The EMU Diamond Royals had two players named to the All-State Teams as voted on by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID).
This is the fourth year in a row that the EMU baseball program has had a player named to the VaSID All-State First Team.
John Judy (Shanks, W.V./Hampshire) was named to the All-State First Team as a starting pitcher after dominating on the mound in his senior season. He posted a 3-1 record in 26.0 innings over just five starts, while earning ODAC Pitcher of the Week honors twice. Judy was fourth amongst ODAC starters with a 1.73 ERA, and third with 11.77 strikeouts per 9 innings. His 34 strikeouts were third among all ODAC pitchers.
Judy got the season off to a good start for the Royals when he allowed just one run in 6.0 innings of the 2-1, 7-inning win over N.C. Wesleyan to win the season-opening series. He also saw time behind the plate as a member of EMU’s catching duo. As a batter, he added a career high .317 batting average in 41 at-bats with 6 RBI and a .512 slugging percentage.
Garrett Howard (Fredericksburg, Va./Courtland) earned a spot on the All-State Second Team as a designated hitter after working his way into the EMU starting lineup. The sophomore broke out midway through the season with three multi-hit games in a row, while getting 10 hits in his first 15 at bats. He led the Royals with a .412 batting average and was second on the team with a .444 on-base percentage. Howard also was third on the team in runs batted in and stolen bases.
The Royals finished the season with a record of 11-8 under first year head coach Adam Posey. Finishing with the highest winning percentage since 2002.
VaSID names 44 all-state teams in 23 sports each year, as well as an Academic All-State squad and an all-sports champion in both the University and College Divisions. Membership in VaSID is open to all media relations professionals working at a university or conference in the state of Virginia.