Photo by: Seattle Mariners
Kyle Lewis To Speak At 2022 First Pitch Classic
11/22/2021 1:41:00 PM | Baseball
Former Bears star and 2020 AL Rookie of the Year to headline 13th edition of the event
MACON, Ga. – Mercer head baseball coach Craig Gibson announced Monday that former Mercer star and 2020 AL Rookie of the Year, Kyle Lewis will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2022 First Pitch Classic on Thursday, February 3 at Hawkins Arena.
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The annual First Pitch Classic event – sponsored by Macon Occupational Medicine and its Chief Executive Officer Leonard Bevill – is in its 13th year and will kick off the 2022 season, as well as benefit the Mercer baseball program. An autograph session will open the night at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. For reservations or more information, please contact Ian Humphrey at (478) 301-2738, or by email at firstpitchclassic@mercer.edu.
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Lewis is one of many high-profile guests to headline the First Pitch Classic, including Ozzie Smith, Gordon Beckham, Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens, Jeff Francoeur, Chipper Jones, Dale Murphy, Pete Rose, John Smoltz, Darryl Strawberry, Mark Teixeira and Charlie Culberson.
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Prior to Lewis being named 2020 AL Rookie of the Year, he was the most decorated student-athlete in Mercer history. In June 2016, he won the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country. He also became the highest pick in Mercer and Southern Conference history, being selected 11th overall by the Mariners in the MLB Draft.
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In his final year at Mercer, the Snellville native led the Bears to their second-consecutive SoCon regular-season title and a seventh-straight season with at least 35 wins. In addition to his 20 homers and 72 RBI, he ranked in the top-five nationally in walks (66), on-base percentage (.535) and runs (70) and in the top-15 nationally in batting average (.395). These numbers earned him recognition as a consensus All-America first-team selection, Baseball America National Player of the Year, American Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year and Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist. He was also named the SoCon Player of the Year for the second straight season.
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Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Baseball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBaseball (Twitter), /MercerBaseball (Facebook) and @Mercer.Baseball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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The annual First Pitch Classic event – sponsored by Macon Occupational Medicine and its Chief Executive Officer Leonard Bevill – is in its 13th year and will kick off the 2022 season, as well as benefit the Mercer baseball program. An autograph session will open the night at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. For reservations or more information, please contact Ian Humphrey at (478) 301-2738, or by email at firstpitchclassic@mercer.edu.
Â
Lewis is one of many high-profile guests to headline the First Pitch Classic, including Ozzie Smith, Gordon Beckham, Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens, Jeff Francoeur, Chipper Jones, Dale Murphy, Pete Rose, John Smoltz, Darryl Strawberry, Mark Teixeira and Charlie Culberson.
Â
Prior to Lewis being named 2020 AL Rookie of the Year, he was the most decorated student-athlete in Mercer history. In June 2016, he won the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country. He also became the highest pick in Mercer and Southern Conference history, being selected 11th overall by the Mariners in the MLB Draft.
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In his final year at Mercer, the Snellville native led the Bears to their second-consecutive SoCon regular-season title and a seventh-straight season with at least 35 wins. In addition to his 20 homers and 72 RBI, he ranked in the top-five nationally in walks (66), on-base percentage (.535) and runs (70) and in the top-15 nationally in batting average (.395). These numbers earned him recognition as a consensus All-America first-team selection, Baseball America National Player of the Year, American Baseball Coaches Association Player of the Year and Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist. He was also named the SoCon Player of the Year for the second straight season.
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Follow the Bears
For complete coverage of Mercer Baseball, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerBaseball (Twitter), /MercerBaseball (Facebook) and @Mercer.Baseball (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.
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