Harris Hits 1st Professional Home Run

Thursday night, former Knight RJ Harris hit is first professional home run for the Kingsport Mets. His big fly was part of a 1 for 3 day with 2 runs scored.

To date Harris is hitting .256 while playing all three outfield positions.

Walker Commits To Knights

Darby Walker, a late addition to the 2010 roster, will compete at several positions. The junior transfer from Cisco Junior College is a very talented player with the ability to play several different positions.

While at Cisco, Darby split time between shortstop, second base, and center field. In 49 games he managed a .323 batting average with 9 doubles, 2 home runs, 30 runs batted in, and was 15 for 15 in stolen bases.

Walker spent his freshman year at West Texas A&M University where he played shortstop for the Buffs. The LonesStar Conference tabbed Walker as the Conference Freshman of the Year.

Walker has connection to two other Knights as he was high school teammates with Knight pitcher Garret Randle and was teammates with Knight signee Johnny Aldaz at Cisco JC.

Darby is expected to compete for a spot at third, short, and center field. Walker may also see time on the mound.

Randle Improves To 3-0

Knights junior Garret Randle continued his good summer Sunday afternoon as he defeated the Geneva Redwings 5-3 in a NYCBL day game. Randle allowed 2 earned runs on six hits with 3 walks in 8 innings of work while striking out 8.

Randle's performance pushes his overall record to 3-0. On the summer he has a 2.3 Earned Run Average while he works to master his sinker.

The big righty from Nemitz High School in Irving, TX will return in the fall competing to win a role in the Knights rotation after spending the majority of the 09 season as the number 3 starter.

Former Knights Paul Ylda and Dennis Pelfrey Leading Start-Up Select Baseball Organization

The Dallas D'backs organization was created in 2008 with the purpose of aiding young men in their personal and athletic development as they pursue college and professional baseball opportunities. "The Dallas D'backs Baseball club was created to provide a successful environment for baseball players to excel in the sport beyond high school, by competing at the highest level. Our mission is to create an environment where student athletes can succeed on and off of the field by building strong character and self-discipline," said Ylda.

In their inaugural season, the D'backs have one 16u team and two 18u teams. The second 18u team is also lead by a former Knight, Joe Beck. Beck was a standout shortstop for the Knights from 2003-2006.

Both 18u teams will competed in the Connie Mack World Series Qualifier in Tempe, AZ. All games are played at the spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in Tempe. This tournament features teams from some of the best organizations in the country including: Arizona Firebirds, Dallas Tigers, Cheery Creek, DBAT, Houston Raiders, Trombly Braves, Utah Baseball Academy, Arizona Angels, and more.

Already enjoying success, 15 of the D'back players have committed to a school for the upcoming fall including NU signee Adam Humes.

Ylda, a Knights infielder from 2000-2004 helped lead the Knights to their first RRAC title in 2003. Paul graduated from South Grand Prairie High school where he now serves as an assistant baseball coach for the Warriors.

Pelfrey enjoyed stints as a player and coach at NU. Dennis played from 1995-1999, then served as an assistant coach from 2000-2004. After his playing career at NU he signed and played in the independent ranks for six years. In 2007 Pelfrey was honored by the Knights when he had his number 12 retired at a ceremony during the annual Knights Allumni Baseball Game.

Check out the D'backs website: http://www.dallasdbacks.com/

Huggins Injury Update

Knights first baseman Thomas Huggins continues his recovery from a season ending injury. Huggins broke his leg during the RRAC conference tournament at Knights Field in early May.

Huggins was chasing a foul ball, when he slipped on the rain soaked turf, his leg had no chance under his 6'4 265lb frame. He was carted off the field with a spiral break in his lower leg.

Huggins returned home to Texas City where he had surgery shortly after. The surgery put his leg back together with the help of a steel plate and three screws.

Thursday, Thomas had a second surgery to remove the metal in his leg. He goes back for a post op checkup next month. Expected to have a full recovery, Huggins will return as the Knights first baseman in 2010.

