Mr. Consistent

By Travis Young - Steven Liddle is quietly putting together a very nice season for the Commodores this season. In a league that features players like Kent Matthes, Rich Poythress and Nick Ebert, Liddle’s name kind of flies under the radar.

Through 61 games this season, the second-team All-SEC outfielder is currently tied or leading the team in eight offensive categories; (runs (62), doubles (21), home runs (10), triples (2), slugging % (.582) on-base % (.449), walks (40) and total bases (139). Liddle is second on the team in hitting with at .351 average while batting mostly out of the two through four hole this season.

Through May 24, Liddle ranked in the top-10 among all Southeastern Conference players in seven offensive categories; (batting average, on-base percentage, runs, hits, doubles, walks and total bases).

VU head coach Tim Corbin knew when they recruited him that they were getting a special talent in Liddle.

“Steve is a good all-around player who has always competed at a high level,” head coach Tim Corbin said. “He is very fundamentally sound in the outfield and handles the bat well. He has developed into a real good player for us and he is only in his second year of college baseball.”

In addition to his constant bat in the heart of the order, Liddle has showed that he can play defense as well, boasting a .984 fielding percentage while recording 118 put outs.

Coming into the season, Liddle was expected to start in either left or right field after coming on strong at the end of the year, but has blossomed into one of team’s best hitters. Liddle hit .310 with 28 RBI and 28 runs scored in 54 games last season, but has exploded offensively this season in becoming one of team’s most clutch hitters.