2010 (Junior): Had a breakout season as he started 53 games and batted .324 with 14 doubles, 46 RBI, 44 runs scored and, after hitting exactly zero home runs in his first two seasons in Richmond, 12 home runs … led all returning Colonels with a .605 slugging percentage and will be relied upon to provide middle of the lineup power again this season … one of EKU’s most efficient base stealers (8-of-9 in 2010), proficient bunters (five sacrifice bunts in the past two seasons) and prolific fielders (made one error all season while playing all three outfield positions) … emerged as an offensive threat on the Colonels’ spring break trip as he went 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and three runs scored against UNC Greensboro (March 9(, 2-for-3 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base against North Carolina A&T (March 10) and 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBI against High Point (March 14) … delivered the game-winning single with two outs and a full count in the bottom of the 12th against Eastern Illinois (March 27) … powered EKU past Marshall as he went 3-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored (March 31) … collected a career-best five RBI in a win over East Tennessee State (April 6) … is the only current Colonel with a postseason home run as he belted a solo shot against 2010 OVC Pitcher of the Year Lee Henry during EKU’s loss to Tennessee Tech in the OVC Tournament (May 27).
2009 (Sophomore): Appeared in 39 games and started 24 of them … batted .295 with 23 runs scored, nine doubles and two triples … also stole eight bases …went 2-for-5 with a run scored against BIG EAST opponent Connecticut (March 13) … batted a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in a conference game against Austin Peay (March 22) … had his best game of the season at Miami (Ohio) when he went 4-for-7 with two RBI, five runs scored and two doubles … led the team with three sacrifice bunts.
2008 (Freshman): One of two Colonels to be named to the OVC All-Freshman Team …Started 49 games in left field as a rookie … third on the team and ninth in the OVC with 13 stolen bases … finished the season with a .248 batting average … drove in 27 runs, scored 21 runs … went 3-for-6 with two stolen bases in his first game as a Colonel against Bucknell (Feb. 23) … compiled three hits, two runs scored and an RBI in a win over Bradley (March 1) … went 6-for-12 with two runs scored and seven RBI in a three-game series with Morehead State in March … ripped a clutch two-run double into the gap in left center in the first game of the series, tying the game at 2-2 … helped EKU defeat Dayton with a 2-for-4 performance that included two runs scored and an RBI (May 13).
High School Accomplishments: An all-around athlete from Crystal Lake, Ill. where he excelled both in the infield and outfield … as a freshman, he was awarded the Most Valuable Player award …The following year, as a sophomore, Faidley was named Rookie of the Year … during his junior campaign, he hit .305 with 27 RBIs, 11 extra base hits and 15 stolen bases …This past summer, Faidley showed why he was one of the most sought after players in Illinois, hitting .415 with 25 RBIs, 18 extra base hits and 20 stolen bases … Faidley was invited to the Sunshine Showcase and Top Prospects Showcase from Perfect Game, where he is ranked as one of the top 300 players in the country … participated in the Northwest Suburbs Showcase, voted on by high school coaches in the area … coached by Keith Dunn.
Personal: Born Sept. 15, 1988 … son of Rick and Jean Faidley ... majoring in homeland security, minoring in criminal justice.
Get to Know Ryan Faidley …
One interesting fact about you: I used to compete in bowling leagues back in the day
What is currently playing on your iPod: Nothing. I listen to my radio
What is your favorite inspirational quote: “The action of a play frequently consists of a test, or crucible, for the characters, in which their true nature is defined. This test involves some sort of conflict”
Favorite movie: Crash
If you could have dinner with three people, they would be: Vladimir Guerrero, Albert Pujols and Aziz Ansari
Favorite food: Peanut butter
Three things on your “bucket list” are: Go to every Major League Baseball ballpark, learn to swim and go to Australia
What song gets you pumped before games: “Sierra Leone” by Mt. Eden
What are your pregame superstitions: Eating Wheaties Fuel
Plans after baseball: I want to play baseball for as long as I can, then maybe work in the emergency management field
What has been the biggest highlight of your EKU career: Walkoff hit in the bottom of the 12th - two outs, bases loaded, full count – against Eastern Illinois
What do you want to accomplish before your career at EKU is over: Win the OVC and get to an NCAA Regional
Watch Faidley lace the game-winning single against Eastern Illinois last year:
