James Madison junior outfielder Kellen Kulbacki (24), Clemson senior first baseman Andy D’Alessio (23) and Vanderbilt sophomore third baseman Pedro Alvarez (22) were the nation’s top three returning home run hitters from 2006, but none ranks among the top 10 this year as the college season swung into April. Kulbacki and Alvarez, both with 10, are knocking on the door of the top group, but D’Alessio has produced only three homers.
Two unlikely candidates have ascended to the top of the leader board at the midpoint of the 2007 season. Louisiana Tech junior outfielder Brian Rike, who had eight homers a year ago, and Texas sophomore outfielder Kyle Russell, who had 10 but was on the rebound from a disastrous season last summer in the Cape Cod League, share the national lead with 17. But nipping at their heels with 13 is a familiar face, Florida senior first baseman Matt LaPorta, who led the nation with 26 homers. He has been on a recent home run tear after hitting 13 all of last year.
Following are the nation’s top 10 home run hitters through games of Sunday: |
|
| Top 10 Home Run Hitters, 2007 |
| 1. |
Brian Rike, of, Louisiana Tech |
17 |
|
Kyle Russell, of, Texas |
17 |
| 3. |
Matt LaPorta, 1b, Florida |
13 |
|
Brandon Waring, 3b, Wofford |
13 |
| 5. |
Allan Dykstra, 1b, Wake Forest |
12 |
| 6. |
Danny Bomback, 2b, Florida Atlantic |
11 |
|
Corey Brown, of, Oklahoma State |
11 |
|
Charlie Kingrey, of, McNeese State |
11 |
|
Clint Robinson, 1b, Troy |
11 |
|
Brett Wallace, 1b, Arizona State |
11 | |
| -- Allan Simpson |
|