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batted balls · 01-03-2007, 02:14 PM

May 16, 2008

Los Angeles--With three likely All-Stars in its infield, UCLA fans sometimes overlook short stop Mike Edwards. That won't happen this time around as Edwards was named All-American Baseball League West Player of the Week.

"It's great news," said UCLA third baseman Troy Glaus. "Mike deserves some attention."

Second baseman Jackie Robinson added, "Mike has had as much of a hand in our success this season as anyone on the team."

First baseman Bob Hamelin agreed, "Mike sets the table for guys like me. He's also played a solid short for us."

Edwards hit a robust .565 with a home run and three RBIs en route to the weekly honor. Edwards (shown below) is batting .294 with one homer and 19 RBIs out of the No. 2 slot in the Bruin order.

Moreover, Edwards has handled 202 chances thus far this season without committing an error.

"He often gets overlooked by flashier fielders," said UCLA manager Art Reichle. "But I'll take my chances any day of the week with a ball hit to Mike Edwards."

For Edwards, a career .267 hitter, it's just a matter of finally being adjusted.

"This is my third season," said Edwards. "But, it's the first I've played short stop on a regular basis. In the past, it was a little time at short, a little time at second and an occasional game at third. It's good to be settled in one spot."

For Edwards, that spot is short. For UCLA, that spot continues to be first place.

Diamond Notes: Arizona center fielder Kenny Lofton is enjoying his finest season yet. The Wildcat speedster leads the West in batting with a .355 average . . . Texas second baseman Billy Bates is batting just .142 for the Longhorns. Yet when he has reached base Bates has run wild, stealing 19 times in 20 attempts. "We just need to get Billy on base more often," said Texas manager Cliff Gustafson. Bates seems very likely to shatter the AABL single-season record of 33 stolen bases by Louis Sockalexis of Notre Dame . . . UCLA slugger Bob Hamelin has gone nine games without a home run. That's his longest homerless stretch this season.

Stat of the Week: UCLA's starting rotation of Dave Schmidt, Matt Young, Bill Bonham, Jim Parque and Glenn Mickens is an incredible 25-4 with a 2.94 ERA this season.

West Standings

Team W L PCT GB
UCLA 31 11 .738 --
Arizona State 27 15 .643 4.0
Southern California 24 18 .571 7.0
Arizona 22 20 .524 9.0
Oklahoma State 21 21 .500 10.0
Stanford 19 23 .452 12.0
Texas 19 23 .452 12.0
California 17 25 .405 14.0
Cal State Fullerton 16 26 .381 15.0
San Diego State 14 28 .333 17.0

01-03-2007, 02:14 PM	#321 (permalink)
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,319 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 posts	Edwards Adds to Already Potent UCLA Attack May 16, 2008 Los Angeles--With three likely All-Stars in its infield, UCLA fans sometimes overlook short stop Mike Edwards. That won't happen this time around as Edwards was named All-American Baseball League West Player of the Week. "It's great news," said UCLA third baseman Troy Glaus. "Mike deserves some attention." Second baseman Jackie Robinson added, "Mike has had as much of a hand in our success this season as anyone on the team." First baseman Bob Hamelin agreed, "Mike sets the table for guys like me. He's also played a solid short for us." Edwards hit a robust .565 with a home run and three RBIs en route to the weekly honor. Edwards (shown below) is batting .294 with one homer and 19 RBIs out of the No. 2 slot in the Bruin order. Moreover, Edwards has handled 202 chances thus far this season without committing an error. "He often gets overlooked by flashier fielders," said UCLA manager Art Reichle. "But I'll take my chances any day of the week with a ball hit to Mike Edwards." For Edwards, a career .267 hitter, it's just a matter of finally being adjusted. "This is my third season," said Edwards. "But, it's the first I've played short stop on a regular basis. In the past, it was a little time at short, a little time at second and an occasional game at third. It's good to be settled in one spot." For Edwards, that spot is short. For UCLA, that spot continues to be first place. Diamond Notes: Arizona center fielder Kenny Lofton is enjoying his finest season yet. The Wildcat speedster leads the West in batting with a .355 average . . . Texas second baseman Billy Bates is batting just .142 for the Longhorns. Yet when he has reached base Bates has run wild, stealing 19 times in 20 attempts. "We just need to get Billy on base more often," said Texas manager Cliff Gustafson. Bates seems very likely to shatter the AABL single-season record of 33 stolen bases by Louis Sockalexis of Notre Dame . . . UCLA slugger Bob Hamelin has gone nine games without a home run. That's his longest homerless stretch this season. Stat of the Week: UCLA's starting rotation of Dave Schmidt, Matt Young, Bill Bonham, Jim Parque and Glenn Mickens is an incredible 25-4 with a 2.94 ERA this season. West Standings Team W L PCT GB UCLA 31 11 .738 -- Arizona State 27 15 .643 4.0 Southern California 24 18 .571 7.0 Arizona 22 20 .524 9.0 Oklahoma State 21 21 .500 10.0 Stanford 19 23 .452 12.0 Texas 19 23 .452 12.0 California 17 25 .405 14.0 Cal State Fullerton 16 26 .381 15.0 San Diego State 14 28 .333 17.0 Attached Images __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 01-03-2007 at 02:20 PM.