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The Mount Vernon Nazarene College baseball program has signed a catcher from the state of Kansas to join the Cougars for the 2002 season.
D.J. Crocker, a native of Olathe, Kansas, posted a .446 batting average as he led Olathe South High School to a 13-7 record in 2001. In 20 games, he recorded 29 hits, four doubles, 10 runs batted in, and 22 runs scored. A team captain, Crocker was an All-Sun Country Honorable Mention selection in 2001.
"D.J. is a great fit for our program," said MVNC head coach Keith Veale. "He embodies the academic, athletic, and character qualities we aspire to have in our program. He has some flexibility on defense that will provide a couple of options for us. Initially, his catching experience will be valuable to next year's club."
In addition to playing baseball, Crocker is active in his church youth group. He was a member of Student Council in 1999, and he was given the Rob Jones Memorial Scholarship for his leadership on and off the baseball field.
"I chose to attend MVNC because I wanted to play baseball at a Christian college," said Crocker of his college choice. "After considering several other Christian colleges, the Lord made it clear to me that Mount Vernon is where I belonged."
MVNC posted a 35-16 overall record in 2001 as the program notched its eighth straight 20-win season. The Cougars also advanced to the championship game of the NAIA Region IX Tournament for the third straight year and the semifinals of the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament.
