BOONE, N.C. – With summer ball in full swing, it's time to check in on some impressive performances from around the various summer circuits.
Austin St. Laurent – Burlington Sock Puppets (Appalachian League)
After garnering Freshman of the Year in the Sun Belt, and Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball, St. Laurent has showed no signs of slowing down this summer. Sunday, he hit his second home run for the Burlington Suck Puppets, as part of a two-hit, four-RBI ballgame, and has now driven in 15 runs on the season, to go along with an eye-popping .439 average and 1.172 OPS. St. Laurent's first homer this summer was measured at 406 feet and left the bat at 100 miles-per-hour. The rising redshirt sophomore from Elon, N.C. has played multiple positions defensively, playing at shortstop, third base, and first base. It is also expected that he will also pitch in a limited capacity this summer.
Braxton Church – Bristol State Liners (Appalachian League)
A freshman who came on strong down the stretch in 2022, Church has excelled at the dish for the Bristol State Liners this summer. Sunday, he walked twice and scored a run, and he is now hitting .306 overall on the season with an OPS at 1.114. Church blasted a home run, June 17, and followed it up with a triple the following day.
Dylan Rogers – Morehead City Marlins (Coastal Plain League) / Brewster Whitecaps (Cape Cod League)
After beginning his summer by playing in four games for the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod League, Rogers has continued his offseason back in the state of North Carolina, playing for the Morehead City Marlins. In four games with the Marlins, Rogers has tallied a pair of hits, including a double, and has driven in three runs.
Cy Smith – Forest City Owls (Coastal Plain League)
Smith has been sensational on the mound this summer for the Owls. In three relief outings he has combined to deliver 6.2 scoreless innings without yielding a hit. He has struck out three and walked two, earning the win in all three appearances.
Jordan Fisher – Carolina Disco Turkeys (AAABA)
After redshirting in 2022, Fisher is pitching for the Carolina Disco Turkeys this summer. Fisher and the Turkey's make several trips to Boone to face off with the Bigfoots at Smith Stadium. The next meeting between the two squads is Tuesday, June 28 at 6:30 p.m., where Fisher will have the chance to pitch at his collegiate home.
