Stephens to Compete in College Home Run Derby

Published on July 3, 2012 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
Wilmington Sharks News Release


Sharks first baseman Zach Stephens will participate in the TD Ameritrade College Home Run Derby in Omaha, an event that begins at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3 and will air nationally on CBS at 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 8.

In his sophomore season at Tennessee Tech University, Stephens ranked among the nation's most powerful collegiate hitters. His 18 home runs tied him for sixth in Division I, while his 0.34 home runs per game over 53 games was fourth best in that group. His .696 slugging percentage was fifth in the country. These numbers helped earn him a spot on the All-Ohio Valley Conference second team as well as a second team honor on the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings All-South Region squad.

This summer for the Sharks, the Hixson, Tenn. native has batted .215 (17-for-79) with two doubles, three home runs, nine runs and 14 runs batted in. His signature moment came at Buck Hardee Field on June 5 against the Wilson Tobs, when he smashed a fly ball over the left field wall to give the Sharks a 7-6 walk-off victory.

Moments like that as well as his clubhouse presence make it tough to lose Stephens for an extended period of time, as he left the team last week to prepare. Said head coach Ryan McCleney, "He's part of the team, the guys miss him and we all wish he was here with us but we all understand why he had to leave and it's a great opportunity for him."

Stephens will try to make 2012 the second consecutive year in which a Shark wins the national Home Run Derby, following Daniel Aldrich in 2011. Aldrich belted a total of 14 home runs in last year's event, edging Victor Roach, 4-2, in the final round. Having players selected to the derby in consecutive years can be credited to the coaching staffs. "The last two years, we've had a guy from each team go to the home run derby so that means we're getting the right guys to come play for us," said McCleney, who was an assistant during the 2011 season.

In order to return to Wilmington with the trophy, Stephens will have to beat out seven other competitors including Aldrich (So., College of Charleston), LB Dantzler (Jr., South Carolina), Tyler Horan (R-So., Virginia Tech), Daniel Palka (So., Georgia Tech), Derek Fisher (Fr., Virginia), Mason Katz (Jr., Louisiana State), Aaron Judge (So., Fresno State).

Though there is always a risk of a player coming back and not swinging the same as he was prior to a home run derby. However, McCleney isn't too worried about that happening with Stephens. "He's a good enough hitter to adjust when he gets back here to understand that he's not going to hit a home run every time he gets up to the plate.'

Participants in the 2012 Coastal Plain League Home Run Derby and All Star Game have not been decided, but Stephens could have a second long ball contest to participate in later this summer. Those events will take place at Fleming Stadium in Wilson, N.C. on July 22 and 23.

The Wilmington Sharks are members of Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest summer collegiate baseball league. Now in its 16th season, The Coastal Plain League features 14 teams playing in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. The CPL gives college players the chance to refine their skills with the use of wooden bats. Players are housed with local host families for the summer. The CPL has had over 1,000 alumni drafted and 52 alums make their Major League debut thus far. For more information on the Coastal Plain League, please visit the league website at www.coastalplain.com.

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