Eagle baseball player flies high in summer league
Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 11:59PM By Chris McFadden
mcfaddenc@thejohnsonian.com
League names Chas Crane offensive player of the year
Chase Crane - JuniorIf Chas Crane’s offensive performance this summer is any indication of the play he will bring to the baseball team, Crane and the team may be in for an outstanding season.
Crane, a junior from Bridgewater, N.J., was named the Rawlings Coastal Plain League offensive player of the year.
“It was truly an honor,” Crane said “I put in a lot of work in the (batting) cages this past year and was excited to see it pay off.”
Crane played for the Peninsula Pilots where he led the league in RBI’s (48), slugging percentage (.600) and homeruns (9).
“I believe that success comes from hard work and the opportunity to succeed,” he said.
The third basemen/leftfielder will bring those same offensive skills to the Eagles baseball team this spring when Winthrop begins their season.
“The goals are to win the Big South Championship and get into the NCAA Tournament,” Crane said.
Growing up, he tried out multiple sports, but baseball was the one that “stuck” and gave him the most pleasure.
Playing baseball since around six years old, the player of the year is quick to show his humble side despite the accolades that have come his way.
“I had a great group of teammates and a great coach; the fans were great, too, and made each player want to play as hard as they can,” Crane said.
Even the player he names as one of his favorite professional players shows the type of character and competitor Crane is.
“New York Yankee Nick Swisher is not a superstar, but he goes out there every day and has a good time and is excited to be there,” he said. “He respects the game and plays it the right way.”
The Eagles baseball team has enjoyed success in the past, but has slipped some in recent years. Winthrop finished 27-30 last season.
While the team will have a new coach in Tom Riginos this season, Crane thinks Winthrop can return to playing at a high level.
“We want to get to the point where our program is a consistent top-25 team year in and year out,” he said.
If the Eagles are going to have that type of success, Crane will certainly be one of the key players who will push the team toward that goal.
