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One year removed from being named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, the Terriers' Richie
Derbak (Eastern Illinois) continues to impress with hot hitting and defensive prowess. READ MORE
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He’s known within the Ohio Valley Conference as Mr. Do-it-All – and with reason. The Eastern Illinois star has started everywhere from first base, to second base, to catcher, to even pitcher in his short collegiate career. And while making his rounds across the diamond, the Pre-Season All-OVC pick is hitting .330 this season to guide his team to a 16-15 record.
 Derbak, a Lebanon, Illinois native, is second on the Panthers in batting average, hits (31), RBIs (24) and doubles (8). He has also put together a 1-1 record in four relief appearances, holding opponents to a .143 batting average in 6.2 innings pitched. His 1.35 ERA also ranks second on the team.
During the 2007 season, Derbak hit .320 in 43 games to earn Second Team All-OVC honors as a freshman – the first to do so at EIU since 2004. His successes also led to a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American selection, an impressive feat for such a versatile defensive player. Despite the constant positional changes, the 6’1, 180-pound sophomore committed just two errors in 118 defensive chances during league play. While at Trenton-Wesclin High School in Illinois, Derbak finished runner up in the state tournament his senior year. He also earned a selection to the All-Star team as a shortstop and pitcher, as well as a 2006 Belleville News-Democrat Player of the Year accolade. Derbak’s success should come as no surprise, however, as baseball truly runs in his family. His father, Richard, played DI baseball at Missouri University, while his uncle played at Southern Illinois. The 2008 season will serve as Derbak’s first stint with the Terriers. ### |
