Gregory, Battle, Coutney and Dengler Earn All-State Honors

NORFOLK, Va. – Four baseball Monarchs in Hunter Gregory, Kyle Battle, Matt Coutney and Chris Dengler were named to the Virginia All-State University Division Baseball Second Team, as voted on by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID).

Gregory, the Monarchs primary Friday pitcher made four starts earning a 2-0 record on the bump with a 1.69 ERA in 21.1 innings of work. The Chesapeake, Va. native led the team with 28 strikeouts. He allowed just four runs while opponents hit .244 against him. On March 6, Gregory tossed a season-high 6.0 innings against Rutgers. In ODU's February 22 victory over Holy Cross, Gregory recorded a career-high 11 strikeouts.

Outfielder Battle was off to a hot start in the shortened 2020 season. The Glen Allen, Va. native started in all 16 games, hitting .367 with five doubles, two triples, three home runs and 16 RBIs. Battle had a season-high four hits against VMI on March 3 and put together a season-high three RBIs against Norfolk State on March 10. He compiled four multi-hit games and hit a walk-off single to defeat Rutgers, 8-7 on March 7. Battle closed out the season leading the team in hits, compiling 22. The senior was tabbed C-USA Hitter of the Week on March 9 after averaging .412, knocking in seven RBIs, seven hits and seven runs in ODU's 4-0 week. 

First baseman Coutney started in all 16 games. He averaged .288 with 17 hits, two doubles, two home runs and 17 RBIs. The Edmonton, Alberta native recorded a season-high four RBIs in the Monarchs 11-1 win over Rutgers on March 8. Coutney put together six multi-hit games and stole one base against Rutgers. 

Freshman Dengler was off to a solid start to his collegiate career before the season was cut short. The Charleston, S.C. native hit .340 with three doubles, one triple and eight RBI as he started in 15 games. The third baseman recorded five multi-hit games, notched a season-high three hits against Yale and hit his first career triple against Big Ten opponent Rutgers. On June 2, Dengler was tabbed a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American. 

2020 VaSID All-State Baseball University Awards 
Player of the Year
Carson Taylor – Virginia Tech
 
Pitcher of the Year
Ian Seymour – Virginia Tech
 
Rookie of the Year
Chris Newell – University of Virginia
 
Coach of the Year
Brian O'Connor – University of Virginia
 
First Team
SP – Griff McGarry – University of Virginia
SP – Ian Seymour – Virginia Tech
SP – Justin Showalter – James Madison
RP – Andrew Abbott – University of Virginia
RP – Stephen Schoch – University of Virginia
C – Carson Taylor – Virginia Tech
1B – Steven Carpenter – VCU
2B – Max Cotier – University of Virginia
3B – Zack Gelof – University of Virginia
SS – Colby Higgerson – Radford University
OF – Chase DeLauter – James Madison
OF – Will Knight – VMI
OF – Chris Newell – University of Virginia
DH – J.D. Mundy – Radford University
UT – Jack Cone – William & Mary
 
Second Team
SP – Chris Farrell – William & Mary
SP – Chris Gerard – Virginia Tech
SP – Hunter Gregory – Old Dominion
RP – Austin Gerber – Radford University
RP – Landon Riley – Liberty University
C – Logan Michaels – University of Virginia
1B – Matt Coutney – Old Dominion
2B – Nick Biddison – Virginia Tech
3B – Chris Dengler – Old Dominion
SS – Nick Zona – James Madison
OF – Kyle Battle – Old Dominion
OF – Brandon Henson – VCU
OF – Brandon Raquet – William & Mary
DH – Hunter Hart – William & Mary
UT – Dan Leckie – University of Richmond