Joey Simmons, Baseball

Simmons, after going 10-18 from the plate over the Lakers remaining four games of 2013, has been named to the Spotlight this week. The speedy and talented centerfielder, in the Lakers final regular season games, helped lead Finger Lakes Community College into postseason play on May 9 with his performance against Corning Community College. Simmons, on the day, in a pair of Laker wins, went 5-9 out of the leadoff spot.

Three of his five hits were for extra bases as he collected two doubles and a triple in the doubleheader. In addition, he scored five runs and swiped three bases on the afternoon. The two victories combined with an Alfred State College win over Jamestown Community College, qualified Finger Lakes for the 2013 sub-regional tournament.

Just two days later, the Victor, N.Y. native once again produced another 5-9 day at the plate. On May 11 in a sub-regional doubleheader against No. 10 Herkimer County Community College, Simmons went 3-4 and 2-5 with his stick in games one and two, respectively. Unfortunately, the Lakers season would end on that day as they would drop both contests.

To go along with his 10 hits in the four games mentioned, the five-tool player accumulated 7 runs, 2 RBIs, three doubles, one triple, and four stolen bases.  

Overall, Simmons led the Lakers in numerous statistical categories this spring. He paced the team in batting average (.387), hits (70), runs (41), triples (7), stolen bases (28), and slugging percentage (.508). Simmons's 70 hits set the record for most hits in an individual season in Finger Lakes Community College program history. At season's end, the first-year Laker was selected First Team All-Conference and was named team Most Valuable Player.