Huggins had a great sophomore campaign, made even more impressive considering the circumstances surrounding him. After sitting out an entire calender year, Thomas came to Northwood in search of a fresh start following Tommy John surgery and academic setbacks. He took full advantage hitting .360 with 18 doubles, 4 triples, 8 home runs and 44 runs batted in all while excelling in the classroom. The most impressive stat to his credit was the 5 stolen bases in as many attempts for the light footed 265 pounder. His biggest contribution however, was his superior defensive play at first base. Thomas's work around the bag saved numerous throwing errors throughout the season.

Group Of Current and Future Knights Leading DABA Summer League

Many local college baseball players spend their summer at historic Reverchon Park in downtown Dallas as they hone their skills in the Dallas Amateur Baseball Association(DABA).

One DABA team in particular has a roster full of current and future Knights who are leading their team to a league best 11-3 record.

The local DABA allows guys from the area to stay home for the summer while still improving their skills in preparation for fall workouts.

Blackhawks who you will see in the spring for the Knights:

Shane Bagley Sr. SS

Matt Redding Sr. C

Jeff Sakowski Sr. OF/P

Tyler Rucker Sr. P

Anthony Washington Sr. OF

Justin Keithley Sr. transfer Sam Houston State

Corey Sartor Jr. transfer Howard College

Kane Kimrey Jr. transfer Howard College

Cutter Forman So. transfer Odessa College

You can find the Blackhawks schedule at the official DABA website

http://www.dababaseball.net/

3 Knights Honored For Academic Accomplishment

Senior Tyler Marrujo, along with juniors Chaney Stout and Randy Richter were recently honored as a NAIA Scholar Athlete.

The recipients are required to be a junior or above in academic standing; in attendance at the nominating institution a minimum of one full year of attendance; has a minimum grade point average of 3.50 (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of nomination at the nominating institution; has been certified as eligible on the varsity roster.

Marrujo graduated in May and is currently interning in the radio business. Stout and Richter will return in the fall for their senior year. Stout is planning on pursuing a Chiropractics career and Richter plans on entering the financial planning business.

On the field Marrujo threw 22 2/3 innings in 17 appearances while striking out nearly one batter per inning. Stout has been a started for the Knights since stepping foot on campus his freshman year. In 09 he hit .353 in the lead off spot and is the front runner to hold down the third base job in 2010. Richter played an essential role in his junior campaign. Richter ranked second on the team with a .495 on base percentage while splitting time between third base, first base, and the outfield. The versatile Richter will compete at several positions in 2010.

Miranda Heating Up With The Millionaires

After getting off to a slow start, Humberto Miranda's bat is heating up. On Sunday, Miranda went 2 for 4 with an RBI in the 7-4 win over the Regina Red Sox of the Western Major Baseball League in Canada.

This is the second summer that Miranda has spent in the Canadian summer league. He is holding down shortstop for the Millionaires in 09. Through 22 games in the wood bat league Humberto is hitting at a .263 clip.

A second team All Conference performer for the Knights in 09, second baseman Miranda will return this fall ready for a big senior season.

Miranda is a Puerto Rico native who played his junior college baseball at Laredo Junior College for former Knight infielder Jorge Conales

Former Knights Resurrect Aggie Baseball Program

Former Knights, Rob Childress and Matt Deggs, are leading the Texas A&M baseball program back to national prominence.

Childress was a Knight from 1986-1990. In that time, he was twice named an all-conference pitcher. Northwood won an NAIA conference championship during his career and was runner-up at the regional tournament once. After graduating in 1990, Childress began his coaching career at Texarkana College, under current Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn. Following two seasons as an assistant at Texarkana, Childress returned to Northwood where he spent two years as an assistant under current NU athletic director Pat Malcheski.

After leaving Northwood for a second time, Childress made stops at Texarkana College(head coach), Northwestern State College(pitching coach), University of Nebraska(pitching coach), and finally Texas A&M(head coach).

Childress graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Northwood in 1990 and earned a master's degree of science from East Texas State (now TAMU-Commerce) in 1994. He and his wife Amanda (A&M Class of 1992) have a daughter, Hannah, 12, and a son Maxwell, 6.

