On Tuesday, Woodberry's seniors will take the baseball field for the last time in their storied careers. I would like to take a moment to recognize each and their baseball accomplishments while here at Woodberry. I hope that everyone will be able to come out to the game tomorrow at 4 PM against Trinity Episcopal.

Blythe Bumstead - Blythe has started all but five varsity games since the start of his junior year. In 2006, he batted .286, with 2 doubles. In fact, one fourth of Blythe's hits have gone for extra bases. Most impressively, Blythe has handled Tiger pitchers from his position as catcher and has only committed 3 errors this season. He has been a wall behind the plate, allowing very few balls to get to the backstop, and impressed opposing coaches wherever we go.

Teddy Helfrich - Teddy has been one of the best role players to come through the Woodberry baseball program in the last three years. Teddy has played infield, outfield, pitched, caught in the bullpen, pinch hit, pinch ran, and thrown batting practice on more than one occasion. Teddy has blossomed during his senior campaign, hitting .333 with a double. One of Teddy's best plays would have to be his diving catch of a line drive against Collegiate this season. His leadership with be missed as will his cheerful demeanor both on and off the field.

Matt Medick - Matt's play at second base over the last two years has served to anchor a solid infield defense. His natural insticts have impressed teammates and coaches alike and he makes difficult plays appear easy to the casual observer. Matt currently leads the varsity team in bases on balls and he is able to get on base over one third of the time he comes to the plate. Matt's backhad pick of a line drive in Friday's game against STAB was a rallying point for the Tigers as they kept the game close.

Nielsen Koepfgen - Nielsen has, without a doubt, been the biggest surprise of the 2007 baseball season. Penciled in as a starter at third base to begin the season, Nielsen has blossomed on the mound, accounting for three of the Tigers' six victories. But, at the plate, Nielsen has been equally amazing. After a 2006 campaign in which he did not record a hit, he has collected 17 this year on his way to hitting .347. Two of his six hits have gone for doubles and he is fourth on the team in runs scored. For those who know Nielsen well, it might surprise them to hear that he has also stolen 3 bases this year! Nielsen's play at third base has been both consistently solid and had "highlight reel" moments. He made a diving stop against Covenant that would have been featured on Baseball Tonight's Web Gems and has made several other plays that got the Tigers out of tight jams. We will miss hit bat, his glove, and his presence on the mound.

Blake Gleaves - As co-captain of the 2007 varsity baseball team, Blake came into the season with some heavy expectations on his shoulders. He has certainly fulfilled those and raised the bar high for future captains to follow. After getting cut from the varsity team as a sophomore, Blake discovered he needed Tommy John surgery to repair ligaments in his throwing elbow. He played lacrosse during his sophmore year because he was unable to throw. However, when he returned to action in 2006, he was a changed player. Able to throw, Blake split time between second and third base, experiencing some difficulties, at times, in the field. However, he did hit .250 with three home runs and eight stolen bases. In 2007, he has been on a season-long tear, hitting .447 with 14 runs scored, 4 home runs, 11 runs batted in, and the team leader in stolen bases with 14. Defensively, he has turned into one of the best shortstops in the Prep League, making plays all over the field. Blake's most memorable moment was certainly his three home run performance against Collegiate on May 1. Not many will be able to repeat that day. Blake has been an excellent captain and a good verbal leader. But, Blake's best attribute is his ability to lead through example. He hustles wherever he goes. When he draws a walk, he sprints to first base. When he comes on and off the field, he runs like he is having the time of his life. He is an example for all baseball players to emulate. Blake's determination to succeed on the baseball field has been fun to watch. From the time he was cut as a sophomore, Blake made up his mind to find the root of his problem, correct it, and work extremely hard through his junior year, the summer after his junior year, and the fall and winter of his senior year to become one of the best players in the Prep League. Ability is certainly helpful, but Blake has proven that hard work counts for a lot on the baseball field. There are very few like Blake in the world and Woodberry has been lucky to have him for a short time. We will miss him.