BASEBALL: Harriss, Gentry honored as ASC East Coaching Staff of the Year

LONGVIEW – LeTourneau head baseball coach Robin Harriss and assistant baseball coach Aaron Gentry were honored by the American Southwest Conference along with five of their players at the conclusion of the season earlier this month.

Harriss and Gentry shared the ASC East Division's Coaching Staff of the Year award with coaching staffs from Louisiana College and UT Tyler.

"I'm honored to be recognized by fellow coaches [from the ASC East]," Harriss said.

In his fifth season as LeTourneau's head coach, Harriss guided the YellowJackets to a 19-21 record, their best finish under his tutelage. The YellowJackets' 19 wins were the most by a LeTourneau squad since the 2003 season, when the Jackets went 21-21.

Led by ASC East Division Newcomer of the Year Garrett Methvin, the YellowJackets set five-year bests in eight different statistical categories, including five pitching categories. The YellowJackets recorded a team ERA of 4.85, a 13-year low.

"This honor is a testament to the work put in by Coach Gentry and our players," Harriss said. "A huge amount of gratitude goes out to the players for playing the way we did – in a way that was selfless and God-honoring."

The YellowJackets were in contention for one of the ASC East's four playoff berths up until the final weekend of the season. LeTourneau's seven conference wins in 18 games were the most since 2006, and was a five-game improvement from last season.

"The baseball team had a good season and narrowly missed the ASC playoffs under the leadership of head coach Robin Harriss and assistant coach Aaron Gentry," LeTourneau athletic director Terri Deike said. "I am very proud of the coaches, for being recognized by their peers, for the work and dedication they give to LeTourneau University baseball."