Deggs and Childress have similar backgrounds. Both natives of Texas, the connection began in 1993 when Deggs, a native of Texas City (same hometown as current NU assistant, Bobby Garza), played for Childress, while he was on the Knights coaching staff. Additionally, they spent two years together on Dave Van Horn's staff at Northwestern (La.) State in 1996 and 1997, and both served a stint as the head coach at Texarkana Junior College. One of only a handful of coaches to win both a Big 12 and an SEC title, Deggs spent three seasons at Arkansas as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator for Van Horn from 2003 to 2005.

Deggs began his college playing career at Alvin Junior College(1991-92) before transferring to Northwood(1993-94). He played professionally for three years for the Mobile (Ala.) Baysharks and the Tennessee Tomahawks, two of which were spent as a player/coach under former Boston Red Sox manager Butch Hobson and former Red Sox catcher Mike O' Berry. Deggs is married to the former Kathy Saldua (A&M Class of `94). The couple have a son, Kyler (9), a daughter, Klaire (5) and a daughter, Khloe (3).

Childress and Deggs just completed their fourth year at A&M. Named the Big 12's Coach of the Year by his peers in 2008, Childress guided the Aggies to 46 wins, their first regular-season championship in nine years and the first back-to-back NCAA regional championships in school history. Along the way A&M set a new school and Big 12 record by winning 16 straight conference games. After just one season at the helm, Childress orchestrated the biggest turnaround in NCAA Division I baseball. His 2007 team finished 48-19, winning 23 more games than in 2006, in addition to claiming the NCAA College Station Regional championship, a berth in the Super Regionals and the school's first Big 12 title since 1999.

The future is bright for the Aggie program as long as these two Knights continue to lead the way.

Isabel Inks With The Knights

The Knights make a big addition to the 09-10 pitching staff in the form of 6'7, 240 pound righty, George Isabel. Isabel, a Manhattan, NY native spent the 2009 season at Garden City CC in Kansas. In 9 appearances, Isabel notched 5 victories without losing a single game. He also rang up 29 K's in 33 innings pitched.

George will bring a physical presence to the staff. He possesses a big fastball and a sharp 12/6 curveball. Isabel is expected to fit into the starting rotation as he continues his development with the Knights.

Future Knight Leading The Way On The Mound For The San Diego Waves

New Knight, Trent Montgomery has pitched his way to the top of the San Diego Waves rotation. Through nine appearances, Trent has 33 innings pitched while allowing just 7 earned runs on 22 hits while striking out 37. Montgomery's impressive summer has produced a minuscule 1.87 ERA.

Montgomery is one of the prized arms in the 2009 recruiting class. He spent the last two years at NE Oklahoma A&M. Trent was the staff ace in 09 after being the number two pitcher as a freshman.

The 6'4 righty from Athens, TX is expected to have a similar impact on the Knight's staff after the graduation of staff ace and two time RRAC 1st Teamer, Alberto Gutierrez.

Knights field is currently receiving a face lift. The outfield is in the process of being laser levelled and resoded.

The work will drastically improve the play of the outfield. On top of benefiting from the improved play, the drainage will also see drastic improvement.

The new look will also have the visitors bullpen moved from inside the fence to just outside the right field fence line. This will add to the amount of foul territory in right field and eliminate some danger from having the bullpen mound in play.

Work on the field is scheduled to be completed later this month and will be ready for the team's fall practice, beginning in September.

Knights Hurler Josh Matthews Throws A Gem

Sunday, Knights right-hander, Josh Matthews threw a complete game vs the Geneva Red Wings of the New York Collegiate League. Matthews did not allow an earned run while striking out five Red Wings.

Through 25 innings of work, Matthews is 2-2 with a 1.8 earned run average. Matthews was 5-0 with 40 innings pitched in his sophomore campaign with the Knights.

Playing alongside Matthews this summer is Knight teamate and fellow pitcher, Garret Randle. Randle is having a good summer with a 1.17 ERA through 15 innings of work. Opposing hitters have managed a .137 batting average against Garret.

Former Knight Standouts Mentoring Newest NU Signee, Adam Humes

The newest Knight, Adam Humes is currently being coached by two former Knight infielders, Dennis Pelfrey (1995-1999) and Paul Ylda (2000-2004). Pelfrey also served as an assistant coach for former skipper Pat Malcheski from 2000-2004. Pelfrey was honored by the NU athletic department in 2007, for his outstanding contributions to the program, as he had his number 12 retired.

