STARTING pitcher Rory Meddick is the talk of the Sunshine Eagles.
The workhorse on the mound has scooped all the big awards since the end of the Baseball Victoria summer league season.
He is division 2 most valuable player, club MVP and claimed all the pitching awards.
In the words of Eagles player-coach Shaun Moore, he has simply “cleaned up”.
“He had an outstanding year,” Moore said.
“Both him and [fellow starting pitcher] Adam [Irons] were in the top three in ERA in the competition.
“He’s just got a great work ethic.”
Meddick’s numbers from last season are staggering.
The police officer finished with an ERA of 0.90 and 97 strike outs from 110 innings and a 10-2 record.
He played a huge role in getting the Eagles promoted to the top flight and there’s no doubt he’ll be a vital cog again next summer when the Eagles take flight in division 1.
“You know you’re going to get a big commitment out of him next season,” Moore said.
“He’ll do exceptionally well if we can back him up in the field like we did this year.”
Moore also got a slice of the individual honours with the coach of the year award.
The player-coach was shocked when his name was read out.
He said it was a blur from the moment he heard his name read out to the moment he returned to his seat with the award.
“It was kind of overwhelming,” Moore said.
“I was lost for words. I didn’t think I’d be in the running.
“It’s an honour to receive it with a lot of great coaches out there.”
Moore said the Eagles would not have been promoted without the influence of junior co-ordinator Glenn Letts.
Letts claimed the volunteer of the year award for his countless hours ensuring the junior side of the operation runs smoothly.
If a junior section is not fully operational, Baseball Victoria does not allow clubs to be promoted to the top tier, and Letts has done a remarkable job creating a pathway for young baseballers at the club.
“If you don’t have Glenn, you don’t go to division 1,” Moore said.
“He’s brought a lot of kids to the club and helped develop them.
“He’s at the club five days a week and does a lot of work in his own time.
“He really loves the club.”
