Eastern Kentucky University Athletics

2011 (Junior): Emerged as one of the top power hitters in the conference and was named a first team All-OVC outfielder after batting .337 and leading EKU with nine home runs, 44 RBI and a .547 slugging percentage … after being pigeonholed as a designated hitter his first two seasons in Richmond, he was given a starting job in the outfield in 2011 and ran with it, starting 56 games in left field, recording a .944 fielding percentage and recording three outfield assists …played his best ball against OVC teams, hitting .375 against conference foes with two doubles, two triples, five home runs and 18 RBI, and smashing a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the ninth in a game one win over Morehead State on April 16 that propelled the Colonels to a three-game sweep over the Eagles … blasted a pair of home runs and drove in four in a game three win over Southeast Missouri on April 3 … two days later, drove in four more runs in a home win over Marshall … continued to be a prolific run-producer over the summer as he was named a New England Collegiate Baseball League Western Division All-Star after leading the North Adams Steeplecats with 27 RBI.

2010 (Sophomore): Started 42 games at designated hitter and batted .292 with six home runs, 11 doubles, two triples, 27 RBI and 33 runs scored …played his best ball against OVC opponents as he batted .322 with four jacks during conference play …went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, four RBI and two runs scored against High Point (March 12) … batted 7-for-13 with three home runs, six RBI and five runs scored during a three game series with conference foe Morehead State (April 17-18) … his leadoff double in the top of the ninth rallied the Colonels to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Murray State on the first day of the OVC Tournament (May 27).

2009 (Freshman): Named to the OVC All-Freshman team after leading all EKU freshman in batting average (.361), triples (6) and slugging percentage (.524) … also scored 40 runs, drove in 30 runs, smashed three home runs and stole 10 bases … his five triples were fourth in the OVC … was inserted into the lineup as a designated hitter seven games into the season and never relinquished the role … was second on the team with a .444 batting average with runners in scoring position … blasted a triple in his first collegiate at-bat against Bowling Green State (March 8) … went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored against BIG EAST opponent Connecticut (March 13) … batted 2-for-3 with three RBI and three runs scored against conference foe Morehead State (March 29) … continued his strong play against OVC opponents when he went 3-for-3 with an RBI, three runs scored and three double against SEMO (May 8).

High School Accomplishments: Named first team all-state his senior year after hitting .468 with seven home runs, 18 doubles, six triples and 53 RBI ... also went 3-1 on the mound with a 2.20 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 20 innings of work ... injured most of his junior season but still compiled 15 hits and drove in 17 runs ... named a team captain both his junior and senior seasons ... as a sophomore, he earned honorable mention all-state honors after hitting .502 with three home runs, 15 doubles, six triples and 38 RBI ... he was also named all-area as a pitcher after going 4-3 with a 2.30 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 33.1 innings of work.

Personal: Born Oct. 15, 1989 … son of Kelby and Terri Daniel ... majoring in general studies.


Get to Know Jacob Daniel ...

One interesting fact about yourself: I once caught a shark with my bare hands in the shallows in Florida

What is currently playing on your iPod: “This Town" by OAR

What is your favorite inspirational quote: “Life's an occasion ... rise to it" or "Today I give my all for Eastern Kentucky"

Favorite movie: Rookie of the Year

If you could have dinner with three people, they would be: Matthew McConaughey, Robin Williams and the Most Interesting Man in the World

Favorite food: Steak or ribs

Three things on your “bucket list” are: Swim in the Bioluminescent Bay in Puerto Rico, find lost treasure and marry the perfect girl

What are your pregame superstitions: jam out, tape my wrists, kiss my cross and ball out

Plans after baseball: Let God open a door for me and be brave enough to walk through it

What do you want to accomplish before your career at EKU is over: I want to be a champion and I want to have a game where Coach Stein says to me afterwards "Nice baserunning ... "