Harris, Cavanaugh named DI Co-Defensive Players of the Year
Charlotte, NC – Polk State shortstop Dakota Harris and Eastern Florida State catcher Drew Cavanaugh have been named the 2022 NJCAA Division I Baseball Co-Defensive Players of the Year.
Dakota Harris
The All-Suncoast Conference Defensive Player of the Year posted a .973 fielding percentage this season, committing just four errors in 150 chances at shortstop. At the plate, Harris batted .347 with five home runs, 36 RBI, and 15 stolen bases.
"What an honor for Dakota and Polk State college being recognized as co-defensive Player of the Year," said Polk State head baseball coach Al Corbeil. "He really prided himself in his routine and work ethic. Dakota is as good of a shortstop as I've seen in junior college baseball, and we look forward to watching him continue to excel at the next level."
Harris earned an NJCAA Division I Baseball ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove award and was named the FCSAA All-State/NJCAA All-Region 8 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-Suncoast Conference selection.
Harris is currently playing in the Cape Cod League with the Bourne Braves and will continue his academic and baseball career at the University of Tennessee.
Player Profile
Position: Shortstop/second base
Class: Sophomore
Bats/Throws: S/R
2022 Statistics
36 games played
150 total chances
94 assists
4 errors
.973 fielding percentage
28 double plays
144 at-bats
37 runs
5 home runs
36 RBI
.347 batting average
.421 on-base percentage
.528 slugging percentage
Drew Cavanaugh
Cavanaugh caught 37 games for Eastern Florida State and recorded a 1.000 fielding percentage with 257 putouts and no errors. The sophomore also caught 22 runners stealing which ranked first in the state and fifth in the nation. Cavanaugh finished the season among the best catchers in both the state and the nation by throwing out 66 percent of those runners.
"We could not be happier for Drew," said head baseball coach Steve Brown. "It is great to see his hard work being recognized on the national level. Drew is a leader both on and off the field for us and we could not be more proud of what he has achieved this past season."
Cavanaugh earned a NJCAA Division I Baseball ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove and was recognized on the All-State second team while being named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Player Profile
Position: Catcher
Height: 6'0
Class: Sophomore
Hometown: Rochester Hills, MI
2022 Statistics
37 games played
278 total chances
257 putouts
21 assists
0 errors
1.000 fielding percentage
11 stolen base attempts
22 runners caught stealing
118 at-bats
30 runs
8 home runs
32 RBI
.314 batting average
.437 on-base percentage
.542 slugging percentage
