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Letter to the editor

Albright's love for baseball stays strong

By NANCY MORGAN
Published July 15, 2007

It was natural that California-born Kyle Albright Seminole/Pasco-Hernando Community College developed a passion for baseball at an early age.

His dad, Keith, hooked him on the sport as a youth, and Kyle's enthusiasm never wavered.

The Albright family moved to Seminole in time for Kyle to begin his freshman year with the Warhawks. A special memory for young Albright is the team's defeat of Venice to advance to the semifinal his senior year.

"After high school, I was looking for a place to go to school and get my way paid," said Albright, 21. "I chose Pasco-Hernando, and it turned out pretty good for me."

In his second season at PHCC, Albright averaged .349 at the plate and earned a .979 fielding percentage at third base. Albright's stellar play was recognized by his selection as team MVP and All-Suncoast Conference first-team.

"I had a good season at Pasco-Hernando, especially my second," said Albright. "All season, I was hovering around a .400 average until the last couple of weeks. ... I don't try to hit home runs, but when you hit it right, it goes."

When the offer of a full scholarship to Embry-Riddle appeared, Albright eagerly accepted. For the first time since he was about 9, though, Albright played rightfield.

"Certainly, adjusting to fly balls was tough, although easier in some ways than playing the infield," Albright said. "Good outfield work is all about reading the ball and getting a jump on it. Playing third is all about reaction and being ready for anything. This year, I'm hoping to play third, but whatever the coach needs me to do, I'll do it."

Albright led the team and the Florida Suncoast Conference in RBIs with 53 this past season and led the team in home runs with six while averaging .348.

MORE BASEBALL: Outfielder Danny Martin (Dunedin/Indian River CC) averaged .388 his senior season at Embry-Riddle.

- Nick Stanley (Seminole/South Florida CC) was selected to play in the summer Valley Baseball League All-Stars game this month. Earlier this month, the infielder was named the league's player of the week after averaging .474 and scoring six runs with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs for the New Market Rebels. Stanley plans to play for N.C. State this fall.

- Tampa's Nolan Brannon (St. Petersburg/Hillsborough) was also chosen for the Valley Baseball League All-Stars game.

- Dale Brannon (St. Petersburg), who is also playing for the Rebels, had the fourth-highest average at .278 at Connecticut.

- Outfielder Steve Lynch (Palm Harbor University) averaged .319 for Iowa Western CC with 17 RBIs.

SOFTBALL: In her first season at Nova Southeastern, second baseman Dana Bergner (Palm Harbor University) teamed with Valen Eberhard from Indiana to turn the 18th-most double plays in NCAA Division II. Bergner achieved a .953 fielding percentage for the Sharks.

TRACK AND FIELD: Ashlee Kidd (St. Petersburg) was named to the All-Atlantic Coast Conference academic women's track and field team. To be eligible, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative average. The Georgia Tech senior claimed six All-American selections, 11 ACC championships and was a two-time ACC Indoor MVP.

CROSS COUNTRY: In his first season at Tampa, Tony Nicolosi (Seminole) set a school record in the 3,000-meter race in 9:04.42.

SWIMMING: Austin Hampton (Admiral Farragut) was named to the ACC all-academic team for the second straight year. The bio-medical engineering major holds N.C. State's record on the 3-meter board

News for this column may be faxed to Nancy Morgan, 445-4119; e-mailed to namorgan@tampabay.rr.com or sent to 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. Please include phone number.

[Last modified July 14, 2007, 22:08:43]