PHCC To Host Softball Tournament

Patrick Henry Community College will be hosting the 2011 NJCAA Region X Division 2 Softball Tournament at Martin Field. This will be the first ever Division II Softball Tournament in Region X and we are very proud to be the host site. The tournament dates are set for May 6th-8th , with the banquet for all teams is set for the 5th. This past year’s baseball tournament was a huge success and brought a lot of great business and exposure to the Martinsville/Henry County Area as well as to PHCC. We hope this tournament will do the same for the local economy and the surrounding areas.

Fitzgerald and Hatcher Selected in the MLB Draft

Jeremy Fitzgerald and Rashad Hatcher were both selected in the 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft on Wednesday. Fitzgerald, who recently completed his freshman season was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 38th round. Hatcher, who completed his sophomore season was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 49th round.

Fitzgerald was named to the All Region X team as a pitcher after going 7-3 with a 3.95 ERA in 13 starts for the Patriots. The Stuarts Draft, VA native struck out 81 in just over 70 innings while walking just 23. Opponents hit just .254 off Fitzgerald during the 2010 spring campaign.

Hatcher finished second on the team in hitting this spring with a .386 average (66-for-171) with 11 doubles, two triples, six homeruns, and 41 RBIs to go along with 14 stolen bases. Hatcher, a native of South Hill, VA transferred to PHCC after his freshman season at Ptt C.C.

Casey Hodges is the only former PHCC player to be selected as he was picked after his senior season at Mount Olive College.

PHCC Baseball Players make College Commitments

The 2010 class of baseball players at Patrick Henry Community College has stood out above the rest. This year’s class will see at least seven Division 1 players move on. Hunter Kenny signed this fall with Norfolk State University on a total scholarship worth nearly 75%. In addition, NSU has taken Ralphy Colon, a middle infielder for the Patriots as well as Kyle Via, a red shirt left handed pitcher from Fluvanna County. Bret Williams has accepted an 80% offer from the University of Richmond to continue his athletic and academic career. Williams was a 2nd team all Region selection this year and will be looked to continue his career as a two way player. Williams received the highest scholarship offer given from Head Coach Mark McQueen since his time at Richmond.

Lucas Signor, an Outfielder from Lynchburg, VA has committed to play at Division 1 Niagara next season, while Austin Delmotte also made a full ride commitment to Niagara but has not signed due to some uncertainties off the field. In addition, Mike Stancik a transfer from Longwood University will be transferring back to Virginia Commonwealth University for his final two years of intercollegiate competition. Stancik lead the 2010 team in batting average and will be looked to play several different infield positions at VCU.

Andrew Bradley has signed with Division 2 UNC Pembroke for the 2011 season, which competes in the Peach Belt Conference. Andrew was the Patriots’ starting shortstop for the past two seasons. Bubba Chocklette, the Patriots’ closer has made a commitment to play at D2 Pfeiffer University in Salisbury, NC. T.J. Brenneman, a right handed pitcher has committed to D3 Salisbury College, who has won 2 national championships in the past three seasons and remains ranked number 1 in the country. Shane Flynn and Tyler Marshall, both pitchers are still uncommitted but have several offers from D2, D3, and NAIA schools throughout the area. In addition, second baseman Benjamin Amos has committed to Roanoke College for the 2011 season.

Patriots’ sophomore outfielder Rashad Hatcher just returned from an invited workout with the Washington Nationals and hopes to be taken in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. Also making the trip to Atlanta last weekend was Patriots’ pitcher Jeremy Fitzgerald, who is expected to go in the first day of the MLB draft.

“Overall, this is a great class of student-athletes and they are amazing baseball players said former Head Coach Chris Parker.” “It has been a privilege coaching these guys. Our staff worked very hard to see their careers move forward.” “We graduated 75% of our sophomore class this year, which is a great accomplishment in itself.”

Patriots Bats Go Silent in Tournament

After a 40-15 overall record and a 18-8 Region X third place finish there were certainly high expectations for the Patrick Henry Baseball team in the Region X/District 22 tournament held this past week at Hooker Field, but as with any team and any season there are hot streaks and cold streaks. Unfortunately for the Patriots the cold streak from the last two weeks of the regular season carried over to the tournament where they dropped a 4-2 decision to Wilkes C.C. in the first round and a 7-1 decision to Southeastern in the loser's bracket and were eliminated after just two games.

The Patriots managed just four hits in the 4-2 loss to Wilkes on Friday afternoon. The number five seed Wilkes banged out 10 hits and got 7 1/3 innings of strong work from Ethan Icard on the mound to beat the Patriots for the third time in four meetings this season. Mike Stancik had two hits and an RBI for PHCC in the loss. Jeremy Fitzgerald took the loss on the mound allowing three runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings on the mound.

Southeastern took advantage of four PHCC errors and took a commanding 6-0 lead after a five run fourth inning to claim the 7-1 win in Saturday's loser's bracket match up. Despite sweeping a three game series from the Rams in the regular season the Patriots bats again were silenced, this time by Peyton Martin who pitched a complete game allowing just one run on seven hits. Matt Morris took the loss for Patrick Henry despite not allowing an earned run in 3 2/3 innings. The freshman righty allowed just three hits and walked two while striking out five. Chris Horne and Brandon Chocklette worked a combined 5 1/3 innings of relief and kept the Rams bats silent allowing just one run but the Patriots couldn't produce at the plate and saw their season end much more quickly than expected, finishing the season at 40-17 overall.

President Obama visits PHCC Motorsports on Campaign Trail!