Huntingdon’s Odom named to D3baseball.com All-American team

By Wesley Lyle

Sports Information Director

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Huntingdon catcher Joseph Odom developed into one of Division III's top power hitters and helped the Hawks reach their first NCAA Regional this season.

The junior from Vestavia Hills, Ala., led Division III with 14 home runs and was third in Division III with 60 RBIs. For Division III players with at least 160 at-bats, he was third with a .706 slugging percentage.

His performance was recognized this week with the release of the D3baseball.com All-American teams. Odom was named third-team All-American. He was recognized as a first-team All-South Region selection earlier this week by D3baseball.com.

"This is a well deserved honor for him," Huntingdon head coach D.J. Conville said. "He's worked hard and he is deserving of every accolade that comes his way. There's no doubt he had a great year.

"When you lead the nation in home runs and are right at the top of the list in RBIs, that speaks for itself. He was a key part of our team this year and the success we had. We wouldn't have been as successful as we were without him."

The Hawks finished with a 32-11 record, their second straight 30-win season and won two games in the NCAA South Regional. In the process, Odom turned in his best collegiate season.

In addition to his 14 home runs, 60 RBIs and .706 slugging percentage, he finished with a .369 batting average (59-for-160), 10 doubles and 45 runs. Odom accounted for almost a quarter of Huntingdon's 254 RBIs this season and set the Hawks' NCAA-era record for home runs in a season.

To view the entire D3baseball.com All-American teams, go to http://www.d3baseball.com/awards/all-americans/d3baseball-allamericans-2013