UNC Asheville Athletics • June 2017 Bulldog Bites

Bulldogs End Year on National Stage Matthew Harding competes at NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships 2 • Bulldog Bites June 2017 UNC Asheville Chancellor Mary K. Grant to Serve as Big South Conference President

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – UNC Asheville the league over the short couple of years that Division I athletics conference,” Grant said be a high-impact experience within higher Chancellor Mary K. Grant will serve as the she’s been at UNC Asheville,” Kallander from the spring meetings. education.” Big South Conference President for the next said from the spring meetings. “We’re ex- UNC Asheville Director of Athletics Janet two years. cited to have her at the helm.” R. Cone knows that the league will definite- Big South Conference Executive Of- The official announcement of the new Ex- Grant is really excited to have the opportu- ly continue to grow with Grant as President ficers ecutive Officers in the league was made by nity to continue to build the league over the of the Executive Officers. President – Mary K. Grant, UNC Ashe- Big South Conference Commissioner Kyle coming years. “I have the privilege to work with Chan- ville Kallander on Friday, June 2, as the meeting “I’m looking forward to continuing to cellor Grant daily, and I know that she will Vice President – W. Taylor Reveley IV, of Chief Executive Officers concluded the build upon our strategic brand to strengthen strive to make the Big South the best it can Longwood annual spring meetings. the conference and to see how we can con- be under her watch,” Cone said. “She pas- Executive Committee – Brad Creed, “She’s already shown great leadership in tinue to turn the Big South into the strongest sionately believes that college athletics can Campbell June 2017 Bulldog Bites • 3 Harding Tabbed as Honorable Mention All-American by USTFCCCA NEW ORLEANS – Matthew Harding of UNC Asheville officially closed out his im- pressive freshman year by being tabbed an NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field All-American by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTF- CCCA). Harding garnered Honorable Mention All- America accolades in the 800 meters. “I think it’s a great cap to his year to be an Honorable Mention All-American,” UNC Asheville track and field head coach Jesse Norman said. “It’s super-exciting for him as a freshman and for us as a program. It’s already paying off big for us as a program with ev- eryone seeing him and UNC Asheville in the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Champion- ships in Eugene on ESPN. The other exciting element about it is that we can show everybody else on our team that you can go to UNC Ashe- ville and be an All-American. I am excited to see how this all plays out during the fall and the coming years.” Honorable Mention accolades went to those that finished 17th through 24th in their event at the 2017 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Ore. First-team honors went to the student-athletes from individual events and relay teams that finished first through eighth, while those who finished ninth through 16th earned second-team honors. Running in heat three in the national semi- finals of the 800 meters that were carried live on ESPN, Harding posted a time of 1:49.71 to finish sixth in his heat. Harding originally advanced to the national semifinals by posting a personal-record time of 1:47.92 in the national quarterfinals of the 800 meters on Friday, May 26, at the NCAA East Regional Preliminary in Lexington, Ky. His time in the national quarterfinals is a school- record and the second-best time in Big South Conference history in the 800 meters. The Big South Indoor and Outdoor Fresh- man of the Year and the league’s 2017 indoor and outdoor 800m champion, Harding enters his sophomore season owning two of the three top times in the 800 meters in conference his- tory. The season may officially be over now for the Conwy, North Wales native, but he is quick to point out that “it’s still been far and away the best year of my life in sport.” To learn more about UNC Asheville track and field, please visit uncabulldogs.com. You can also like UNC Asheville track and field and cross country on Twitter at @UNCABull- dogXCTF and on Instagram at @uncaxctf. 