by Alan Hoskins, KCKCC
Led by eight All-Academic team members, the Kansas City Kansas Community College baseball team has earned NJCAA All-Academic team designation for 2019.
The baseball team is one of four KCKCC teams receiving All-Academic Team honors by the NJCAA. It’s the third such honor for fourth year KCKCC coach Matt Goldbeck. Softball, volleyball and men’s soccer were also designated All-Academic teams.
Compiling a perfect 4.0 grade point average, freshman outfielder Kaleb Harrison of Neola, Iowa, is the Blue Devils’ lone first team selection while sophomore infielder Traice Hartter of Topeka Seaman earned second team honors with a 3.88 GPA.
Six Blue Devils were named to the third team, all freshmen. They are Eduardo Acosta, an outfielder from San German, Puerto Rico, who had a 3.71 GPA; catcher Griffin Everett of Lincoln, Nebraska, (3.70); infielders Tyler Henry of Gardner-Edgerton (3.70), and Christopher Viera of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, (3.64); and pitchers Phillip Bryant of Little Rock, Arkansas, (3/76), and Jake Martin of Aurora, Colorado, (3.68)
“I think this is a real tribute to the athletes,” Goldbeck said. “For them to excel during the very demanding schedule we have each spring is a reflection on their dedication to their classroom responsibilities.”
Goldbeck said grades are monitored through regular grade checks and study halls are offered to assure athletes do not fall behind.
“We want to see our players move on to continue playing at the highest level possible but in the long run, education is the No. 1 priority,” Goldbeck said.