Ketner and Thomas Help HiToms to CPL Baseball Title

by Jared Schjei, HiToms

HIGH POINT/THOMASVILLE, NC -- Catawba College baseball players, David Thomas and Blake Ketner helped the Thomasville HiToms of the Coastal Plain League recently win their second consecutive CPL Petitt Cup Championship.  Both valuable contributors to the record-breaking season.

Thomas, a senior outfielder, had a summer HiToms’ fans will never forget.  Playing in front of his hometown crowd for a second year, Thomas awed the fans with his smooth stroke at the plate and diving plays in the field.  Thomas hit .335 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs on the season. 

His 49 runs scored led the CPL and he also finished second in the league with 17 doubles. 
During the Petitt Cup, Thomas went 10-for-22 with eight runs scored, two doubles, and two RBIs.

Hitting in the leadoff spot most of the year, Thomas set the table for an offensive lineup that scored a team-record 347 runs.  The team also produced 69 home runs on the season, easily a CPL record.  The previous record was held by the 2006 HiToms that hit 38.

Ketner, a junior pitcher, was a clutch performer down the stretch for the HiToms.  Mainly pitching out of the bullpen, Ketner went 4-2 on the season with a 2.88 ERA in 40.2 innings pitched.  He also struck out 25 batters.

Ketner really came through in the Petitt Cup, appearing in four games.  His sinking action produced a lot of ground ball outs that got the HiToms out of some critical situations.  Ketner was the winning pitcher in the championship game as he went three innings while not allowing a run and only one hit.  Overall in the tournament, he went four innings with a perfect 0.00 ERA. 

The Coastal Plain League features 15 teams in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  For information on becoming a host family for coaches or players, tickets or other team information, please contact the HiToms at (336) 472-TOMS or visit them on the web at http://www.hitoms.com.