Bryan-College Station, TX (August 10, 2009) –
Although they are the two newest teams in the Texas Collegiate League, the Victoria Generals and East Texas Pump Jacks finished the 2009 regular season far ahead of the rest of the pack. The two teams took home the majority of the awards, including eight of the 12 All-League selections.
The expansion Generals finished the season with a remarkable 30-14 record thanks in large part to the performance of the TCL Player of the Year Mark Hudson and the leadership of TCL Coach of the Year Chris Clemons. Hudson led the league with an incredible .386 batting average and 15 doubles, while also batting in 27 runs.
Clemons, an assistant coach at McLennan Community College, was the guiding force behind Victoria’s success. After leading the team to a 7-1 start, he kept the ship headed in the right direction despite injuries, slumps and player changes on the way to a league best 30 wins.
In addition to the five players that East Texas had on the All-League team, Matt Juengel was chosen Freshman of the Year after hitting .322 with eight doubles, four home runs and 26 RBI. In their second season of existence, the Pump Jacks finished the season in second place, behind the Generals at 26-19.
Rett Varner of the Coppell Copperheads was chosen TCL Pitcher of the Year after compiling a 4-2 record with a scintillating 1.17 ERA. The right-hander limited opposing hitters to a .159 batting average and struck out 57 in 46 innings, while just walking seven hitters on the season.
J.B. Brown of the McKinney Marshals was also named to the All-League Team after hitting .356 with nine doubles and 17 RBI. The Brazos Valley Bombers were represented by closer Joaquin Hinojosa, who finished the season with a 2-1 record, six saves and a 0.00 ERA in 13 appearances. He also struck out 27 in 16 innings and limited opponents to a .143 batting average.
Player of the Year: Mark Hudson, Victoria
Pitcher of the Year: Rett Varner, Coppell
Freshman of the Year: Matt Juengel, East Texas
Coach of the Year: Chris Clemons, Victoria
All-League Team
C: Brett Nicholas, East Texas
1B: Mike Davis, Victoria
2B: J.B. Brown, McKinney
3B: Matt Juengel, East Texas
SS: Kenny Jackson, Victoria
OF: James Foster, Coppell
OF: Mark Hudson, Victoria
OF: Russell LaFleur, East Texas
DH: Greg Fontenot, East Texas
RHP: Rett Varner, Coppell
LHP: David Rollins, East Texas
Reliever: Joaquin Hinojosa, Brazos Valley
