STATESBORO - The summer provides new opportunities for Georgia Southern Baseball student-athletes to work on their game. A total of 23 returning student-athletes are playing in collegiate leagues across the country. As the season reaches its midway point, Austin Thompson and Christian Avant have both earned spots on the Valley League All-Star team while others lead their teams in several stat categories.

Matt Anderson - C - San Luis Obispo Blues - California Collegiate
Matt has caught 12 games for the San Luis Obispo Blues, hitting .300 with four of his 12 hits going for doubles. He has driven in four runs and scored six.

Christian Avant - OF/C - Front Royal Cardinals - Valley League
Following his Freshman year with the Eagles, Christian leads the Cardinals with a .380 average in 19 games played. He has seven doubles, two triples and two home runs while leading the team with 26 RBIs. Avant was named to the Valley League All-Star Team.

Steven Curry - 2B - Orange County Riptide - California Collegiate
Steven has played 17 of the Riptide's 19 games in the season's first half, posting a .310 average with a team-high 14 runs scored.

Mitchell Golden - INF - Keene Swamp Bats - New England League
Mitchell is having a solid season for the Keene Swamp Bats, hitting .326 in 26 games. He has five doubles and a home run with seven RBIs and 21 runs scored while playing shortstop in Keene.

Johns Hamilton - OF - Gwinnett Tides - Sunbelt League
Outfielder Johns Hamilton is hitting .250 in six games for the Tides. He has two RBIs and three hits in limited playing time for the club.

Hayden Harris - LHP - Front Royal Cardinals - Valley League
Hayden has thrown 10 innings over eight appearances. He has 17 strikeouts with a 4.50 ERA.

Austin Hohm - RHP - Atlanta Crackers - Sunbelt League
After redshirting in the spring of 2018, Austin Hohm has made two appearances for the Atlanta Crackers in the summer of 2018.

Lawson Humphries - RHP - Victoria Harbour Cats - West Coast League
Lawson has thrown 10 times north of the border in the first month of the season, working 9.1 innings in relief with a 2.89 ERA.

Braxton Johns - RHP - Willmar Stingers - Northwoods League
Braxton has pitched eight times, all in relief, recording 18.2 innings for the Stingers in the first half of the year. He has a 2.31 ERA with 12 strikeouts and a 2-0 record.

Nick Jones - LHP - Clarinda A's - MINK League
Nick leads the Clarinda A's in strikeouts, fanning 32 batters in 16.0 innings of work. He has pitched in 14 games and has three saves.

Robert Malone - OF - Pompano Beach Clippers - South Florida Collegiate
The only Eagle in the South Florida Collegiate League, Robert has a .200 average in 20 games with the Clippers.

Mason McWhorter - OF - Orange County Riptide - California Collegiate
Mason leads the riptide in home runs, hitting four in 14 games. He is hitting .312 with a team-best 16 RBIs.

Jacob Parker - RHP - Orange County Riptide - California Collegiate
The native of Monroe, Jacob has tossed eight innings, posting a 1-1 record with a save and a 3.38 ERA. He picked up his first win over the Academy Barons June 13 and earned a save on June 19 against Arroyo Seco Saints.

Zach Perdue - INF - St. Joseph Mustangs - MINK League
After sitting out for the 2018 collegiate season, Zach has appeared in 20 games in the early portion of the season, posting a .234 average with seven RBIs.

Noah Searcy - OF - Saugerties Stallions - Perfect Game League
Noah has played 20 games in the first half of the season for Saugerties. He owns a .150 average with a home run and eight RBIs.

Cody Shook - OF - Gwinnett Tides - Sunbelt League
Cody is hitting .267 with the Gwinnett Tides over the first 16 games of the season. He shares the team lead in RBIs with eight runs knocked in.

Seth Shuman - RHP - Cotuit Kettleers - Cape Cod League
In three appearances, Seth has a 2.31 ERA. He has started two games and struck out nine batters in his second season with Cotuit.

Blake Simmons - 3B - Purcellville Cannons - Valley League
After finishing his Redshirt Freshman season with the Eagles, Blake is hitting .222 in the Valley League. He has eight RBIs and a home run in 13 games played.

Zach Strickland - RHP - Saugerties Stallions - Perfect Game League
Zach has started four games and pitched five times for the Stallions. He has worked 21.0 innings and has a 1-1 record and 22 strikeouts.

Jason Swan - 1B - Vermont Mountaineers - New England League
Georgia Southern's first baseman is hitting .138 in 14 games with Vermont.

Austin Thompson - INF - Strasburg Express - Valley League
Austin has played all 26 games for the express, hitting .248 while leading the team with five home runs. He has 20 RBIs and 16 runs scored at shortstop for the Express. Thompson was named to the Valley League All-Star Team.

Nolan Tressler - OF - Vermont Mountaineers - New England League
Nolan is hitting .211 in 18 games following his freshman campaign in Statesboro. He has walked 15 times and scored eight runs for the Mountaineers.

Cole Whitney - RHP - Sanford Mariners - New England League
Cole has thrown in four games with three starts, working 12.1 innings and recording a 6.56 ERA with 13 strikeouts.

The 2018 Eagles closed the season at 30-26, earning the No. 5 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament and placing in a tie for third place in the East Division. The upcoming 2019 roster features 30 returners from 2018 as the program celebrates Head Coach Rodney Hennon's 20th season at the helm.