4 • Bulldog Bites June 2017 Patten Ends Year Ranked Regionally by ITA ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Ashe- ville men’s tennis sophomore standout Henry Patten closed out his impressive 2017 season with a top-15 regional ranking in the Carolina Region Rank- ings administered by the Intercolle- giate Tennis Association. Patten is ranked 14th in the final Or- acle/ITA Division I Rankings – Caro- lina of the 2017 season. Unranked in the region entering the 2017 season, Patten was tabbed 118th nationally in the Oracle/ITA Division I Collegiate Rankings that were re- leased on April 18, 2017. The national ranking in April came after a stellar regular-season for Pat- ten that saw the sophomore from Man- ningtree, Essex, U.K. go undefeated at the No. 1 singles position. Patten’s 19-0 record at the conclusion of the regular-season allowed him to become the first in program history to achieve an undefeated regular-season at No. 1 singles. He won every match but one in singles in straight sets dur- ing the regular-season. “This is an incredible achievement for Henry,” UNC Asheville men’s ten- nis head coach Tom Hand said at the time of Patten’s national ranking. “We knew he had it in him at some point, but for him to be recognized among the best in the country as a sophomore is fantastic. It will only serve as en- couragement to see how high he can go in the future.” Throughout the course of the reg- ular-season, Patten managed to earn himself back-to-back Big South Men’s Tennis Player of the Week awards for matches played Jan. 23-29 as well as Feb. 27-March 6. The 2017 Big South Men’s Tennis Player of the Year, Patten would over- all close out his 2017 campaign at 20-1 at No. 1 singles. In his two seasons with the Bulldogs, Patten is now 34-4 overall in singles. A two-time All-Big South selection in both singles and doubles, Patten and senior Josh Swindler finished the 2017 season at 20-1 at No. 1 doubles. The duo concluded their final doubles cam- paign together having won 16 straight to close out the season. Patten and Swindler in their two years together as a duo were 34-4. To learn more about UNC Asheville men’s tennis, please visit uncabull- dogs.com. You can also follow UNC Asheville men’s tennis on Instagram (@UNCATennis) and Twitter (@UN- CATennis). June 2017 Bulldog Bites • 5 Are You #AllinforAsheville?

Alone you can make an impact. To- rience that is essential to a UNC Asheville • Community Engagement, broadening mark your calendars and go #AllinforAshe- gether we can make a difference. education, including: partnerships in the city, region, state ville on June 15! and beyond From June 15-30, we are asking alumni, • Rigorous Academics, where students Want to get involved today? Sign up to be- parents, faculty, staff and friends to go are challenged inside and outside of When you go #AllinforAsheville, you sup- come a social media ambassador! #AllinforAsheville. Make a gift of any size the classroom port a campus where students are inspired and help UNC Asheville reach 700 dona- • Student Success, providing scholar- to invent, innovate, and change the world. Make Your Gift Now: https:// tions by June 30. ships, professional and personal Your investment helps keep UNC Asheville www.givecampus.com/schools/Uni- growth opportunities, and high-im- ranked as one of the top public liberal arts versityofNorthCarolinaatAsheville/ Your gifts fuel the dynamic campus expe- pact learning experiences colleges in the country, year after year. So allinforasheville/?a=563671 2017 UNC Asheville Summer Camps Baseball June 19-23 July 17-20 Junior Premier Academy (Ages 10-14) Youth Camp (Boys Age 6-12) Baseball Summer Camp Website: http:// July 10-14 baseball.uncasportsacademy.com/ Technical Skills Camp (Ages 6-14) July 17-21 Men’s Basketball Day Camp (Ages 6-14) June 12-15 Individual Camp I (Boys Ages 6 and Up) July 29 College ID Camp (Females Grades 9-12) June 16-17 Women’s Soccer Summer Camp Web- Team Camp (JV and Varsity Boys Women’s Basketball Men’s Soccer site: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/ Teams) June 22 and 23 May 16-August 1 AshevillePlayersAcademy#/selectSes- High Intensity Camp (Advanced Players) Speed and Agility Clinic (Ages 12-18) sions/1920001 June 19-22 Individual Camp II (Boys Ages 6 and June 23 and 24 July 30-August 1 Volleyball Up) Team Camp (Varsity and JV High School College ID Camp (Boys Grade 9-12) July 17-19 and AAU Teams) Men’s Soccer Camp Website: http:// Day/Overnight Camps (Girls Ages 10-18) August 12 menssoccer.uncasportsacademy.com/ Elite Camp (Boys Grades 9-12) June 26-29 July 27-28 Men’s Basketball Summer Camp Web- Individual Day Camp (Ages 6-14) Women’s Soccer Day/Overnight Camps (Girls Ages 10-18) site: http://mensbasketball.uncasportsacad- Women’s Basketball Summer Camp May 13 Volleyball Summer Camp Website: emy.com/index.cfm Website: http://abcsportscamps.com/ashe- 4v4 Tournament and Skills Academy http://volleyball.uncasportsacademy.com/ villewbb (Ages 6-14) index.cfm 6 • Bulldog Bites June 2017 Baseball Makes Positive Strides in