6/3/08

PORCH NAMED NJCAA ALL-AMERICAN
Makes NJCAA 3rd Team As Designated Hitter

BOONEVILLE, Miss.--Northeast Mississippi Community College sophomore Chase Porch (Blue Springs) has been named to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) All-American 3rd Team.

Voted to the All-American squad as a designated hitter, Porch is just the fourth player from Mississippi to be named an All-American in 2008 joining Kyle Lindsey of Pearl River CC (1st Team), Taylor Walker of Northwest CC (2nd Team), and Tyler Koelling of Meridian CC (2nd Team). The former East Union High School star and University of North Alabama signee becomes the first ever All-American selection for Northeast’s baseball program.

“This is just a huge honor,” said Porch. “I transferred to Northeast for the opportunity to get more at-bats. We had a great season, had a lot of fun, a lot of success, and being named an All-American is just a little proof for me that I made the right decision.”

Porch played one season at Meridian CC in 2007, before transferring to Northeast.

At the plate in 2008, Porch led the Northeast Tigers (32-18, 10-6) in at-bats (167), hits (72), triples (5), RBI (48), and homeruns (10). The right-hander’s batting average of .431 also led the team among players who saw action in 14 or more games. Porch was 9-of-11 in stolen base attempts.

“Chase was a dominant player for us this season,” said NEMCC head coach Kent Farris. “He was the ace of our pitching staff and our best hitter at the same time. I’m glad that the coaches and athletic directors around the nation decided to give him some well deserved recognition.”

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