Poteau Daily News

Muncy’s power explodes at OKWU, set for summer in Coastal Plain League

By Tom Firme Sports Editor

After a thrilling end to an All-American redshirt junior season, Cody Muncy of Red Oak will prepare to lace up his spikes for high-level collegiate summer league baseball.

Muncy will play for the Holly Springs Salamanders in North Carolina in the Coastal Plain League.

“It’s one of the top three leagues across the country.

There are guys from Division I, NAIA and junior college,” Muncy said.

Muncy will make the trip to the East Coast after receiving high honors. His name appeared on the first team as the NAIA All-American list was released on Tuesday.

Also, Muncy was chosen as the NCCAA Player of the Year in addition to being an NCCAA First Team All-American.

“It means a lot to me personally. I’ve played baseball all my life. It’s a big accomplishment, personally,” he said, adding that the NAIA honors are bigger because Oklahoma Wesleyan isn’t in the NCCAA anymore.

Muncy was the top hitter for OKWU and one of the best in the NAIA, leading the team with a .465 batting average (fifth in NAIA), a .565 on-base percentage (second in NAIA), a .945 slugging percentage (fourth in NAIA), 101 hits (second in NAIA), 94 runs batted in (leading the NAIA), 23 doubles (tied for fourth in NAIA) and 36 walks. He hit 27 home runs (fourth in NAIA) and had a .995 fielding percentage while committing only one error at first base.

“I’ve always been considered an elite hitter. I’ve always felt I could get better,” he said.

Muncy went 4-for-5 with a home run and five RBIs in the NAIA Tournament in a win against Indiana Tech.

When OKWU made the NAIA World Series, the Eagles lost both games on May 28-29 in Lewiston, Idaho, to end the season 46-11. He hit a home run off honorable mention All-American ace Hunter Dollander while going 2-for-4 in a 9-6 loss to Georgia-Gwinett on May 28.

“It was a tremendous experience. I never experienced anything like that before. It was far away from home in Idaho. They got kids from all over Idaho there. They got fans from Idaho — Oklahoma Wesleyan fans — so many people who care about the team and about you as a player,” he said.

Muncy recounted the the Eagles not hitting as well as they did as one of the best offensive teams in NAIA preceding the World Series. He noted that OKWU faced the top pitchers for GGU and Keiser (Fla.).

Muncy, who spent his first two college years at Eastern Oklahoma State College, was named the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year while OKWU won its fourth straight KCAC conference title. He had a three-home run game against Avila on May 1.

Muncy’s monster season came after he loomed large in a shortened 2020 season that was stopped after 28 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By then, he had 12 home runs (fifth in the NAIA), 39 RBIs and 45 hits while hitting .429 with a .569 on-base percentage and .882 slugging perentage.

Muncy will use his fifth year of eligibility resulting from the pandemic.

“Ultimately, getting [NAIA] Player of the Year, which would mean something for me, work harder and be an NAIA World Series champion are my ultimate goals,” he said.

He said he could have a chance to play professionally after finishing at OKWU.

“I feel I’ve always had a chance if I have promising numbers and stay in shape and get talked about,” he said, expressing that his coaches will talk him up if he earns it.

SPORTS

en-us

2021-06-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-12T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://poteaudailynews.pressreader.com/article/281801401906613

Alberta Newspaper Group