Year-Three of Friedholm Era ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville head themselves. Justin Woods revamped himself baseball coach Scott Friedholm has a plan for during his time. He was a third baseman when the future of the Bulldogs. It includes goals and our staff got here and he also played a little bit marks for the short term, the long term and ev- of first base, but he found a place for himself erything in between. in the outfield and turned himself into a pretty But sometimes you get ahead of the plan and good relief pitcher as well. Kyle Carruthers, if that can be a good thing. you look at his numbers, they just kept getting The 2017 season was a great representation better year by year. Again, his work with J.J. of how that can happen as the Bulldogs made a showed over each season. Then Spencer Orr great late-season run into the semifinal round went from being a relief pitcher our first year to of the Big South Conference Championship a midweek starter to our most consistent start- Presented by Hardee’s after finishing tied for ing pitcher this season. He gave us a chance fifth in the regular-season standings. They to win every time he was out on the mound. made a lot of strides both on and off the field, Those guys will be missed, but hopefully those that can be quantified and those that are they’re confident in what they’ve left here as harder to see. every other program in the conference at least and what he does with our middle infielders, far as the culture that will continue on. Obvi- They did it after being tabbed to finish last in once in 2017. That’s hard to do for any team no what Tyler Hinchliffe did with our outfielders ously there’s still more work to do with that, but the preseason conference coaches poll back in matter the conference. and pitchers and what Jonathan Johnston does hopefully we’ll continue to make those strides February. “It’s a great tribute to our guys and the work with our catchers and our offense. Our pitchers and move forward.” “I think we certainly took some steps forward they put in all season,” Friedholm said. “If you now know they can pitch to contact and our de- Following the season, Tietjen was named an as a program,” Friedholm said. “Obviously look around the country, I would say there are fense is going to make most of the routine plays honorable mention All-Big South player – the it’s nice to see results in the form of wins vs. only a handful of teams that did not get swept for them. When our pitchers know that, there’s second all-conference nod of his career – and losses, the conference tournament appearance and even fewer that beat every team in their a new confidence in them that if they throw earned his second straight Big South Confer- and a couple of conference tournament wins, league. It shows that our guys, when they go more strikes and pitch to contact, the outcome ence All-Academic Team honor. On top of but I also think we took a step forward off the out and play good baseball, they can win any is probably going to be better for them as well.” that, freshman Brandon Lankford was named field in putting priorities in place and setting a weekend and it doesn’t matter who we are play- And they made those improvements with a a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Base- culture and a tone for what we want this pro- ing. Hopefully it’s more than one game on a very young team that featured as many as eight ball News, a first for the program since 2004, gram to be. weekend, but you give yourself a great chance underclassmen in the lineup at any given time. and earned Big South Championship All-Tour- “But that puts a lot of pressure on the return- to make a postseason run when you aren’t be- “The freshmen now have that experience of nament honors for his efforts during the tour- ing players,” Friedholm continued. “The guys ing swept.” playing collegiate baseball and playing in some ney. During the season, freshman Chris Troost that are coming back and those that are com- During the season, the Bulldogs took series big situations and big games like conference was named the Big South’s first-ever Freshman ing in need to continue to have a strong work wins over Iona, UMBC and Longwood at weekends, the conference tournament, going of the Week and Lankford earned the honor the ethic and not be satisfied with what we did this home and also claimed road series over Pres- on the road to N.C. State and nationally-ranked following week. year. Now that they got a taste of what it is like byterian and Campbell as well as won two-of- North Carolina, those types of environments,” And all season, the Bulldogs kept things in to play in the postseason, hopefully they will