2008 Woodie Awards
Rankin goes beyond the stats
Eli Rosenswaike, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 4/17/07 Section: Sports
Rankin's catch shocked everybody, especially George Washington's runner on third, Charlie Kruer.
Assuming the ball was going to hit the gap for a bases-clearing double, Kruer began trotting home. By the time he finally realized that Rankin made the catch, it was much too late to tag up, as Rankin already fired the ball back into the infield.
"That was huge," UMass coach Mike Stone said. "It was just a tremendous catch. When it was first hit it looked like it would be a double, and the baserunner at third thought it was too. He came out of nowhere and made a great play.
"I don't know what more I can say about it," Stone added laughing.
Ultimately the Colonials added two more runs in the inning, extending their lead to three.
But if Rankin's catch in the sixth wasn't enough, the senior came through twice more - without the benefit of a hit - once in the seventh and again in the eighth inning to help lead the UMass comeback.
After Garrity led off the seventh with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, Rankin drove him in with a groundout to second base. In a three-run eighth for the Minutemen, Rankin added to his RBI total -- without even swinging the bat - after he was hit by his team-leading seventh pitch of the season, scoring Adamski to cut the lead to one.
Rankin knows he's been struggling at the dish, but continues to do whatever he can to help the team, even if it means getting drilled by a few fastballs.
"I've been struggling to get it going," he said. "You come out here and want to help the team as much as you can, and that's what's been so frustrating. I've just been doing whatever I can, getting guys over, drawing walks and getting hit by pitches. I'm just trying my best, doing whatever it takes to help out."
"Bill brings a lot of leadership and experience to this team," Garrity said. "He's always keeping the intensity up and he's done a great job motivating everyone on the team. He never complains and he does all the things we need him to do. That's the kind of teammate you're looking for - someone you can depend on."
While Stone hopes to see Rankin pick up his production offensively, he knows he can depend on just about everything else from his senior center fielder.
"Every day for five years, his effort has been tremendous," he said. "He comes to every game and every practice with a great attitude and it's been a pleasure coaching him for five years. He's the kind of kid who gives his best everyday. You can't ask for anything more than that."
Eli Rosenswaike can be reached at erosensw@student.umass.edu. Log onto the Daily Collegian sports blog at dailycollegiansports.blogspot.com for more coverage of all UMass sports.
Assuming the ball was going to hit the gap for a bases-clearing double, Kruer began trotting home. By the time he finally realized that Rankin made the catch, it was much too late to tag up, as Rankin already fired the ball back into the infield.
"That was huge," UMass coach Mike Stone said. "It was just a tremendous catch. When it was first hit it looked like it would be a double, and the baserunner at third thought it was too. He came out of nowhere and made a great play.
"I don't know what more I can say about it," Stone added laughing.
Ultimately the Colonials added two more runs in the inning, extending their lead to three.
But if Rankin's catch in the sixth wasn't enough, the senior came through twice more - without the benefit of a hit - once in the seventh and again in the eighth inning to help lead the UMass comeback.
After Garrity led off the seventh with a single up the middle and advanced to third on a failed pickoff attempt, Rankin drove him in with a groundout to second base. In a three-run eighth for the Minutemen, Rankin added to his RBI total -- without even swinging the bat - after he was hit by his team-leading seventh pitch of the season, scoring Adamski to cut the lead to one.
Rankin knows he's been struggling at the dish, but continues to do whatever he can to help the team, even if it means getting drilled by a few fastballs.
"I've been struggling to get it going," he said. "You come out here and want to help the team as much as you can, and that's what's been so frustrating. I've just been doing whatever I can, getting guys over, drawing walks and getting hit by pitches. I'm just trying my best, doing whatever it takes to help out."
"Bill brings a lot of leadership and experience to this team," Garrity said. "He's always keeping the intensity up and he's done a great job motivating everyone on the team. He never complains and he does all the things we need him to do. That's the kind of teammate you're looking for - someone you can depend on."
While Stone hopes to see Rankin pick up his production offensively, he knows he can depend on just about everything else from his senior center fielder.
"Every day for five years, his effort has been tremendous," he said. "He comes to every game and every practice with a great attitude and it's been a pleasure coaching him for five years. He's the kind of kid who gives his best everyday. You can't ask for anything more than that."
Eli Rosenswaike can be reached at erosensw@student.umass.edu. Log onto the Daily Collegian sports blog at dailycollegiansports.blogspot.com for more coverage of all UMass sports.
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