Saying goodbye to six seniors who have all had strong careers for Puget Sound baseball

The senior players of the baseball team have led their teammates to many victories this season, and they have dedicated four years of themselves and their lives to Puget Sound’s team and their teammates.

Lucas Stone (Ashland, Ore.), Addison Melzer (Portland, Ore.), Tucker Barney (Boise, Idaho), Jarrod Beiser (Cupertino, Calif.), Jeff Walton (Carmichael, Calif.) and Christian Carter (San Diego, Calif.) deserve recognition for their commitment to the men’s baseball team.

Through the seniors’ and their teammates’ efforts, this year’s baseball season has been the most successful that it has in the past decade, in games like that of April 17 against Willamette. The Loggers swept the Willamette Bearcats in a double header.

This series was the third consecutive series sweep, extending the team’s winning streak to nine total games.

This period of success is the longest since the 2000 spring season. The Loggers’ “red-hot bats” continued, with senior Melzer on a hit streak (Loggerathletics.com). The game against the Bearcats rounded out the triumphant season with the Puget Sound seniors’ last collegiate game played.

6’4” senior Lucas Stone plays the positions of pitcher and out-fielder. His total batting average is .247. Stone smashed his first homerun of the year on April 26 in a game against Willamette.

Stone’s homerun began a line of three homeruns in the game, occurring at the bottom of the sixth inning.

Stone’s best game was when the Loggers played Lewis and Clark and went 7.0 innings, allowing only three runs and only one earned. The senior starter dominated against the Pioneers, helping to keep the Logger’s lead for the greater part of the game.

Stone has been a fundamental part of the Logger baseball team. His junior year  was by far his best year, when he powered his way onto the NWC All Conference team.

6’0”  Addison Melzer  plays first base and has earned a two-time All-League selection. As a senior in high school, Melzer received All-State Honorable Mention and was on Honor Roll for all four years. Melzer, a History major, aspires to attend law school or journalism school to obtain his graduate degree. Melzer had a strong field percentage at .965.  When he was up to bat, he consistently added multiple hits for the Loggers.

5’11” Tucker Barney is a Business Leadership major. Unfortunately, Barney suffered for the majority of his career with shoulder problems. His third shoulder surgery ended up sidelining him for the whole 2014 season. Barney played outfield for the team.

Barney’s hard work and leadership have greatly furthered Puget Sound’s team. Due to his injury, Barney took on a managerial position, and contributed greatly to team chemistry.

6’2” Jarrod Beiser is an International Political Economy major and plays pitcher for the Loggers. The senior pitcher came out of the bullpen this year, putting up impressive numbers.

The stat that really stood out was his strike out numbers. Beiser averaged a solid 9.33 strike outs a game as a reliever in 18 appearances

6’2” Jeff Walton is a Business and Economics double major. He plays outfield and infield for the Loggers. Walton is a two-time All-League punter and first baseman at his high school.

He is a member of the Honors Society and was named Student Athlete of the year for three years during high school. Walton throws and bats with his right arm.

His batting average is .203 and his field average is .978.

Walton has been a four year player who has made an impact every year.

As a two sport athlete, Walton may be one of the most athletic members of the baseball team.

6’2”  Christian Carter is an Exercise Science major who bats with his left and throws with his right arm. Carter was selected into the San Diego Union Tribune All-Academic Team in high school and plans to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy in graduate school.

His batting average was .277 and his field average was .984. Carter plays first base and catcher.

Overall, the lack of these outstanding six players will be felt on the team in future seasons.