three in Spartanburg in the second weekend of Friedholm said. “But it’s also huge for our perspective by raising over $9,500 for the Vs. work even harder to get back there and try to the season. The Bulldogs also posted a winning sophomores because they now have a year of Cancer Foundation, one of the highest totals have some more success. A good way to look record at home (12-11) for the first time since teaching under their belts and while they will since the Bulldogs began raising donations for at it is to look at what some mid-majors are do- 2012. have to do it all over again next year, they won’t the cause. UNC Asheville finished the year ing around the country this year and what they The 2017 Bulldogs went 11-13 in Big South have to do it by themselves. They’ll have this ninth in the nation amongst teams that partici- have done in the past. Obviously you don’t have Conference action, finishing tied for fifth in the year’s freshmen helping them, so we’ll have pated in funds raised with much of the money to look too far within our own league as Coast- league standings to earn the No. 6 seed in the 18 to 21 guys helping 10 freshmen next year staying in Asheville and going to Mission al Carolina won the national championship last league tournament. The 11 wins in conference as opposed to six sophomores helping seven Health to help local children battling cancer as year. But you also look at a team like Davidson action were the most since the Bulldogs won 12 freshmen.” well as their families. this year winning a regional over a very good league games in 2012. Granted, the Bulldogs will miss four key “That is a well beyond the realm of what North Carolina team and we look at that as, Statistically, the Bulldogs saw a 10-year pieces from this season’s team. While the we’re trying to do here,” Friedholm said. ‘Why can’t that be us in the coming years?’” low in errors in the field and posted a 10-year youngsters stepped up big throughout the “We’re just trying to win a few baseball games, In 2017, UNC Asheville did some great high in fielding percentage as a team while season when called upon, four seniors were but our guys have taken charge of this head things on the field that were pretty obvious the Bulldog outfielders are currently second essential in making the tournament this year on and made it our mission to see how much to those who have followed the program for in the nation for outfield assists with 18. The and winning the 25 games. Joe Tietjen, Kyle we can raise to help not only the hospital itself some time. The Bulldogs made the conference Bulldogs also caught 33 runners attempting to Carruthers, Justin Woods and Spencer Orr all in building a new room for kids in that age tournament for the first time since 2012, won a steal on them, a 10-year high. UNC Asheville’s wrapped up solid careers with the Bulldogs and range of 12 to 14 years old that are battling this game in the tournament for the first time since pitching corps continued to make strides as Friedholm recognizes what the quartet did on disease, but also their families. Cancer affects 2008 and took it another step further by win- they combined for a 6.05 team ERA, the lowest the field, in the dugout and in the locker room. every one of us, we all have a story about it. ning multiple games in the tournament for the under Friedholm’s watch, and struck out 365 “What they did is hard. They committed These kids and families are being hit way too first time since 2007. They also won the sixth- batters, the most in the last 10 campaigns. On to play for one staff and then had to play for early, but to see how they react and battle, it’s most games in program history with 25 wins offense, the Bulldogs posted the most stolen a whole new staff after just their first year,” life changing for everyone on our team. These on the year. bases (56) since the 2010 team swiped 58 and Friedholm said. “They were all sophomores kids are battling but are able to smile and they But the successes and strides forward go even had the most extra-base knocks (134) since the when we came in to the program, but they all go in upbeat and positive and we like to be able deeper as the Bulldogs were not swept in any 2008 team recorded 178. got better which is a tribute to them and their to help them out.” weekend series during the regular season, the “It goes back to what we talked about all hard work. Joe Tietjen didn’t play a whole lot With all the different forms of success and first time that has ever happened for the pro- season and that is we played much better de- as a freshman before we got here and he then change that happened around the team in 2017, gram. And with the Bulldogs’ win over Liberty