THE BLUE HOSE BASEBALL TEAM RECOGNIZES SIX OUTSTANDING PERFORMERS AT THE ANNUAL BASEBALL BANQUET
PC's  Burns, Felts, Rice, Turco, White and Warren 
earn individual accolades

CLINTON, SC - Presbyterian College's baseball program held their annual team banquet earlier this fall and Michael Burns, Kevin Felts, Davis Rice, Chris Turco, Kevin White, and Matt Warren were honored for their outstanding performances.  Also, the banquet was in honor of the 2001 senior class.  

Six players were honored for their outstanding achievements during the 2001 season.  The following is the list of those honorees:

Kevin White, a 6-2, 180 pound freshman outfielder from Spartanburg, SC was named the team's Rookie of the year winner.  White emerged onto the PC Baseball scene with a quiet "power" that contributed to the Blue Hose posting their 5th consecutive 30 win season.  Known for his strong arm, accurate throws from right field, quick bat, and explosive power, Kevin put up some impressive numbers during the 2001 season.  Kevin played in 58 games, starting 57.  He posted a .315 batting average with 11 doubles, 5 homeruns, and 41 RBI's, while hitting the in the middle of the line-up most of the year.  He also stole 6-of-9 bases and is the only player to UNANIMOUSLY win the Rookie of the Year Award.

Kevin Felts, a 6-3, 185 pound senior from Winston-Salem, NC and Michael Burns, a 6-0, 170 pound senior from Simpsonville, SC were named  the team's Co-Cy Young Award winners.  For most of their careers, Kevin and Mike earned the reputation of being "nasty" and unhittable".  In 2001, both pitchers' elevated the pitching staffs of the future to a new level of excellence with their consistency.  Simply put, Kevin and Mike now own just about every record, single season, and career, in the PC record books.  For four years, this tandem thrilled the fans and players with their winning ways Kevin Felts finished the year 8-4, finishing this career with 26 wins.  Mike Burns earned 7 wins in 2001 to give him 24 for his career.  Felts and Burns are ranked #1 and #2 All-Time as the Winningest Pitcher's in PC Baseball History! Both pitchers' also rank 1st and 2nd in Innings Pitches (Burns-319 and Felts-296 2/3) Burns' 108 1/3 IP in 2001 shattered the previous record of 94 2/3.  Both also put up more K's in their career (Burns with 249 & Felts with 234) than any other pitchers in history.  Burns' 86 K's this past season broke the old record of 83 set by Clay Hall in '98.  Never before have there been two more dominating pitchers' at PC than Kevin Felts and Mike Burns, both are very deserving of sharing the Cy Young Award in 2001.

Davis Rice, a 6-2, 188 pound third baseman from Clinton, SC, was named the team's Gold Clove Award winner.  During the 2001 season, Davis joined an elite group of PC infielders by winning the best fielder award.  His steady hands, accurate throws, and strong arm assisted the Blue Hose to their record setting 5th consecutive 30 win season.  Davis, a sophomore, excelled in the field all year - flashing a .945 fielding % while becoming the #5 Single Season record holder with 135 assist.  His 229 career assists, in two short seasons, put him on schedule to break the career mark of 510 assists held by Gene Gobbel.  The .945 fielding % is the highest mark recorded in modern day history for a starting shortstop.  Even more amazing is that Davis played all four infield positions at some point during the year while being the only player to play in all 59 baseball games.

Matt Warren, a 6-2, 222 pound 1st baseman from Lexington, SC was named the teams'  Most Valuable Player Award and Silver Bat Award  winner.  During the 2001 season, Matt placed himself into an elite group by winning the Most Valuable Player award.  His hitting prowess and tremendous power guided the Blue Hose to their 5th consecutive 30 win season.  Matt, a sophomore, excelled at the plate all year - nearly setting new single season records for average, HR's and RBI's.  Matt's .402 batting average and 14 HR's are the 2nd best highest ever, while his 60 RBI's  are 4th best held by former PC great Gene Gobbel in '98.  Playing in 51 games, Matt also excelled on defense at first base where he fielded at a .992 clip, making only three errors in over 375 chances.  His overall play earned Matt recognition as the 2001 MVP - the only sophomore to garner the MVP award at PC.  Matt's outstand performance also earned him distinction as a 1st Team South Atlantic Conference and 2nd Team All Region Player. Warren capped off a great year in 2001 with a 3 HR day at Kennesaw State University on the final day of the season to vault him into the record books.  He is the first hitter to win the Silver Bat Award Unanimously!  In addition, Matt flirted with a .500 batting average before settling in at .402.  His 14 2B's, 14 HR's, 16 HBP's, and .469 on base % in 2001 also rank him near the top of the charts for single season best.  Most amazing though was Matt's slugging % of .764, nearly 100 points higher than previous record holder, Gene Gobbel, who had a .685 slugging % in '98.

Chris Turco, a 5-8, 175 pound junior from Marietta, GA, was named the team's Hustle Award  winner.  Chris, a junior, had a year to remember in 2001.  His efforts earned Chris recognition from his peers and coaches as one of the best centerfielders after being named to the All- Conference and All-Tournament teams (2nd Team All SAC, 1st Team All Tourney).  His .363 batting average, 50 runs scored, 82 base hits, 18 2B's, 4 3B's, 14 HBP's, and 21 SB's rank him highly in all categories for single season record holders.  Crashing into the fence, making diving catches, breaking up double plays, and speeding down the line to beat out a hit are all trademarks of the way Chris plays the game - has always played the game - and will continue to play the game.  His presence on the field changes the game and for these reasons, Chris has earned the first ever - PC Hustle Award.

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