Panthers’ 2007 Baseball Season Highlighted by the Selection of Darrell Anderson to the All-MIAA and All-Baltimore City Baseball Teams

June 19, 2007

Coach Brian Boles, optimistically, summed up the 2007 season as one of many ups and downs.  The theme for the season could be “growing pains.”  Early in the season the Panthers beat Arlington Baptist to win the first Elrod Hendricks Invitational Baseball Tournament.   They traveled to Durham, North Carolina, and played three games [going 1-2].  The Panthers finished the season with an overall record of 7-16, the most wins in a season in its 10 year history.

The Panthers’ team consisted of 3 seniors, 1 junior, 2 sophomores, and 9 freshmen.  This year’s seniors provided experience and leadership for the young team members, and will be sorely missed.  Senior Jamal Brunson was an All-MIAA performer as a junior and is projecting to go to Shaw University in the fall. Jamal finished his career at SFA with a .310 batting average; he pitched 50 innings, with 53 strikeouts (tied for 4th on the all-time career list), in 2 seasons. Senior Eric Hamilton finished his career at SFA with a solid .484 batting average, which puts him first on the school’s all-time career leader list. "Eric has been a part of the program, since I started coaching at SFA three years ago, and is a very special young man," Boles said.  Nathaniel "Stuff" Kosh, senior, finished his career 2nd on the school’s all-time home run record list.   Kosh brought a lot of attitude, leadership, and passion to the field.

The season was punctuated by Darrell Anderson’s selection to the All-MIAA (B Conference) and All-Baltimore City (Second Team) Baseball Teams. Darrell batted .500 (30 for 60), with 13 RBI, 5 doubles, 17 stolen bases and 1 homerun.  Additionally, he pitched 42 innings, striking out 53. "Darrell is a great kid with a lot of upside in terms of what he can accomplish overall in this game. I‘m very proud of him, he works hard and deserves the accolades” said Coach Boles.

As the Panthers say farewell and best wishes to the seniors, they look forward to next year, as new student-athletes transition into the program.  The team is constantly looking for individuals who can get the job done in the classroom and on the field. We anticipate next year’s return of senior Reggie Wallace (C/P), and junior outfielders Torron Coleman and Jabre Jennings. We anticipate enhanced effort from our freshmen [to be sophomore] Darrell Anderson (P/INF/OF), Avon Coleman (2B) Kris Dixon (1B/OF), Ralph McCaskill (2B/OF, Devan Hill (P/C/INF), David Ridgeley (OF), Clinton Newman (OF), Quinton Powell (OF) and Eric Tyler (3B).

The Panthers look to build on this year’s performance and be more competitive in the conference next year.