fense this year,” Friedholm said. “There were became our starting right fielder and then it’s easy to see the upward trend that the pro- in an elimination game of the conference tour- stretches within the year where we got a little center fielder and was consistently batting in gram is on. It has Friedholm and his staff ex- ney, UNC Asheville can boast that they were sloppy, but overall our defense was a step better the three or four hole. He wrapped up a really cited for next season and future seasons as they the only Big South Conference team to beat this year and that’s a tribute to Chris Bresnahan good career for us and his accolades speak for continue to build on the plan they have laid out. June 2017 Bulldog Bites • 7 Lankford Named Freshman All- American by Collegiate Baseball TUCSON, Ariz. – UNC Asheville base- ball freshman third baseman Brandon Lankford can add All-American to his résu- mé as he was named to the 2017 Collegiate Baseball News Freshman All-American Team as announced Wednesday, June 7. “Congratulations to Brandon on this in- credible achievement,” head baseball coach Scott Friedholm said. “He worked hard this year with assistant coach Jonathan Johnston on his offense and assistant coach Chris Bresnahan defensively to put himself in this spot. We hope, as a program, this is only the tip of the iceberg for what’s to come for him.” Lankford becomes the fifth Collegiate Baseball News Freshman All-American in program history and first since David Wil- liams earned the honor in 2004. He also joins Israel Victor (2002), Grant Rembert (2002) and Aaron Rembert (2000) as Bull- dogs earning the honor. He joins Radford’s Spencer Horwitz (first base) and Campbell’s Matthew Barefoot (outfield) as the three representatives from the Big South Conference in the honor. Last month, Lankford ended his freshman campaign by earning Big South Baseball Championship All-Tournament honors, be- coming the first Bulldog to earn the plaudit since the 2006 season. He was also named the second-ever Big South Conference Come Ready Nutrition Freshman of the Week on Feb. 27. For the year, Lankford batted .268 in 56 games, notching a team-high 55 hits, in- cluding 15 doubles and 10 home runs, both also team highs. He scored 37 runs and batted in 46 himself, also a team-best, and slugged .448 for the season. In the field, Lankford boasted 53 putouts and 76 assists. Lankford’s 46 RBIs was tied for sixth- most in the Big South this season while his 15 doubles and 10 home runs were both tied tests and had three RBIs in three games. RBI and two runs scored against the Run- the postseason conference tourney to ad- for fourth-most in the league. In the Bulldogs’ four games at Lexing- nin’ Bulldogs. The day before, Lankford vance to the semifinal round. Lankford started his collegiate career in ton County Baseball Stadium as part of lifted UNC Asheville to a 2-1 win over No. UNC Asheville saw its season come to an fine form as he registered a hit in the first the 2017 Big South Conference Baseball 2 seed Liberty in the top of the ninth with a end with 25 wins on the year, tied for sixth- 12 games of his career, including five multi- Championship, Lankford batted .313 – go- two-run homer. most in program history and the most since hit performances. In his first 12 games, he ing 5-for-16 as he garnered a hit in all four UNC Asheville baseball’s season came to the 2004 team won 26. Along the way, the had 10 games with at least one RBI and games – with four runs batted in, three an end on Saturday, May 27, as the sixth- Bulldogs were never swept and won criti- batted in multiple runs in four of those runs scored and a home run. The freshman seeded Bulldogs fell 7-2 to fifth-seeded and cal games by answering the call just about games, including three in the first game of slugged .500 and was perfect in the field 2017 Big South Champion Radford in the every day. a three-game series against UMBC at home with four putouts and five assists. semifinal round of the league tournament. Lankford is one of 21 players who stand on March 10. Lankford’s best game of the tournament The Bulldogs (25-32) put together an im- to return next season for the Bulldogs and In total, he registered 14 multi-hit games came in the Bulldogs’ elimination game on pressive run this season and did something Friedholm. He is playing summer ball for and ended the season on a five-game hitting the morning of Saturday, May 27, against that a Bulldog team had not accomplished the Haysville Aviators in the Jayhawk Base- streak. He batted in multiple runs in 11 con- Gardner-Webb. He batted 2-for-4 with an since the 2007 season: win two games in ball League. 8 • Bulldog Bites June 2017 Tennessee Mr. Basketball Finalist Signs With UNC Asheville Men’s Basketball ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville men’s basketball head coach Nick McDe- vitt recently announced an addition to his incoming class in Tajion Jones out of Oak Ridge High School in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Tajion Jones, Guard 6-foot-4, 175 Pounds Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Oak Ridge High School)