Humes, a corner infielder from Plano East High School signed a letter of intend on Tuesday. Adam is a physical player who will compete at several positions in the fall.

Through 85 at bats, Humes is hitting .365 with 5 doubles, 2 home runs, and 25 runs batted in.

You can follow Adam as he finishes up his summer with Pelfrey's D'backs organization
http://dallasdbacks.com/

2009 Knights Offense, One Of Best In The Nation

The Knights 09 offense propelled the team to 36 wins, the most since 2004. The offensive surge lead to the offensive being ranked in the top 25 in several offensive categories, both as a team and as individuals.

Team National Rankings:

• 3rd in Doubles per Game
• 3rd in Slugging Percentage
• 8th in Home Runs per Game
• 10th in Runs Scored per Game
• 14th in Runs Batted In per Game
• 18th in Batting Average
• 25th in Stolen Bases per Game
  

Individual National Rankings:

• 5th in Runs Batted In per Game...Carey Crain
• 9th in Runs Scored per Game...RJ Harris
• 11th in Total Bases...RJ Harris
• 12th in Doubles per Game...RJ Harris
• 17th in Home Runs per Game...RJ Harris
• 17th in Slugging Percentage...RJ Harris
• 23rd in Home Runs per Game...Carey Crain

Two Knight Signees Won A JUCO National Title in 09

Knight signees, Kane Kimrey and Corey Sartor can now call themselves National Champions. Both were part of a historic Howard College baseball team. The Hawks set a national record by wining 57 consecutive games before finally dropping one against Temple College.After the loss, the Hawks went on another run that took them to the NJCAA National Championship Game, where they pulled out the victory 7-4 over Sante Fe College of Florida.

Abbl Coming To School

Knights singee and Diamondbacks draft pick has decided to come to school. Frank Abbl, a hard throwing right hander, from Mesa CC in Arizona was drafted in the 50th round of the 2009 MLB First Year Player Draft. Abbl will join current Knight, Justin Coats, as the only players on the 2010 squad to be selected by a major league team. Coats has been selected twice by the LA Dodgers.

Abbl is one of several pitching signees that is expected to bolster the Knights staff. Other signees expected to join Abbl in having an immediate impact on the staff; Kane Kimrey (Howard College), Corey Sartor (Howard College), Trent Montgomery (NE Oklahoma), George Isabel (Garden City CC), and Chase Campbell (Alvin CC).

Keep Up with former Knight RJ Harris as he begins his climb through the NY Mets organization

Former Knight outfielder, RJ Harris recently began his professional career after being selected in the 14th round by the New York Mets. RJ is currently hitting in the middle of the order for the Mets Rookie league affiliate while rotating between all three outfield positons and DH.

You can follow RJ's progress through the Kingsport Mets website; http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t506

Crain's Record Breaking Year

Although Knights outfielder, Carey Crain only spent one season with the program his impact was one for the record books. Crain's offensive numbers were enough to earn him first team all-conference as well as Honorable Mention NAIA All-American. Crain is just the third Knight to ever garner such an award.

Crain hit .374 with 14 doubles, 17 home runs, and a record breaking 81 RBI. Crain's 81 RBI topped Herman Johnson's total of 80.

The most impressive aspect of the record breaking total is that it was accomplished in just 53 games, giving Carey 1.5 RBI per game. That RBI per game total ranked him 5th in the country.

Looking Back On 2009

The 2009 version of the Knights was one of the best in the program's recent history. With an overall record of 36-19, the Knights captured both the RRAC regular season and conference tournament. The conference tournament championship was the second in as many years. The season came to an end in the first round of the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Lubbock, TX.

The Knights successful year earned them many post season accolades.

RRAC First Team All-Conference:
Alberto Gutierrez-Pitcher
RJ Harris-Outfield
Carey Crain-Outfield
Thomas Huggins-First Base
RRAC Second Team All-Conference:
Humberto Miranda-Second Base
Jeff Sakowski-Outfield
Ron Santos-Catcher

NAIA All-American Honorable Mention:

Carey Crain

RRAC Player Of The Year:

RJ Harris
RRAC Coach of the Year:

Jeremy Kennedy

The Blog

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