MARTIN, Tenn. - Rising junior Jordan Owen is a Rebel with a cause this summer. The University of Tennessee at Martin outfielder is playing for the New Market Rebels in the Valley Baseball League and leads the team in nearly all offensive stats as the all-star break approaches Saturday, July 10.

Owen will represent the New Market (Virginia) Rebels Saturday in the league's all-star game and represent the Valley League Wednesday night at Bethesda, MD against the Cal Ripken League All Stars.

"This is a different experience for me," Owen said. "I never played in a summer league where I stayed with a host family."

Owen, a native of Kansas City, Mo., lives with UT Martin teammate Trey Karlen in the home of Charlie and Melissa Dodge in New Market, about 20 miles from Harrisonburg and 90 minutes from Washington, D.C.
Owen says a typical day involves working in a local vineyard from 8 a.m. to noon.

"When we get home they have lunch ready for us and then we get a chance to rest before we go to the ballpark to play."

The schedule appears to be conducive to Owen's production for the Rebels. After 22 games, Owen is sporting a team-high .345 batting average with a team-leading .437 slugging percentage. In fact Owen leads the team in batting average, games played and started (22-22), runs scored (16), doubles (6), hits (30), at bats (87), slugging percentage and on-base percentage (.410). He's second on the team with four stolen bases, 10 RBI and one triple.

"I do not know how to explain it," Owen said. "I am just playing ball."

While most of the numbers are similar to his production stats this past spring at UT Martin, one stat is noticeably missing - home runs.

Owen has not hit one home run this summer for New Market. This past spring he set a new UT Martin single-season record with 18 homers.

"I have almost hit a couple out this summer, but that's not important for me as long as I can get a hit and get on base."

Owen and Karlen landed on the New Market Rebels late this spring after talking to then UT Martin assistant coach Joe Scarano who served as the head coach for the Front Royal Cardinals, another one of the 12 Valley League teams.

"We told coach we wanted to play in a good league and he gave our names to several teams."

Owen and Karlen are scheduled to play Valley League leader Front Royal tonight (Thursday, July 8).


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