Whitt and Blueberg are off to strong starts

Adam Whitt, the former Carson High and current Nevada baseball standout, is off t0 a sensational start in the Cape Cod League.

Whitt has appeared in six games for the Cotuit Kettleers, logging 12 1/3 innings. He is 3-0 with a save and an earned run average of 0.00. He has allowed only five hits and struck out seven.

Whitt is expected to be the workhorse of the Nevada bullpen this coming spring, and if he can put together another solid college season he’ll no doubt get drafted.

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And, speaking of former Carson players, Colby Bluberg enjoyed a tremendous professional debut for the Eugene Emeralds of the Pacific Northwest League.

On June 23, Blueberg worked two scoreless innings against Tri-Cities, allowing one hit, one walk and striking out five.

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Both the Western College baseball and softball teams were recently honored for their work in the classroom.

D.J. Whittemore’s baseball squad was ranked 11th among all National Junior College Athletic Association baseball teams in the country. Connor Klein, Jeremy Alderman, Joey Crunkilton and Jacob Bennett were student-athlete award winners. The team compiled a 3.27 grade point average, which was tops in the Scenic West Athletic Conference. Salt Lake was the only other team above a 3.0 (3.05).

Klein produced a 3.98 GPA, while Bennett was at 3.82 with Alderman and Crunkilton at 3.68 and 3.67, respectively.

“Western Nevada College’s entire athletic department is rooted in the fundamental belief that these athletes are first and foremost students,” Whittemore said in a press release. “Our players understand from the moment they are recruited that academic excellence is not optional. We have had and continue to have excellent leadership among the sophomores that create the environment that says, ‘It’s cool to dominate the classroom and the playing field.

“Three of the four were named all-region as well. It’s no coincidence that academics carries over to great performance as a team and individually. Baseball is a thinking man’s game, so naturally we want intelligent players.”

Leah Wentworth’s softball program was ranked 25th in the country with a 3.33 G.P.A. The WNC coach, who was faced with a six-week road trip this year, said the team studied in groups and utilized one-on-one instruction.

“That was by far the best we’ve ever had,” said Wentworth. “It says a lot about the girls who were juggling so much academically and athletically. Being a student comes first, and they definitely backed it up in the classroom, and I was really proud of them.

“They always seem to do better in season. The fact that they are busy studying together on the road, that is really a big factor. Athletics are that stepping stone. They are doing a great job with what they need to do in the classroom, and that’s what is going to help them down the road.”

Salt Lake (3.28) and Southern Idaho (3.07) also were honored from the Scenic West

Carson High grad Lindsey Ashbaugh and ex-Lowry star Madi Gonzalez provided the Wildcats with the highest GPAs, and were recognized with student-athlete awards. Ashbaugh carried a 3.83 and Gonzalez a 3.66.