McCarver gets All-South team

by TIFFANY JONES web editor

Sophomore catcher Erin McCarver was named the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-South Region Team on Thursday, Jan. 27.

“It’s a very nice honor for him; the reward is basically based off the fact that he had such a good season last year, and the people that voted on it feel he has the potential for having another really good year,” said Patrick McGaha, head coach of the baseball team.

McCarver, no stranger to awards, received First Team All-Gulf South Conference honors and was the GSC West Division Freshman of the Year last season. He said he was surprised to hear of the news.

“I wasn’t really expecting it,” McCarver said. “But I try to keep a small head about these kinds of things.”

Last season, McCarver, a native of Carrollton, Texas, started 35 out of 36 games and hit .346.

“Erin came in as a true freshman last year and really had one of the best ideas of a strike zone for a freshman that I’ve ever coached,” McGaha said. “[He’s got a] very strong arm behind the plate as a catcher and does a good job for us back there as well.”

McCarver’s success is due in large part to his patience, McGaha said.

“He took a lot of balls, a lot of walks, and a lot of times freshmen won’t do that; they’re impatient and get themselves out swinging at bad pitches; he never did that,” McGaha said.

McGaha said McCarver may be a big shot on the field, but in day-to-day life McCarver is a quiet guy.

“I’m not that big of a ‘rah-rah’ guy. I keep quiet so I try to lead by example rather than words.” McCarver said.

McGaha said he is proud of how McCarver conducts his life on and off the field.

“You like to have that kind of young man in your program,” McGaha said. “He’s going to do everything right as far as how he represents the university and the baseball program and is just a really good kid.”

The Bisons start out the spring season in a double header against Maryville University Saturday, Feb. 12, at home.

McCarver said he is excited about the things this season holds for the Bison baseball team.

“We’ve got a good team, so hopefully we can do some big things,” he said. “I know we’ve been working really hard in the offseason and things are starting to come together.”