Two GC baseball players were recognized by the Peach Belt Conference for honors the week of March 11. Mason Poole ended the week as a big help in the Bobcats’ sweep of the University of South Carolina Beaufort, and John Raines pitched the second game against USC Beaufort, helping the Bobcats come back from many early runs that were given up.
Poole finished the weekend hitting a .643 by going 9-14 and recorded a .714 slugging percentage. He also did not strike out or make any errors during that weekend.
Raines came into the game in the bottom of the third with the Sand Sharks having already scored 10 runs and was able to finish out the game, going 6.1 innings. He only gave up three hits, no runs, three walks but struck out a career high of 12. He currently has 40 strikeouts for the year, which is fourth in the PBC. Both Raines and Poole helped the Bobcats come back and win the game 16-10.
Raines and Poole have significantly helped their team win their most recent games and are continuing to do so. Their team has put in a lot of work into the season this year.
“Getting these recognitions is really awesome,” Raines said. “I think it helps me remember the hard work that my teammates and I have put in, both on and off the field.”
This is Raines’s second recognition from the PBC, as he was awarded the PBC Freshman of the Week honor last season.
“You need to stay consistent with practice and learn to not be complacent,” Raines said. “I try to continue to improve my game every day and know that I can always get better.”
Poole has a similar work ethic toward his team and his game strategy.
“I try not to think too much about my personal results,” Poole said. “I stick to my preparation and focus on our team winning.”
Both these players made it very clear that working together as a team and putting in your all will get you very far and make you very successful.
Raines and Poole showed remarkable success in their game against USC Beaufort. Being recognized by the PBC for honors of the week made these players feel extremely successful in their passion for baseball.
“I think that it means a lot for us to win two out of the three PBC recognitions,” Raines said. “I think that it means that as a team, we played very well. It also shows that our team is strong overall, with us playing well on both sides of the ball.”
Teamwork is a huge part of having a good team and having even better outcomes. Head coach Nolan Belcher explained that he is extremely proud of these two athletes.
“Raines adds versatility out of the bullpen,” Belcher said. “He can close games or extend multiple innings if needed. He can produce swing-and-miss stuff at times, which is a big positive.”
This is the second season that Raines has pitched for Belcher, and while he keeps continuing to improve this season, Belcher is just now seeing the full abilities of his new players, like Poole.
“Mason provides some physicality in the middle of the infield,” Belcher said. “He has potential to really drive the ball and hit for power near the bottom of the lineup. Mason also brings a great arm and the ability to turn double plays extremely well.”
In Belcher’s point of view, being recognized by the PBC makes him feel great as a coach.
“I am always happy for our players and our university when our team gets recognized for excellence, on and off the field,” Belcher said. “Hopefully, we can have guys continue to play well this year and receive a few more PBC Player/Pitcher of the Week.”
Raines and Poole have shown great excellence in leading their team and driving for excellence. Working together as a team has got them to where they are now and will only lead them to greater success.
