August 7, 1998

UCLA's Garrett Atkins, who played for the Cotuit Keetleers this summer, narrowly missed winning the Cape Cod League batting crown. Atkins finished the season at .38345 (51-133) while Mississippi's Robert Kielty, who played for the Brewster Whitecaps, finished the season at .38410.

Atkins, despite being the third youngest hitter who played in the Cape Cod League this summer, finished second in the league in hitting. Atkins' average was .047 points higher than the third place finisher - Larry Bigbie of Ball State - who posted a .336 average. Atkins' .383 batting average was the highest among all players who were true freshmen in 1998. In fact, the next highest average by a true freshman was .313, posted by Auburn's Dominic Rich.

Despite arriving with Cotuit late due to UCLA's quarter system, Atkins led his team in batting average (.383), hits (51), RBI (25), doubles (11) and tied for the team lead in home runs (three). It is ironic that Atkins batted .383 because that is the same average he recorded with UCLA this past season. Atkins always batted third or fourth in the lineup and started at third base and first base for Cotuit. His spectacular play earned him a start for the western division all-star squad at DH on August 1.

How Impressive Was Atkins' Batting Average?

Atkins' Batting Average: .383 (51-133)
Combined Batting Average Of All Other True Freshmen In The Cape Cod League: .236 (632-2677)
Combined Batting Average Of All Other Players In The Cape Cod League: .240 (3389-14111)

UCLA's Chase Utley and Atkins were two of the four true freshmen in the league who batted above .300. Utley played for the Whitecaps and batted .304 (34-112) with a home run, triple, five doubles and nine stolen bases. Utley began the season at shortstop but struggled there and was moved to third base and first base until finding a home at second base, where he played great defense. He was the team's primary cleanup hitter. Utley's team began competition in the playoffs on August 7, but Utley left the team to begin summer school at UCLA. The Whitecaps missed Utley as they scored just two runs in each of their two playoff games and lost the series, two games to zero.

UCLA's Jack Santora, who played with Atkins on the western division all-star squad, was 2-2 with two walks in his last game of the season to propel him into the league's top 10 list for batting average. Santora batted .308 (33-107) with a home run for the Hyannis Mets. He scored 21 runs in 30 games. Santora played stellar defense at shortstop and did an exceptional job as the team's leadoff hitter.

Atkins, Utley and Santora batted far above the league average. All league players combined batted .242 (3449-14244).
Combined Batting Average Of Atkins, Utley And Santora: .335 (118-352)
Combined Batting Average Of All Other Players In The Cape Cod League: .239 (3322-13892)

UCLA's Chad Cislak finished the season with a 2-3 record and two saves to go along with his ERA. He pitched 24.2 innings and allowed 17 hits while striking out 17. He made 18 appearances, the highest total on his team. Cislak returned to his home in Arizona after his team was eliminated from the playoffs.

UCLA's Matt Pearl played for the Orleans Cardinals and batted .184 (14-76) with a home run, three doubles and six stolen bases.