Cedarville Magazine, Summer 2013

Cedarville Magazine | 9 SPORTS Athletes Honored Yellow Jacket Club Athletes of the Year Congratulations to these outstanding athletes, recognized at the April 15, 2013, Honors and Appreciation Banquet. Yellow Jacket Club Athletes of theYear Matt Brooker ’14: cross country/track and field (Pictured left) Kelsey Wilson ’14: softball (Pictured right) In late March, Brooker set a school record in the 10K finishing under 30 minutes at the University of Cincinnati Open. Brooker was also named the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Cross Country Runner of the Year and the G-MAC Male Athlete of the Year. As a junior, Wilson already holds the school records for runs, hits, RBIs, and total bases. She became the first Lady Jacket to be named to the NCCAAAll-America First Team two years in a row, and she has been ranked in the NCAA Division II top 30 in batting average and stolen bases. Dave Jones Memorial Soccer Award Deanne Bradshaw ’14 Timmy Waller ’14 Dr. andMrs. DuaneWoodFamilyAward Timmy Waller ’14 Pete and Joyce Reese Award Erica Bartholomew ’13: volleyball Steve Ellis ’13: soccer Don and Nedra Callan Sports Ministry Award Daniel Hickman ’13: basketball Melissa Stoltzfus ’13: tennis David Ledbetter ’14 became the first Yellow Jacket player in 26 years to be selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He was chosen by the Texas Rangers in the third round as the 99th pick overall. “This is an incredible opportunity, and I’m super blessed,” he said. But there was more good news to come. The Rangers also drafted his twin brother, Ryan Ledbetter ’14, in the 19th round. The Fishers, Indiana, brothers are both pitchers. David posted a 6-5 record with a 3.15 ERA this spring as the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) Pitcher of the Year. The 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound, right-handed junior led NCAA Division II in strikeouts per 9 innings at 13.65. With 20 victories in his three years with the Yellow Jackets, he shares Cedarville’s all-time wins record with three other pitchers. Ryan was 6-3 this spring with a team- leading 3.05 ERA. He struck out 59 batters in 56.0 innings while being voted to the G-MAC First Team. Ryan did not pitch his freshman season following Tommy John surgery, but in his next two years at Cedarville, he went 10-4 with a 3.16 ERA. Ledbetter Twins Drafted by Texas Rangers As the team’s closer in 2012, he posted a 4-1 record with six saves and a 3.34 ERA. “This means a lot to our program to have one of our players selected in the Top 100,” said Cedarville’s Head Coach, Mike Manes. Despite losing two quality pitchers to the draft, Manes remarked, “I’m not sure it’s ever happened where twin brothers have been drafted by the same team in the same year. It will be a great experience for them to both get a chance with the Rangers.” Both brothers are grateful for their experience at Cedarville. “It meant everything for me to play at Cedarville,” said David. “It’s more than just baseball — we’re here to represent Christ in our life and in our game.” Ryan called his Cedarville career a one-of-a-kind experience. “I wouldn’t be where I am without Cedarville,” he said. “I appreciate the guidance the school gave me, especially from a spiritual perspective.” The Ledbetters reported to Texas in June for assignments in the Rangers’ minor league system. David joined the Spokane Indians, the Rangers’ Class A short season affiliate. Ryan joined the AZL Rangers, their rookie team in the Arizona League. Identical twins David ’14 and Ryan Ledbetter ’14 were drafted in June by the Texas Rangers. Photo: Mike Hartsock, WHIO–TV