LCSC’s Greene is named the NAIA’s Player of the Year

05-30-08

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Senior first baseman Kyle Greene became the second straight Lewis-Clark State College baseball player to earn NAIA Player of the Year honors, while junior catcher Brian Ward received two honors from the NAIA, it was announced Friday. 

Greene, who is from Lewiston, follows Beau Mills as the NAIA’s top player. Mills, a third baseman for the Warriors last season, was drafted by the Cleveland Indians with the 10th overall pick of the Major League draft last summer. Greene is the third player from LCSC to win the honor as Jim O’Dell was the first LCSC player honored in 1983. 

Greene had a phenomenal year. He hit .429 during the season with a .934 slugging percentage, 18 home runs, 69 runs, 30 doubles, and 93 hits. In 59 games prior to the 52nd annual Avista NAIA World Series, Greene ranked in the Top 20 in several hitting categories, including third in double, ninth in slugging percentage, and 20th in hitting percentage. 

Greene tied an NAIA record during the season by hitting two grand slam home runs in a 10-9 loss to Dixie State.  That performance helped him earn the NAIA’s Player of the Week. 

Greene was the only Warrior to earn first-team honors in the 17-member team. Ward and junior starting pitcher Matt Fitts were second-team selections, while senior pitcher Justin Mace was an honorable mention selection. 

Ward was named to the NAIA Rawlings Golden Glove Team, selected by the NAIA Baseball Coaches Association, for his defensive play. 

The Golden Glove Team features nine players, one at each defensive position, and the junior from Huntington Beach, Calif., was the only Region I player honored.  

Ward also had a solid season at the plate as he hit .360 on the season, playing in 49 games and starting in 46. Ward collected 63 hits, including 17 doubles and eight home runs. 

Fitts, who was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 15th round a year ago in the Major League draft, returned to LCSC and became only the third pitcher in school history to post a 13-0 record.  Fitts started 16 games and had a 2.97 earned run average. He pitched a team-high 103 innings and struck out 109 and walked only 29. He also allowed only 70 hits. 

Mace, who transferred to LCSC from Northwest Nazarene was used as both a starter and a reliever. He posted a 6-0 record with six saves and a 1.44 ERA. He struck out 53 and walked only 13. 

Only players who were named to the all-region teams were eligible for All America honors.  The team was selected by  the NAIA Baseball Coaches Association All-American Selection Committee.