Jones put together a prolific career at Oak Ridge High School where he was a finalist this past season for Mr. Basketball at the 3A level in the state of Tennessee. He finished his prep career with 1,246 points, 148 steals and 136 assists. Jones knocked down 199 three-pointers during his time playing with Oak Ridge High School. He connected on 43.2 per- cent of his shots from beyond the arc. During his senior year at Oak Ridge, Jones averaged 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.1 steals per game. For his efforts in addition to being a finalist for Mr. Basketball in Tennes- see, Jones was chosen as All-District, All-Region and All-State. He was also selected as the Most Valuable Player for his district. Jones joins a UNC Asheville men’s bas- ketball program that picked up their sixth Big South Conference regular-season title in the 2016-17 season (1996-97, 1997-98, 2001-02, 2007-08, 2011-12 and 2016-17). The Bulldogs will commence the 2017- 18 season having collected back-to-back 20-win seasons and having made two straight postseason appearances with the Bulldogs playing in the 2016 NCAA Tour- nament and the 2017 CollegeInsider.com Tournament. with 23. Asheville reached 20 wins faster UNC Asheville is currently accepting per seat. The season ticket includes both The 2016-17 Bulldogs earned the second- than any other team in program history in deposits for season tickets, and fans can men’s and women’s home regular-season most wins in program history in a season 27 games. reserve their season ticket for only $50 basketball games. Keep Up With Your Bulldogs! Visit www.uncabulldogs.com daily and follow your Bulldogs on Twitter and Instagram at @ashevilledogs. You can like us on Facebook at UNC Asheville Bulldog Athletics. June 2017 Bulldog Bites • 9 Costa Rica Trip for UNC Asheville Men’s Soccer a Microcosm of What it Truly Means to be a Bulldog

COSTA RICA - The process of building a as well as they finished with one win, two days, well, you really do get to know your easily seen on the faces of the UNC Ashe- program is painful sometimes and it has its draws and one loss against top-notch com- teammates on a very intimate level.” ville men’s soccer players currently, and ups and downs as well, but the hard work petition. Before the Bulldogs left for the 10-day Mennell knows that he has a group of Bull- is necessary in building something unique, “I thought we played pretty well overall,” trip to Costa Rica, Mennell mentioned how dogs that are on the verge of taking UNC and UNC Asheville men’s soccer head Mennell said. “We played four opponents this type of trip is “a once in a lifetime” Asheville men’s soccer to new heights. coach Mathes Mennell believes his pro- that had similarities, but also were quite type of journey. That’s why he is extremely “I think that our fans and our community gram is taking the right steps in becoming different. The main overarching theme was thankful to work somewhere like UNC can really take pride in what we are build- something truly special. that we are at our best when we use posses- Asheville where the student-athlete experi- ing here at UNC Asheville, and, specifi- In fact, the recent 10-day trip to Costa sion to attack and also are very aggressive ence is truly valued. cally, in our program,” Mennell said. “This Rica for UNC Asheville men’s soccer fur- when we are trying to regain possession. “Every athletic department talks about trip is a microcosm of what it means to be ther reinforced how things are taking shape We want to be on the ball, we want to score the student-athlete experience and how it a Bulldog. We want to set the example in with his program on and off the pitch. goals and I love this about our group.” is paramount,” Mennell said. “However, to everything - academics, our play on the “I think that the trip only cemented what The style of play and the bond among the be fortunate enough to work at UNC Ashe- field, our interaction with the community, we already knew in that we have a really group continues to have Mennell and his ville where everyone from the Chancellor the way we talk, the way we travel … all of tight-knit group who really care about each staff excited for the upcoming 2017 season to the Athletic Director to the volunteer these things and countless more arenas are other,” Mennell said. “They also really and beyond. assistant coach embodies this mantra daily places we want to ‘win.’ When you endeav- desire to be leaders for others on and off “I think that the bonds strengthened dur- is truly unique. I hope we will be a better or to be the best and to do it in the right the pitch. It was special to see them as they ing the trip and they will really be evident soccer team because of this, but I know way, well, that consistent goodness leads to interacted with the kids during our com- when we get back together this fall,” Men- we will be better Bulldogs. I am not sure greatness, and ‘The Pursuit of Greatness’ munity service work. You cannot manufac- nell said. “There was not much adversity you can ask for a better statement of actual is what this is truly all about.” ture their genuine and heartfelt approach to on this trip as the games are friendlies, but commitment to making the total develop- To learn more about UNC Asheville working for others so selflessly.” I do think that the team-building will re- ment of student-athletes a priority. This men’s soccer, please visit uncabulldogs. That selfless attitude and hard work in all ally show when we get into the day-to-day trip proves UNC Asheville’s commitment com. You can also follow UNC Asheville facets allowed the Bulldogs to be success- grind that is the season. That being said, on every level.” men’s soccer on Twitter and Instagram at ful in their trip to Costa Rica on the pitch being immersed with each other for 9-10 That commitment and pride in all areas is @UNCA_MSOC. 10 • Bulldog Bites June 2017 Smith Named to CoSIDA Academic All-District Team

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville this recognition,” UNC Asheville track Academic Team. Academic All-America® Team combines senior Caleb Smith has been selected to and field head coach Jesse Norman said. The Academic All-District® teams are NAIA, Canadian and two-year schools. the 2016-17 College Sports Information “Over his time here at UNC Asheville, divided into eight geographic districts First-team Academic All-District® hon- Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic he’s been everything you could ask for in across the United States and Canada. This orees advance to the CoSIDA Academic All-District® 3 Men’s Track & Field/ a student-athlete. This honor will mean a is the sixth year of the expanded Aca- All-America® Team ballot, where first-, Cross Country first-team. ton to him and the program in demonstrat- demic All-America® program as CoSIDA second- and third-team All-America® As a first-team selection, Smith is now ing that you can come here and get a great moved from recognizing a University Di- honorees will be selected next month. eligible to garner CoSIDA Academic All- education while pursuing your Division I vision (Division I) and a College Division For more information about the Aca- America honors. athletic goals.” (all non-Division I) and has doubled the demic All-District® and Academic All- Boasting a 3.927 grade point average, A member of the cross country and track number of scholar-athletes honored. The America® program, visit the Academic Smith graduated from UNC Asheville re- and field teams at UNC Asheville, Smith expanded teams include NCAA Division I, All-America® Program index page: http:// cently with a Chemistry degree. earlier this athletic year was chosen to the NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III cosida.com/sports/2015/9/29/AAA_land- “This is a huge honor for Caleb to get 2016 Big South Men’s Cross Country All- participants, while the College Division ingpage.aspx? June 2017 Bulldog Bites • 11 10 UNC Asheville Baseball Players Adding Experience Through Summer Ball ASHEVILLE, N.C. – While summer time is the perfect time for many college students to catch up on some rest, for some collegiate student-athletes it is the perfect time to do just the opposite: put in more work on their craft to get better for next season. Summer league baseball is the perfect op- portunity for some student-athletes to hone their craft under the guidance of different coaches, in a new setting, while working out with players from all over the country. UNC Asheville baseball will have 10 players who will have benefitted from that experience come the fall as rising seniors Nick Boyles and Tanner Bush, rising juniors Carmine Pagano, Danny Wilson, Andrew Friedholm and Ryan Tapp as well as rising sophomores Kole Har- ris, Chris Troost, Brandon Lankford and Tyler Serricchio are all playing summer ball. As the summer progresses, UNC Asheville will post updates about the 10 and how their seasons are progressing.

