Three Bulldogs Named to Academic All State Team

Three Allan Hancock College baseball players have been named to the 2014 Academic All State Team by the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association. Pitcher Cody Thompson, catcher Ryan Welker and outfielder Kyle Smith received the honor. All three are sophomores and Central Coast natives.

A total of 43 players from across the state were named to the prestigious team. Hancock had the most players out of any team in the Western State Conference-North Division named to the Academic All-State Team.

Welker, who is studying to become a physical therapist, has a 3.65 grade point average. The Santa Ynez High School graduate is a catalyst to the Hancock offense. This season, the sophomore catcher leads the team with a .405 batting average, 13 runs, 17 hits and 12 RBI. He owns a .528 on-base percentage.

Smith, a recreation major, owns a 3.50 grade point average. The Pioneer Valley High School graduate is off to a slow start this season offensively. He is hitting .161 in 31 at-bats. The outfielder hit .310 and posted a team-leading .431 on-base percentage as a freshman at Hancock in 2013.

Thompson, an animal science major, owns a 3.53 grade point average. The Righetti High School graduate has yet to appear in a game this season for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are off to a 10-2 start this season and coming off two wins in three days over Cypress, the defending state champions and #1 ranked team in California. Hancock returns home to host College of the Canyons (3-8) on Tuesday, Feb.27, at 2 p.m.