TicketsOct. 15, 2011
CINCINNATI – Former University of Cincinnati baseball players Chris Hamblen and Kyle Markle each won the 2011 Diamond Club/Alumni Home Run Derby in their respective divisions Friday evening at Marge Schott Stadium.
Hamblen earned his third home run derby crown in the position-player’s division, while Markle won the pitcher’s division.
Hamblen (1999-2002) was a two-time All-Conference USA performer. In addition to earning Freshman All-American honors in 1999, Hamblen was a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award – an award given to the top collegiate catcher – in 2001 and a semifinalist in 2002. His 15 home runs and 66 RBI in 2002 rank sixth on UC’s single-season home runs and RBI charts.
During his Highlands (Ky.) High School and UC career, Hamblen was drafted by three Major League Baseball teams – the Chicago White Sox (1998, 18th round), San Francisco Giants (2001, 35th round) and Texas Rangers (2002, 13th round). He played four seasons in the Rangers farm system.
Markle (2002-2005) was named a 2002 Freshman All-American after posting a 6-2 record with a 4.74 ERA with 29 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. His 68 career appearances place him ninth on UC’s all-time list.