Nick Boyles Team: Bismarck Larks League: Northwoods League, North Divi- sion began the season on Tuesday, May 30, with a Carmine Pagano Tuesday, June 6, against the Valley Blue Sox. Location: Bismarck, N.D. home game against the Savannah Bananas, Team: Sanford Mainers Boyles made 26 appearances on the mound winning in walk-off fashion 2-1. League: New England Baseball League, Chris Troost this season for the Bulldogs, second on the Northern Division Team: Southampton Breakers team. He will play this summer for the Bis- Kole Harris Location: Sanford, Maine League: Hamptons Collegiate Baseball marck Larks. The Larks’ season began with Team: Woodstock River Bandits Pagano, the Bulldogs’ starting shortstop in League back-to-back home games on Tuesday, May League: Shenandoah Valley League, North 51 games this season, will play for the Sanford Location: Southampton, N.Y. 30, and Wednesday, May 31, against the Eau Division Mainers out of the New England Baseball Troost, the Bulldogs’ starting second base- Claire Express. The Larks won the opener 2-1 Location: Woodstock, Va. League this summer. The Mainers begin their man who led the nation in walks at one point Tuesday before falling last night 8-3. Harris, a two-way player who saw action all season on Wednesday, June 7, against Tapp during the season, will play for the Southamp- over the field as a true freshman in 2017, will and the North Adams SteepleCats. ton Breakers out of the Hamptons Collegiate Tanner Bush play for the Woodstock River Bandits in the Baseball League. The Breakers open their sea- Team: Forest City Owls (Shenandoah) Valley League. The River Ban- Tyler Serricchio son on Saturday, June 3, with a 5 p.m. game at League: Coastal Plain League, West Divi- dits begin their season tomorrow, Friday, June Team: Lake Norman Copperheads home against the Westhampton Aviators. sion 2, with a 7 p.m. first pitch against the Waynes- League: Southern Collegiate Baseball Location: Forest City, N.C. boro Generals. League Danny Wilson Bush, a speedster on the base paths who Location: Cornelius, N.C. Team: Lexington County Blowfish spent time in left field this season for UNC Brandon Lankford Serricchio, who made 27 appearances on the League: Coastal Plain League, West Divi- Asheville, will be playing for the Forest City Team: Haysville Aviators year, including splitting time at catcher and sion Owls this season. The Owls, who play in the League: Jayhawk Baseball League designated hitter, will play this summer for the Location: Lexington, S.C. Coastal Plain League, began the season on Location: Haysville, Kan. Lake Norman Copperheads in the Southern Wilson was a pivotal player for the Bulldogs Tuesday, May 30, with a home game against Lankford, who started 56 games at third Collegiate Baseball League. The Copperheads in 2017, playing seven different positions, in- the Savannah Bananas, winning in walk-off base this past season as a true freshman and opened the season on Wednesday, May 31, cluding first base, shortstop, third base, right fashion 2-1. led the team with 10 home runs, including a with a home game against the Charlotte Gal- and left field, pitcher and designated hitter. crucial game-winning two-run bomb against axy. He will be on familiar ground this season as Andrew Friedholm Liberty in the Big South tournament, will he will be playing for the Lexington County Team: Forest City Owls travel out to Haysville, Kan., where he will Ryan Tapp Blowfish out of the Coastal Plain League, League: Coastal Plain League, West Divi- compete with the Haysville Aviators in the Team: North Adams SteepleCats playing his home games at the home of the sion Jayhawk Baseball League. The Aviators begin League: New England Baseball League, 2017 Big South Conference Baseball Champi- Location: Forest City, N.C. the season on Friday, June 2, with a 7 p.m. Northern Division onship, Lexington County Baseball Stadium. Friedholm, the Bulldogs reliable backstop game against the El Dorado Broncos. Location: North Adams, Mass. The Blowfish began their season last night, for 36 games, will be joining Bush just down Tapp appeared in 14 games on the mound Wednesday, May 31, with a game against the road from Asheville in Forest City. The for UNC Asheville this past season and made the Florence Redwolves with the Redwolves Owls, who play in the Coastal Plain League, two starts. The SteepleCats’ season begins on claiming a 5-2 victory. 12 • Bulldog Bites June 2017

Get Yours Today! 2017-18 UNC Asheville Basketball Season Tickets Now On Sale ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville athletics depart- regular-season basketball games. nament and the women claim the Big South Tournament title ment announced recently that the 2017-18 basketball season The 2017-18 UNC Asheville basketball season is shaping up en route to an NCAA Tournament appearance. tickets are now officially on sale. to be special once again for the men’s and women’s basketball To purchase your tickets today, please visit http://uncabull- UNC Asheville is currently accepting deposits, and fans can teams who are coming off banner 2016-17 seasons that saw the dogs.universitytickets.com/user_pages/event_listings.asp. reserve their season ticket for only $50 per seat. men win a share of the Big South Conference regular-season For more information on UNC Asheville athletics, please The season ticket includes both men’s and women’s home title before playing in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tour- visit www.uncabulldogs.com.