Lehigh University Athletics
Indians promote McBride to Triple-A Columbus
8/6/2010 4:13:00 PM | Baseball
McBride AAA HOME
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Former Lehigh standout Matt McBride is now just one step from the Major Leagues. The 2006 Patriot League Player of the Year was transferred from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Columbus last Thursday to replace injured outfielder Ezequiel Carrera on the Clippers roster. McBride enjoyed a dazzling debut for the Cleveland Indians Triple-A affiliate, as he went 4-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Columbus' 11-8 win over the Buffalo Bisons.
McBride has hit the ground running at the Triple-A level, hitting safely in four of his first six games. Through six games with Columbus, McBride is batting .320 (8-for-25) with a double, a home run, and three runs batted in. McBride has played first base primarily for the Clippers after spending most of his time with Akron in the outfield.
Prior to his promotion, the Bethlehem native was in his first full season with the Akron Aeros, compiling a .285 average and appearing in 94 of the Aeros' 104 games. McBride ranked among the team leaders with 17 home runs at 64 RBI.
A catcher at Lehigh, McBride helped lead the Mountain Hawks to their first ever Patriot League tournament title and first NCAA tournament berth in school history. He became the first Lehigh player to win the Patriot League Triple Crown by hitting .417 with 12 home runs and driving in 61 runs. He set a new Patriot League record in 2006 with his 88 hits, and left Lehigh in second place all-time with 198 career hits. His selection as the 75th pick in the 2006 draft was the highest a Lehigh player has ever been selected in the draft, and the highest draft pick in Patriot League history. McBride still holds many Lehigh records including career doubles (56), and single season records for home runs (21), RBI (61), hits (88), and doubles (20).
McBride and the Clippers will open a four game series at Buffalo on Thursday.
Story written by Michelle Hutchinson
Photography © 2010, Joe Sandry. Used with permission.
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