DURHAM, N.C. – The Duke baseball team has elected four captains for the 2014 season in senior Jordan Betts, redshirt senior Ryan Deitrich, senior Robert Huber and redshirt junior Mike Rosenfeld.
“We are proud to announce our captains for the 2014 season,” said head coach Chris Pollard. “On behalf of the players and coaches, I want to congratulate each of these fine representatives of Duke Baseball on this tremendous honor. Any time you are voted to a captain position by your fellow teammates, it speaks to the respect you command within the team dynamic.”
A 6-3 native of Wilmington, N.C., Betts has started all 164 games in his Duke career, primarily at third base. Betts picked up 2013 second team All-ACC honors after leading the Blue Devils with 48 RBI and 18 doubles. Batting mainly from the cleanup spot, he registered at least one RBI in 30 games and tagged a career-high seven home runs this past season. For his career, Betts owns a .258 batting average, totaling 49 doubles, 12 home runs and 99 RBI.
“Jordan Betts is the most experienced player on our roster,” Pollard said. “That experience uniquely qualifies Jordan to be a captain. He brings a steady, consistent approach to the field every day.”
Deitrich joins the Blue Devil roster after lettering three seasons at the University of Pennsylvania. A 6-5 outfielder, Deitrich led the Ivy League in both batting average (.382) and on-base percentage (.500) during the 2013 campaign, while also tying for the league lead in hits (55).
“Despite being on campus just a few months, Ryan has injected a much-needed energy into our team's day-to-day approach. He is not afraid to lead vocally, but backs up his word with tremendous effort on the field.”
Huber, a 6-0 right-hander from Plano, Texas, garnered his second All-ACC Academic Team honors in 2012, appearing in 16 games while tying for the team lead with 13 starts on the mound. On March 30 versus Boston College, he tossed Duke's first complete game shutout since 2004 then followed that performance with a second straight shutout, blanking then-No. 15 Georgia Tech on April 7. Huber finished the season with a 5-7 record and 4.85 ERA, picking up ACC Pitcher of the Week accolades on April 8.
“Robert Huber embodies the true spirit of a student-athlete,” Pollard said. “He carries himself with a tremendous amount of professionalism, and provides a great example to our younger guys through his work ethic and attention to detail.”
Also a captain in 2013, Rosenfeld returns to the Duke lineup after missing the final 38 games of this past season due to injury. During the 2013 campaign, Rosenfeld appeared in 17 games, starting 13 behind the plate and four as designated hitter. At the time of his injury, he led the team with a .344 batting average while also contributing seven doubles, a triple, eight runs scored and eight RBI. For his career, Rosenfeld has posted a .304 batting average, adding 18 doubles, three home runs and 41 RBI.
“Mike Rosenfeld provided tremendous leadership for us last year,” Pollard added. “Even when he was out with an injury, he was still very involved in trying to help our program get better. He has provided that same leadership through this fall.”
The Blue Devils kick off the 2014 schedule with a three-game home series against Binghamton. Duke hosts the Bearcats at Jack Coombs Field Feb. 14-16.
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