CHARLESTON -- The Charleston Riverdogs ended its third season as a collegiate level summer baseball team on a high note.
The Riverdogs, a team that mostly consists of local talent who played high school baseball in the surrounding area, finished with a 16-9 record. They boasted a roster of 18, which included players from Sikeston, Dexter, Chaffee, as well as others.
"I am very proud to coach this team and a bunch of very good ballplayers," Riverdog coach Paul Sander said. "It is great to have a local team that provides a place for college-level players to play in the summer. We have improved our record every year the last three years and I feel we will continue to improve. More and more players are looking to the Riverdogs to play their summer season."
Chaffee graduate Jared Walker, who attends Shawnee Community College, led the Riverdogs with a .413 batting average in 55 plate appearances. Risco's Caleb McCord held a .409 batting average in just 27 plate appearances that included one home run. He also pitched in six games for a 5-0 record in 21 innings. He struck out 23, allowed just five earned runs for a 2.14 ERA.
Spencer Sander, a graduate of Saxony Lutheran, hit for a .406 average, scored 19 runs and led the team in hits with 28.
Sikeston alumnus Josh Hampton, Jacob Wilson, Cord Sheehy and Jarrett Sandlin were among the middle of the pack for the Riverdogs with Hampton hitting .280 with 14 hits and 10 runs. Wilson, who will be a senior for Fontbonne University next season, put up a .242 average in 79 plate appearances that included 16 hits and 15 runs.
Sheehy posted a .222 average in 39 appearances and also pitched in six games for a 1-2 record and 18 strikeouts. Sandlin picked up two saves and struck out 12 in nine innings pitched.
Dexter's Brad Potts, who attends Evangel University, hit for a .400 average in 50 appearances which included 16 hits. He also pitched in six games and struck out 17 in 20 innings.
Kelly graduate Ian Householder pitched 15 innings and struck out 12. He also hit .317 with 13 hits.
Joe Elfrink, a Leopold graduate, led the Riverdogs with 38 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched. He finished with a 3-2 record and a 4.78 ERA. Elfrink just finished his freshman season at Webster University.
Notre Dame graduate Alex Beussink also finished the season with a 3-2 record and led the team with 38 innings pitched. He struck out 36 and ended with a 4.26 ERA.
Other players not mentioned that made up the 2015 Charleston Riverdogs were: Ethan Borrowman, Dylan Koehler, Blake Gaddis, Patrick Shuff, Brett Quigley, Greg Craft and Jon Winkler.