Graves named Co-SEC Pitcher of the Week

Graves vs. South Carolina in March 16, 2013 (Photo by Ben Walton)

Last summer, a 6'1 righty from St. Charles, Missouri and a student at Missouri displayed stuff that scouts said that they normally see in the Cape Cod League. The scouts went on to say he displayed talent that the NECBL normally doesn't get access too and he blossomed as a member of the Newport Gulls as the ace of the best pitching staff in the league.

This pitcher, Brett Graves, posted a minuscule 1.00 ERA in 35 and two thirds innings pitched while allowing just 20 hits and striking out 30. Many coaches agreed in saying he was the most consistent pitcher in the league, and Perfect Game USA projected him as a top three round pick in June as a draft-eligible junior.

Graves carried his success to Missouri and has been absolutely dominant. Graves boasts a streak of 15 scoreless innings and was named the Co-SEC pitcher of the week. He went eight innings against the University of Illinois-Chicago and allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out six, one off his career high.

"I'm just trusting my stuff," Graves said. "I'm trying my best not to let anything affect what I'm doing while I'm on the mound."

Graves, one of the top pitching prospects in the SEC this season, has been outstanding this season. He leads all Tiger starters with a 0.92 ERA and is 1-1 overall with 15 strikeouts against only three walks in a team-high 19.2 innings. He is limiting batters to a .132 average this season and has allowed just one extra-base hit all season. 

Over his last two starts, Graves has been even better than his season numbers. He has gone 15.0 innings, allowing just five hits, one walk and no runs while striking out 12. He has not allowed an extra-base hit in that span and is limiting batters to .098 hitting in those two starts. He has allowed just two runners to reach second base in that span. He has a 0.40 WHIP over his last two starts.

"Right now, I'm just focused on next week and starting a new week," Graves said. "Once we accomplish the goals we've set as a team then I'll be able to look back and have some good moments to remember."

NECBL Stars Update: Missouri duo shine and Kirby excels

Graves (Missouri Baseball)

Graves dazzles in pitcher's duel
Brett Graves (Newport) pitched seven shutout innings on Saturday but was handed a no-descion as Missouri couldn't get onto the board and fell to Wake Forest, 1-0 on a walkoff single. Graves went seven strong, allowing just three hits and striking out six. It was the junior's longest outing since March 2012. Missouri dropped to 3-3.

Miles has excellent run support in win
John Miles (Vermont) threw five solid innings and was backed by 15 runs as Missouri beat Radford 15-3 on Friday. Miles earned his first win of the season and went five innings, allowing seven hits, two runs with three strikeouts and no walks.

Kirby leads top-ranked Virginia to victory
Nathan Kirby (Keene) threw six and a third innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits as the Cavaliers downed Eastern Carolina, 3-2 on Friday. Kirby struck out three and improved to 2-0 with an impressive 1.46 ERA on the season.

Shaw continues tear for BC

Michael Gerber (Photo by Creighton)

Chris Shaw (New Bedford) has been a machine for Boston College as he's hitting .370 over seven games with a team-highs with seven RBIs, five doubles and 10 hits. The 4-3 Eagles recently beat Stetson 8-0 with Shaw knocking in three runs while going 2-4.

Gerber grand slam leads Creighton to win
Michael Gerber (Ocean State) hit a grand slam in the ninth inning to ice a 8-0 win over Minnesota. Gerber leads Creighton with 8 season RBIs and is hitting .231 with a .462 slugging percentage and 12 total bases.

NECBL Stars Update: Kirby has solid start, Shaw hits well over weekend

Nathan Kirby (Keene) went six strong in a win against VMI.
Photo by Mark Gormus/Times-Dispatch

Miles earns no decision in Missouri win

John Miles (Mountaineers) went four and two-thirds innings in a 4-2 Missouri win over Southern Miss. Miles earned a no decision and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out four and walking just one in his first start since May 26th in 2012 against Kansas. He allowed his two runs in the first frame but then worked his way out of several jams.  

Kirby leads Virginia to win

Nathan Kirby (Swamp Bats) had a flawless start in a 12-0 win over Virginia Military Institute (VMI). Kirby went six strong innings and fanned seven while walking just one and allowing four hits. The Cavaliers pitched flawlessly as he let just two balls out of the infield and Virginia bounced back from a season-opening loss to Kentucky.

Brett Graves (Newport)

Graves takes loss after allowing unearned run in fifth

Brett Graves (Gulls) was dealt a loss in his season debut after allowing an unearned run in the fifth inning. He went 4.2 innings on Saturday afternoon in a 3-2 defeat to McNeese State. Graves allowed four hits and two walks and allowed three runs, two earned. He struck out three.

Shaw excels over weekend, leads BC to 3-1 record

Chris Shaw (Bay Sox) had five RBIs, including a 2-4 outing against Santa Clara that included a home run, double and three RBIs. He added individual RBIs in the Eagles other two wins, over Nevada and Santa Clara again.

Roberts and Tam Sing battle top ranked Fullerton

Washington State and Newport Gulls teammates Ben Roberts and Trace Tam Sing took on top-ranked Cal State Fullerton in a three-game weekend series. Tam Sing had one of three hits in the 12-0 season opening loss to the Titans and added a sacrifice fly and a run in the 9-7 win. Roberts went 2-4 in the Cougars win over Fullerton and scored.

Gerber has three RBIs but Creighton is swept

Arkansas Little-Rock swept Creighton with three straight wins, and Mike Gerber (Waves)didn't pick up any hits in the bookends of the series. He did have a strong middle game in a 7-4 loss. He went 1-5 but had a three-run blast to right center to cap a four-run sixth.

Ocello named Patriot League Preseason Player of the Year

Evan Ocello (Waves) was selected as the Patriot League Baseball Preseason PLayer of the Year, which was voted by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors.