout Mike Armstrong is taking up where he left off in 2006. The 6-4, 225-pound junior is hitting .326 through Mercer's first 25 games.
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The Bears are 17-8 overall and 3-0 in the Atlantic Sun Conference after a Tuesday loss to the University of Georgia. Armstrong also leads the Bears in runs scored (28), doubles (10), and has two home runs and 16 RBI so far in 2007.
Mercer's clean-up hitter made the switch from catcher to first base this season and seems to be handling the move smoothly as he boasts a .996 fielding percentage.
Last season, Armstrong was sensational for Mercer. After playing sparingly in 2005, he burst onto the scene with a team-best .368 batting average, a .591 slugging percentage, nine home runs and 30 RBI.
For his efforts he was named First Team All-Conference, received First Team All-Academic honors in the Atlantic Sun Conference and was named a Third Team Academic All-American.
Armstrong will have a decision to make after this season. His choice: whether to come back to school or sign a pro contract.
He likely will be drafted in the Major League Baseball draft in June.
Poythress returns
Former Greenbrier star Rich Poythress was 1-for-1 with a walk and a run scored in Georgia's 9-3 win on Tuesday. He played first base opposite Armstrong after entering the game as a pinch-hitter for the Bulldogs. The 6-3, 230-pound freshman is 3-for-14 in part-time duty since returning from a knee injury. Expect Poythress to get more playing time.
Knights enter the polls
In the latest state baseball coaches poll, the Evans Knights made an appearance in the Class AAAA top 10. The Knights come in at No. 9 this week thanks to the play of several underclassmen, most notably Jeff Rice. The sophomore shortstop has been one of the area's more consistent hitters this season.
Greenbrier, the state's preseason No. 1 team, is ranked No. 6 in Class AAAA this week. The Wolfpack have played one of the toughest schedules in the southeast, so 'Pack fans should expect the wins to pile up.