By: Eric Samulski
With the summer season at times can be grueling and long, it’s important to have players that have been through the grind of a full college season. To that end, the Dutchmen continue to build a strong, experienced team with the additions of two sophomore outfielders, Will Miller, from College of the Albemarle, and James Locklear, from Rider University.
 A six-foot, right-handed outfielder from Kannapolis, North Carolina, Will Miller signed with Wingate University after graduating from NW Cabarrus High School. A former two-sport athlete, Miller red-shirted at Wingate before transferring closer to home and playing for the College of the Albemarle Dolphins. In his first season with the Dolphins, Miller is quickly proving his worth. He’s currently hitting .417 in 22 games with two triples, a home run and 14 runs batted in. Miller has found his way on base at an extraordinarily high rate, compiling a .511 on base percentage while only striking out eleven times on the season. Showing off the versatility in his game, Miller has also stolen sixteen bases and only been caught once. A talented player, Miller figures to be a fixture in the Dutchmen’s expansive outfield this summer.
Joining him in patrolling the outfield grass will be Rider University sophomore James Locklear . A 6’3” left-handed hitter from Hamilton, New Jersey, Locklear came to Rider after a prestigious career at Steinert High School. Named the Colonial Conference Player of the Year his senior season, Locklear capped off a tenure that also saw him awarded First Team All-County, All-Area, All-South Jersey, All-Group 4, and Third Team All-State. An immediate starter for the Broncs, Locklear hit .263 during his freshman season, knocking in 18 runs and stealing eight bases. As a sophomore, Locklear survived a slow start and has knocked in twelve runs in the team’s first 24 games, while starting every contest in the outfield. As a veteran presence, and a solid left-handed bat, Locklear will likely be a valuable asset to Coach Nick Davey and the 2014 Dutchmen.
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