The CFD Knights collegiate players will join the Knights Friday night in their Kokomo home opener after successful collegiate seasons. Six Knights competed at Indiana Wesleyan University in 2007, one competed at Ball State University, another at Ancilla College, and one more at Gadsden State Community College in Alabama. Two of the Knights nine collegiate players hit over the .325 mark and one over the .350 with a slugging percentage over .550. On the mound three Knight players threw over 30 innings with one throwing more than 40 innings. 
   

   One player, Jason Pattengale, completed his freshman season with Ball State's baseball club and played his first game with the Knights in their 5-3 loss to the National League leading Indianapolis Hurricanes. Pattengale batted .273 and carried a good .429 on-base percentage in his first season and held a perfect fielding percentage.  Joe Branch batted .233 in his sophomore season with Ancilla College and had six RBI with two doubles. For Gadsden State Community College Jared Gluff spent time behind the plate in his freshman season and finished sixtenth in the National Junior College Athletic Association's Division-I with five putouts per game, 140 overall. Gluff held a .973 fielding percentage.

 

   For Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) Ryan Moore had an impressive season behind and at the plate. Moore batted .366 and held a solid .567 slugging percentage while scoring 21 runs and hitting four homeruns with 28 RBI, two triples, and 11 doubles. He also totaled 246 putouts to compliment his .976 fielding percentage. Brandon Beachy also topped the .300 mark for IWU with a .326 batting average ad a .461 slugging percentage. He totaled 29 runs, three homeruns, 33 RBI, and 10 doubles. Beachy held a .386 ERA with three saves in 16.67 innings pitched and a .930 fielding percentage while seeing time at the hot corner. Shay Harden batted .290 for IWU with a .420 slugging percentage, 25 runs scored, eight doubles, three homeruns, 26 RBI and held a .989 fielding percentage. Matt Burthay spent time in IWU's outfield and on the mound. He put up a .240 batting average with four doubles and 16 RBI. In the field he posted a .936 fielding percentage and saw 32.67 innings on the mound. Tim Pauley and Kreigh Hirschy spent time on the mound for IWU as well. Pauley threw 41 innings and finished the season with three wins and three loses. Hirschy threw 35.33 innings for IWU and picked up two wins. 

 

   All players are expected to play this Friday when the Knights take on the Braves at CFD Investment Stadium in Highland Park. It will be Little League Night and all kids 12 and under will get in to the ball park free. Tickets will be on sale at the gate and the price will be $1.00 for fans between the ages of 13-18 and $2.00 for fans 19 and up. Little league players are encouraged to wear their hats to support their teams.