BY TIM HAYES
Bristol Herald Courier
Marcus Nidiffer’s summer vacation has been rather productive.
The former Tennessee High star has compiled a .348 batting average for the Covington Lumberjacks of the Valley League, a wooden bat summer collegiate baseball league based in Virginia.
Nidiffer leads the team with four home runs, has driven in 11 runs and scored 12 runs. In fact, he was picked to compete in Sunday’s Valley League All-Star Game.
A catcher, Nidiffer recently completed his sophomore season at the University of Kentucky. He hit .216 with five home runs and 17 RBIs for the Wildcats and helped the Southeastern Conference member earn a spot in the NCAA tournament.
Nidiffer isn’t the only local player spending the summer on the diamond.
Brad Robbins (Powell Valley) is also in the Valley League, suiting up for the Staunton Braves. The slugger from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise is hitting .154 (8-for-52) with four RBIs for the Braves.
Meanwhile, Sullivan East High School graduate Logan Bowers is putting up big numbers in the locally-based Southern Collegiate Baseball League.
Competing for the Tennessee Thunder, Bowers is batting .464 with three RBIs. He’s also scored eight runs and stolen a base.
As for ex-Virginia High star Justin Grimm, the year just continues to get more eventful. After helping the University of Georgia come within a game of claiming the College World Series, the right-handed pitcher will compete for the Bourne Braves of the prestigious Cape Cod League.
One of Grimm’s Cape Cod League teammates also has Bristol ties. University of Virginia infielder Tyler Cannon is the son of John Battle baseball coach Larry Cannon and is hitting .211 (8-for-38) with six RBIs and four runs scored for the Braves.
Morrell Moves Up
Michael Morrell was recently promoted to director of men’s basketball operations at Clemson University.
The Elizabethton native spent last season as a graduate assistant for the Tigers.
“Mike did an outstanding job for us as a graduate assistant,” Clemson head coach Oliver Purnell said in a press release issued by the school. “He certainly distinguished himself as a good basketball person and a hard worker. I feel he will continue to grow in his role as director of basketball operations.”
Prior to arriving at Clemson, Morrell spent two seasons as an assistant at King College.
Morrell attended Milligan College and scored over 1,000 points in his career with the Buffaloes.
Schedule Stuff
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise’s nationally-ranked football team will open the season on August 28 on the road against Kentucky Christian.
The game will be played at Morehead State University and is scheduled for an 8 p.m. kickoff. UVa.-Wise’s home opener is set for Sept. 20 against West Virginia Tech and homecoming festivities will be Sept. 27 at 1:30 p.m. against Lambuth.
UVa.-Wise went 9-2 last season and was ranked 14th in the NAIA coaches’ postseason poll. The Highland Cavaliers return several key players, including quarterback Randy Hippeard and defensive back James Haley.
thayes@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2570
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